EVENING LEDGER-PHILADELPHIA, .SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1017 iMi -P I 1 -'"IS, IV,, . i " fcj , "(SH &,, v..: "." M,flK' c R." H . vi , s h v. sK mm. rVl! 8 t ' i 4 ICowrtuht. !?, Putl - Lttgrr tompn?ii. AM rlohtt resrr td ) The true story of the Rattle of Jutland, claimed by both the English and the Germans ns a tlctory, is printed in the English language here for the first time. 1. Krug, one of the butzow survivors, prepared a pamphlet, which wa printed at The Hague In Dutch, telling his experiences on board Admiral Hippcr's flag ship before It went down a ictim to British marksmanship. Ho vivid nrc the recollections of the frightful tccnes during (he battle that the nuthor lltcs through the harrowing details again; he scorns to be fighting the battle oter once more. This booklet has net it been printed in the German language. The Kening Ledger has secured by cable the exclusive rights to this pamphlet in the United States and Canada. By P. KKUG, a Sun it or fTIHE North Sea lies quiet before us. A light breeze blows from -tho not th. The weather is dismal, and it seems as if any moment might bring rain, but the weather remains constant. Far away on the horizon the water is in fierce commotion and is being cut by a dgrk object. A torpedoboat painted black is hurtling through the waves as if it were chasing a prey. Others follow behind, and very soon more boats of the cruiser class nppcnr on the horizon. Suddenly a gigantic smoke plume is observed. It is the npproach of a fleet. Five large battle cruisers are coming nearer. At the head is the proud cruiser Lutzow acting as flagship. On board is the staff with Admiral Hipper. Behind the Lutzow follow the battle cruisers Dcrfflinger, Seydlitz, Moltke and .Von der Tann, surrounded by light cruisers and torpedoboats. The staff of the Lutzow is in the armored conning tower. The officers aro bent over their maps and aro discussing the course which they will have to take in case of danger. In the center of tho conning tower is the compass, before which the wheelman is standing directing the war monster. Around the guns on the fighting decks and in tho fighting towers sailors are smoking, read ing or playing cards. Only one man is standing near each gun with the receiver of the telephone attached to his head in order t.. warn the whole crew by a single signal in time of danger. Between decks things look different. There the firemen who have just come off watch aie standing or lying around in tho hammocks. Every one is in his own place and waiting for an ' eventual alarm. In the firerooms we sec standing before the fires the stokers, black and diity with coal dust, their bodies half naked. They aro working double time, for the vessel is steaming fast and all strength must be exerted in order to furnish the required head of steam. First Signs of the Enemy But let us go back to the conning tower. If is five o'clock in the afternoon and the officers arc still bent over the maps. Sud denly a door is thrown op an and an orderly enters. He halts before Admiral Hipper, and as the Admiral looks at him askance lie hands him a strip of paper, a Marconi cablegram. The Admiral reads the cablegram, his face assumes a serious .look, but calmly and with assurance in his voice he directs his officers and says: "Gentlemen, the scoutboat signals enemy vessels. Sound the alarm immediately!" The officers leave quickly, every one goes to his post and the next moment the alarm gong sounds in even the most remote spaces of the ship. ' "Alarm!" No other word has the power to rouse more com motion and excitement on a warship. Determination is shown in every one's face. They all know that the next moment may carry death with it. A last thought of wife and children, of father and mother and then only a feeling of duty to be fulfilled, a feeling bo strong thut it replaces all other thoughts. The five German cruisers are now in fighting formation. The first enemy torpcdoboats appear on the horizon, followed by three enormous battle cruisers. Suddenly the Lutzow roars and trembles. It seems as if the iron colossus will break in twain. The first broadside of tho heavy gUns has been discharged. The telescopes of the staff officers observed the result through the portholes of the conning tower. One of the older officers approaches Admiral Hipper and in saluting him announces, "Square hit. A large cruiser shot on fire." Tho Admiral thanks him and gives other orders. The happy result is quickly communicated to other cruisers, and after a few seconds they also belch out their heavy broadsides. But, on the other side, the English cruisers have not been idle, and their shots, which at first were too short, are now coming very close and' are throwing up huge geysers all around the poor Lutzow. There are three English battle cruisers and about thirty torpedoboat destroyers in sight. Will they risk it to engage the five German cruisers? But look! look! Far off on the horizon smoke plumes become visible. British battleships of the heaviest caliber arc coming to the rescue. Their heavy gunfire can now be heard. The thoughts of the Lutzow's crew aro now centered on tho question, "What shall now be the fate of the five German cruisers against cuch a superior force?" The English shots are thundering against our armor plates, but we are answering them in German fashion. It is 7 o'clock and no help for the German vessels is yet in sight. Every one still shows the same determination, for nobody is ready to believe that such a huge, modern cruiser with its heavy armor plates could be seriously damaged. The Lutzow Struck by Shell Suddenly a shudder passes through tho ship. The colossus is moved bodily aside and all that is not made fast tumbles down. The first bull's-eye! The torpedo penetrates tho foreship and bur tows through the heavy armor plates, finally to stop well insido the vessel. A terrific explosion results. Iron, steel, wood, nil hinds of metals, human limbs, ship plates torn asunder and enormous puddles of blood are mixed together, and all of this calmly illumi nated by the electric lights, which curiously were undamaged. Hera and thero above tho chaos a mangled human body pro trudes, but the next moment it tumbles back amidst the ruins. Two decks below in the Diessel dynamo room life is not extinct. That compartment has not been hit, and twenty-seven human beings in tho prime of their lives have been spared. But the compart ment is shut Off from all others, for the automatic water-tight doors have been operated. If the ship docs not return to some port or other they are doomed. Amidships there is a state of commotion and disorganization, for, after having recovered from the first consternation, every one is trying to reach the forward end. This is heavy work, for the bulkheads and doors have been completely distorted by the explosion. However, tho attempt is successful. ' A younff assistant doctor, equipped with smoke helmet, is ahead. am order to render first aid to the victims. Among the dead ho Wmi 111 wJSrStKBSSi I'lti i .TJJ , i mjT "TMgL 7 1 jh ,n i T , PsShB aartWi-teftWiVfi ?rava.v.s 3 JV'tY t&mif & Zi.r j-.iz.tv.'.wii. taMlMWJ &&. &. 188 Jfr'VM r :-ii W.-j. KT. Vtf &m w$m ' finds a oung coHpague. who bad been stationed in the fatal section Something stiri in one of the corners of the bnthroom. Tho doctor approaches quickly. Before him lies a fireman with his back entirely torn open. He whines softly. Tho doctor gives him an injection. Ho gives orders to carry the wounded man to tho dressing room in tho nfterdeck. Twenty hands get busy and slowly tho procession moves thither. More wounded follow. In tho meantime, the Germans guns havo not been silonccd, nnd on the other side two big cruisers can bo seen sinking, while a third is completely enveloped in smoke and flame. A new broad side, again directed against tho Lutzow, falls short, but a torpedo boat which passes close by tho Lutzow is the victim. Tho torpedo boat has disappeared. Only a few piccc3 of wreckage and a ship boat cut in hqlf are floating in its wake. It is now half-past 7 nnd the enqmy cordon gets closer and closer. The Lutzow and Seydlitz aro lying with their bows deeply submerged. Both hate suffered heavily. The other cruisers, too, have been damaged. A small cruiser is sinking. The lieutenant commander of the Lutzow, who is standing in the crow's nest, sud denly discovers the long expected. On the horizon a fresh German fleet nppcars. "Heaven be praised!" falls from his lips, and with a strong voice he announces through tho telephone, "Tho second squadron is in sight, north-northeast!" In tho conning tower one order now follows tho other, and signals are sent in all directions, for it will now bo necessary to break through with the big battle crui.sers so as to give tho German fleet a free view to prevent being hit by their own fire, and by clever maneuvering, notwithstanding tho fact that the Lutzow again is struck several times, they succeeded. Tho forward part of the ship is now thoroughly on fire, but quick hands and minds arc already busied in extinguishing tho blaze. Two of tho heavy conning towers aie also put out of action and some of tho gun ports are entirely destroyed; but retiring is out of question. Sights on the Lutzow Horrible Again the big guns roar, and the shots in quick succession are raining against tho armor plates. Shell splinters are flying all around and what is hit by them is lost. The scenes on tho Lutzow in the meantime have become horrible, and steel nerves arc necessary to stand tho misery and nt the same time render aid where possible. Hundreds of men in tho full vigor of their lives have sacrificed themselves on this single ship. Many others, tortured by the most terrible agonies, aro lying down. Still the battle is raging. The lower decks aro dyed red with blood, and in nearly all corners mangled limbs and other parts of human bodies aro scattered. The blood emits a sickening, sweet odor, but not withstanding all this, every survivor is still standing at his post and every one contemplates that the next moment may be tho messenger of his death. Tho bow is now entirely crumpled up and completely sub merged. The heavy armor plates are distorted and in some places have doubled themselves. Carpenters and firemen are busy trying to re-enforce the bulkhead which separates the forward part from midships, but tho pressuro of the water is too great and new tolumes of water are continuously rushing through the gaps. The four propellers emerge from tho water half way, so that tho Lutzow cannot make more than eight or nine knots per hour (normal speed thirty-two knots per hour). How long will sho be able to keep it up, for tho battle is not finished at all? 'The enemy is there with strongly buperior forces, and tho retirement without additional heavy losses is not conceivable. Now, however, when German help is in sight, the fight is renewed with fresh courage. As the Lutzow has lost too much in fighting value, the Admiral decides to transfer to the Moltke, from there to take charge of the fight. A torpedoboat is called through flag signals and the single handshake given by tho Admiral to Captain Harder says more than words could express, for every commander loves his vessel. Captain Harder is ordered to save the tessel with tho survivors if possible, whereupon the Admiral with his staff leaves the damaged leviathan after waving a last fatherly farewell to those present. About a thousand yards away from the Lutzow the battleship Pommern is sinking at a remarkably fast rate. Through n squaro hit in the munition magazines a terrific explosion takes place, and tho beautiful ship goes down with all on board. Captain Harder notices this through his telescope. As it is impossible for him to render assistance, ho gives orders to Bwing tho rudder around, and slowly the Lutzow is removed from the battle line. But very soon this retiring maneuver is observed from a British cruiser, nnd tho Lutzow has not gone quito a mile before sho is struck by a broadsido of four thirty-eight centimeter guns, which have an unbelievable effect, for all four shots hit squarely. The electric lights go out completely. The rescrvo lighting plant is destroyed. Tho crew has been knocked down by the terrific impact, and everywhere groans full of pain and misery are audible. Hero and thero a small efectric pocket lantern glimmers in tho darkness. The men that can be seen in this weak light have donned gas masks, and most of them aro literally drenched with blood. A sad and terrible spectacle. The whole ship is pervaded by tho poisonous gas of the enemy's shells, and those who have not suffi cient presence of mind to make use of their gas masks are doomed to quick suffocation. It all lasts about three-quarters of an hour before electric lights aro reinstalled. Only now ono can obtain a clear idea of tho extent of tho damage caused by the last enemy broadside. One of the shells had landed squarely in tho dressing room for wounded. In the different compartments of this section there were three doctors and fifteen men of tho ambulance service, together with from one hundred and sixty to one hundred and eighty wounded. w wwwwwsPl!i!HL4r i yyBBSIBBBBBI - k " a.Bkc -Tmm. -. hi; i-- -- j b -.w. oiiWi.wvicn.BHd.wTi.Mw...j. r -ag... -iwwu. -m,- ?.' .v f Wj1J77nJKftiJBfl'gt -" 'yi ,-ijfe 3S3iP,, JFoiZ mm &2mJ2&&$ tK.4rlfM1V 5K3yZ3uWJvWfl &m v&B?&mssM& Titfi'JT" ' WW i Mil lilHiil I "?aiiP'iHtfra tmmm ttlSySffi&wrSiaKsWffl 1 Of all these only four remained to tell the sale. Thcso four were hurled into the next compartment by tho enormous nir pressure without being hurt to any great extent. All doctors, as well as the personnel of tho ambulance service, had been killed outright. Tho compartment itself looks like a rough mountain side, for not a smooth section of plate or bulkhead has been left. The floor is strewn with human remains, while a few fingers are sticking against a piece of bulkhead. On ono of the steam heaters a few skulls are lying as if they had been laid down to be dried. Against tho torn-up bulkhead a pile of entrails is lying, forming a picture too ghastly for description. A Frightful Scene of Carnage Tho second shell hits the clcctrjc workioom. Thirteen men stationed there aie killed and everything is splintered into shreds. Tho third and fourth hits land again in tho forward end, which result in the tessel submerging its bow still further, so that the propellers aie virtually completely above water, thus reduc ing the vessel's speed more and more. Tho Lutzow has now become a total wreck. Along her sides corpses are slowly floating past. The ship is now submerged from her forward end until the first thirty-centimeter conning tower. Tho other conning towers are entirely put out of action. Tho muzzles of tho guns are pointing in all directions. On the decks the corpses of the sailors in their torn uniforms aro lying between empty cartridge shells. From tho masts pieces of flags and signal lines and sections of the wireless antennae aro dangling down. The wooden deck planks aro torn loose, and tho heavy armor, cracked in many places, protrudes. If it had not been for tho lookout and the three officers standing on the bridge the Lutzow would havo appeared as the very carrier of death. Underneath the main deck and in the coal bunkers countless wounded men are suffering, but no doctor is present to offer assist ance to tho wretched people. The firemen, still able to do so, aro trying to dress wounds with dirty hands and dirty rags. Still, humor has stayed with many. On the main deck tho officers quarters are inspected, and whatever can be used is brought down stairs. Cigars and cigarettes are distributed and wine is handed to the wounded. At 3 o'clock that night the convoying torpedoboats are informed by wireless from one of their sister ships in tho same neighborhood that two English cruisers nnd fivo torpedoboat destroyers aro approaching. The captain of the Lutzow gives orders to stop, and although only three fifteen-centimeter guns have remained operative, he immediately makes up hijt mind to renew tho battle if such proves necessary. The torpedoboat which announced the danger approaches at top speed and announces that tho enemy seems to bo searching around. 'When tho captain receives this information ho cannot repress a cynical smile, for he knows quito well it is his ship that is being sought to bo singled out for total destruction. Howover, he is determined to defend his vessel to the utmost. Just now the telephone rings in tho conning tower and advises that a moment ago tho bulkhead separating tho forward compart ments from tho midships had succumbed to tho enormous water pressuro nnd that the water was now rushing midships without any means available to stop tho inrush. Orders are given to trans port all wounded quickly toward the afterdeck. Any moment the enemy may make his appearance in order to complete his work of destruction. Preparing to Desert the Lutzow Thero sounds the or&er, "All hands assemble In section forma tion on the nfterdeck!" An uproar takes place on the lower decks, for every ono knows that the last chance to save his life has now arrived. It Is impossible to carry in this short period all wounded upstairs, for they aro spread throughout the ship. Only eighteen people aro fortunato enough to bo carried up. All others that cannot walk or crawl must be left behind, and a specter of death pervades the ship. The twenty-seven men that tre locked up in the Diessel dynamo room have heard the final orders through tho telephone. Many can be heard crying out in frenzy, and several are reported through tho telephone locked in irons, having become raving mad. These doomed people, inspired by their love for duty continue their heavy tasks and manage to continue tho vessel's light supply. The torpedoboats now get busy in quickly taking over th'a Lutzow's crew, but those left behind aro doomed to 'death. After Captain Harder, tho last man leaves the Lutzow to take his station on one, of the torpedoboats. Ho consults with the commander of this vessel, and it is resolved not to leave a single fragment of the Lufow in tho enemy's hands. After the necessary measures the order "Fire!" is heard and a torpedo shoots through the dark waves toward the Lutzow. On the afterdeck seven men are run ning around in a frenzy. Evidently they have slept through it all in their state of overfatigue and have awakened too late. Captain Harder at th moment tho torpedo is fired, raise his all other sounds: "Three, times hooray for his Majesty's ship Lutzowl Hooray! Hooray! Hooray!" And hundreds of sailor throats repeat "Hooray! Hoorjlr iioorayi" ine noise nas scarcely subsided before the torpedo reaches tho Lutzow. It plows through tho armor plates mldshiis? An explosion follows and a gigantic column of smoke rises skyward Tint Rtlll flin nrmifl Knn mnncinv in ftnqttnr. A4- tn.f ln. ....- ilrf foreship dives under and the stern is lifted clean nbovo tho wattr,' so that it now emerges vertically abovo tho surface. Suddenly it vu...u.v .. uuu u.t only mima, ji;uvui ill na WUKU U IHaeiSirCII of more than a hundred yards diameter, swallowing all ssd1 everything. The four torpedoboats wait until no further trace of the Lut:o can be seen. Thoso saved are looking with deep emotion on ftii finish of their vessel, which so long had been their home. The boats' sirens emit their shrill blasts and tho engines irif set full speed ahead. Back home to tho Fatherland! But that' trip, too, is soon to bo inteirupted. The torpedoboats have hardly steamed half an hour before the alarm gong is sounded once mori Alarm! Tho two British light cruisers and the five torpedoboat destroyers have anived on the field. r Another Attack by the British i Again it is necessary to give fight to the enemy, and a few! seconds after the first alarm the guns are thundering once more.!, Shells are shrieking over the heads of the survivors and are explod-fl ing in nil directions. Luckily, none of the.boats receives a hit. 'At the same time the proper handling of the guns is made virtually impossible, because the decks are filled with people, so that thi gunners can move only with difficulty. Tho torpedoboats art : I now making an effort to escape northward at all costs. Aftel nan an nour iney succeed in outdistancing their pursuers. MU-T cellaneous shots are still falling around without doing damajw and at last all becomes quiet. 3 But thero is more fighting in store, and again the small flotilla! gets in touch with the enemy. Enemy destroyers have intercepted tho German boats in their path. It is C o'clock in the morning of Juno 1, 191G, when Germnn nnd Englishman again meet. The very flfef TYviftfcjl etinl Mnl.A.. 1 fl . 1. S A- J. '" no oni!, uiunvs u square nil in one oi ine uerman mrywi' boats on which 400 men aro huddled together, and a fifteen-centij,. meter sneii plows its way into the engine room. The main atewr piping has been destroyed nnd tho tweuty-three men in the engiatj room perish. Meam spreads throughout the vessel and slowly tV diku enu ui me dobi mis wnn water. The survivors of tho Lutzow and the crew jump overboard im, try to reach tho other vessels. Those unable to swim are dooEwSj to death. But here also true comradeship is in evidence. A firftj man is swimming around carrying on his back an unconsckmj . man with a ghastly head wound. Sailors are trying to save ftetfj young officers, holding them above water by their hair. The three German boats havo stopped dead and their crews pick up all thort ; they can reach without paying attention to the continuous rito : or sneiis poured over them by the British. Steam Is blown oi from all vessels, so that they may hide themselves in a cloud of vapor, ine ammunition of tho threo boats is exhausted, uw boat has ono torpedo left. With tho utmost caro it is placed i the torpedo tube. The distance is carefully estimnted Now ti captain orders "Fire!" and the torpedo plows through the wat as a aoipnin. Tho effect Is being watched with Intense anxiety. On tht British side a terrific explosion takes place. A light cruiser hi been hit, and tho hit must havo squarely landed in the magatIiK!. for a second explosion follows immediately and the cruiser Is bodity shot skyward. The other enemy vessels, not knowing what fere may bo opposing them, retronf . if tt,A three Germ vessels are saved. Once more the engines are turning full if, ahead, carrying their precious burdens homeward. The surviTort are standing on tho decks. Some of them havo no other covet-, mg tnan a torn shirt or trousers. Thev aro trembllnsr and snivafr ing with cold. Every ono is soaked and high seas are continaj ously washing Over the vessels. M The homeward trip thus continues for eight long hours, &k In tho afternoon at 6 o'clock the German light cruiser H. M. Regensburg is sighted. It takes over all wounded and unwouwl Hurvivors oi me lutzow, after which a courso for WIlhelrosnawM in iaKen. i A lee'J,n8 of. rellef comes over, every one, and the hop 4 seelnj the Tatherland again is revival. At 7 o'clock in the cvenW o..ny icrces ore once more announced, but these do not.aw the Regensburg, which calmlv .!. i,.. ,.,.. At t 10 o'clock the haTbor is reached, and thousands of people are IiJ w onuica w welcome tne remaining heroes. After a careful rojlcall It appears that 1003 survivors res L.ifJ'tt" T:' ..F,ve h"dred nd ninety-seven men j ,......, uuwi.K mo oatue. And those that survived? A' as they have recovered trdm th ..i--L u nnarta ZSSZSL9 ?eet 88,n to ht tl epemy aD4 "A TT "" m a rauiiLIflr tecf. tbla iimal" - S9V :fri&'v 'v-iWP, '',2wft -lr-
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