The Germans Jumped on It for Their Own Propaganda Purposes

The Germans jumped on it for their own propaganda purposes. They were right there with camera crews and reporters immediately. And indeed, in the initial German news bulletins, they stated, obviously falsely, that the Campbell town had not even reached its target. Then the Campbell town blew up. On the 29th, reconnaissance Spitfires from Cornwall were able to confirm that. It was only then that the British press picked it up as a really good story. There was a press conference attended by 150 or more journalists and by Rob Ryder, the naval force commander and Sam Beatty, the Campbell town captain.