Source: File: Blücher underway.jpg,
2015. SMS Blücher From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. [online] Available at:
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMS_Bl%C3%BCcher> [Accessed: 27 January
2015].
Source: File: The
sinking Blücher rolls over on her side.jpg, 2015. This photo was taken from the
deck of the British cruiser HMS Arethusa. The german armoured cruiser SMS Blücher
sinks after receiving multiple hits from British warships at the Battle of
Dogger Bank on 25 January 1915. From Wikipedia, the free
encyclopedia. [online] Available at:
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMS_Bl%C3%BCcher> [Accessed: 27 January
2015].
With full details yet to break,
Into official news, was how a battle
Had taken place in the North Sea
Whose story had already spread,
By a ‘hundred tongued' rumours.
A German report had by then,
Emerged to say how two British
Destroyers had been sunk -
But without any such confirmation
Were classified as a 'Berlin fable.'
It was known that one British
Destroyer was damaged by a shell
To cause injury to the boilers’ -
Preventing steam power to move.
Was then towed by another
Destroyer, to a North East port,
To make all repairs - unofficial
Reports had said four men killed,
Along with one man wounded.
A mist that had been drifting
Across the North Sea, changing
As Sunday turned to improved
Weather - according to a viewpoint
Gave a day 'Ideal for a naval scrap.'
Then advances of German ships
Came under into sight of a British
Squadron, patrolling the seas -
The sighted enemy started a retreat.
The royal navy began their pursuit
Making gains on the German ships
The British crew became enthused
And hurried to man their stations.
The presence of British destroyers
Offered protection of attacks
By submarines to the battle cruisers.
An account was made to state
How the navy, at top speed, chased
Their targets - getting them in range
With the British Battle Cruisers,
Opening fire, over destroyers heads
Easily getting their gun range fixed.
While some first few shots fell short
After which was made hit after hit,
Every time - one witness stated his
Disappointment for a good scrap,
With the German side lacking pluck.
It was a short time when the Blücher
Was put out of action - lying in water
For a time - when at point of heeling
Over to fire parting shot, as bulk
Of the ship dropped over into the sea.
A boat from one of the destroyers,
Gave launch to pick up survivors.
But as they did so, enemy craft
Let bombs drop onto the rescuers
'Bombs are not nice things,'
A crewman gave understatement.
To add how airman had bad aim.
Than bombs fell no closer to them
Than a hundred yards from boat.
Seen as typical German practice
To scupper rescue of stricken men.
With the sea full of enemy crew,
Struggling for survival, the Blücher
Began to go down - the gunnery
Of the British was seen to have
Battered her all over, as in water
Floated heads arms and limbs,
Parts of clothing and dead fish.
Among rescued, a German stoker
Considered himself very lucky
Not to have perished like many
Other men - glad to be within
British Hands – well fed, clothed
And conveyed safely into port.
The stoker gave a confirmation,
That an east coast English town
Was set as the raiding squadron
Target - a remark to the German
Said he would not be in any more
Raiding -
a reply in good English
Was good job too – revealing how
He had an aunt in Tottentham.
by Jamie Mann.
Anon.,1915. A Stern Chase - Splendid Gunnery - A
Hit Every Time - Destroyers in the Fight. The Daily Telegraph,
[online] 27 Jan. P.9.
Col.5. Available at:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11362853/Daily-Telegraph-January-27-1915.html
[Accessed: 27 January 2015].
Mann, J., 2015. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal
communication, 27 January 2015).
#WW1 #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #ww1centenary
#worldwarone #worldwaroneremembered
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