LONE RANGER

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 208, 4 September 1940, Page 2

LONE RANGER

SUBMARINE FACED FLEET AND SCORED HITS A stirring narrative of the adventures of the British submarine Salmon (now overdue and presumed lost) in the North Sea last December is told by a petty officer in a letter to his sister. "We're off again, ploughing the ocean, seeking U-boats. "Incidentally we got one about four days ago. It was pretty terrible ! "It was a bright sunny afternoon, and she was chugging along the surface about two miles ahead. "We got into position and let go our tinfish in quick succession. "One got her amidships and cut her clean in halves. She went down to the bottom. "We came to the surface looking for survivors. There Avere none. Saw Enemy Fleet. "About a week later we saw part of the German Battle Fleet steaming towards us. "The skipper went mad with joy.. The attack was a madman's dream of glory, but it came off. "The leading vessel was the Leipzig. She was the most heavily armed, and the captain decided to attack her first. "We fired at her., then, quickly changed our course and fired our remaining torpedo at the vessel following. "We knew we hit the Leipzig and believe Ave hit the other. (The Salmon has been credited with the Leipzig and' Bluecher). "Immediately after firing avc sank deeper and changed course. Then Ave stopped our motors and lay silently on the bottom. "Enemy ships Avere dashing all over the place dropping depth charges to keep us doAvn. "Five times Ave plainly heard ships dashing o\'er us, but none dropped a charge within half a mile of us. -'We caine to the surface at night and signalled the Admiralty, Avho instructed us to stay there."