SUNK FROM THE AIR

Evening Star, Issue 23375, 19 September 1939, Page 9

SUNK FROM THE AIR

FATE OF GERMAN SUBMARINE SOUTH AFRICAN PILOT'S FEAT GRAPHIC EYE-WITNESS ACCOUNT (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 18. (Received September 19, at 11 a.m.) A graphic eye-witness account of the bombing and sinking of a Ger- . man submarine comes from a young South African officer s6rvitjg with the R.A.F. The destruction of the submarine was closely observed by the pilot from the attack to the last air bubble which rose to the surface. It was the first submarine with which the pilot had been in action.

“I was sent out on submarine patrol,” he said. “On my return trip I sighted a submarine on the surface two miles away. It was travelling at about 12 knots in an easterly direction. I took cover in a cloud in order to approach the submarine from astern. As I came out of the cloud flying at 1,500 ft I tried with my binoculars to identify the submarine.

“ Flying closer, I saw those characteristics which made me sure she was German. To make absolutely certain I fired some rounds of ammunition near her tc give her a chance to identify herself. She did not do so. '

“ I proceeded to dive, at the same time firing the front gun at someone wearing a white hat who was standing on the conning tower. He disappeared and the submarine started to dive. By the time I dropped my first salvo of bombs, the nearest of which hit the water from 15yds to 20yds directly ahead of the submarine, she'was half under water. The explosion of the bombs blew her back to the surface. That gave me time to turn round, and I then carried out an attack from the port beam.

“ The nearest bomb of my second salvo landed 6ft to the side of the conning tower. It was a direct hit on the submarine’s port side. There was a colossal explosion, and the whole stern lifted out of the water. She dived into the sea at an angle of 30deg. For 20 minutes afterwards I remained over the spot watching the large whirlpools caused by escaping air coming to the surface of the water. By that time I assumed the submarine to be out of action on the bottom of the sea, and 1 returned to my base.” ESCAPE FROM ESTONIA INTERNED POLISH SUBMARINE TALLIN, September 18. (Received September 19, at 10 a.m.) A Polish submarine, interned here, escaped at 3 a.m. It eluded fire from Estonian shore batteries and warships. IN SWEDISH WATERS POLISH SUBMARINE INTERNED STOCKHOLM, September 18. (Received September 19, at 10.30 a.m.) The Polish submarine Rys sought refuge on the island of Sandhamn and was interned. -The Rys left Gdynia some days ago, but dived when a German warship appeared. The submarine continuously dodged enemy craft by submerging until the oxygen was exhausted and the diving gear became unworkable. The crew were exhausted and several were taken to hospital. SINKING DF THE INVERLIFFEY ALLEGED TO BE CARRYING CONTRABAND . LONDON, September 18 (Received September 19, at 10 a.m.) The captain of the Inverliffey. which was sunk on September 11, pointed out to the. submarine’s commander that the ship was flying the flag of neutral Ireland, to which the commander replied that the Inverliffey was carrying contraband, and so he was sinking her, ANOTHER ATHENIA VICTIM LONDON, September 18. (Received September 19, at 12.55 p.m.) Mrs Rose Griffin, of Toronto, died at Greenock from injuries received in the Athenia sinking. GERMAN SUBMARINE. DESTROYED FIRST FRENCH SUCCESS PARIS, September 18. (Received September 19, at 11.10 a.m.) It is officially stated that .the French navy sunk the first German submarine since the beginning of the war. MAJOR-GENERAL FREYBERG . RETURNS TO THE ARMY (Independent Cable Service.) LONDON, September 18. (Received September 19, at 11 a.m.) Major-general B. C. Freyberg, V.C., who retired two years ago to contest a Parliamentary seat, has returned to the Army. [Major-general B. C. Freyberg was born in London and educated- at Wellington College, New Zealand. He served in the Great War with marked distinction, at the Dardanelles and in France. He was wounded nine times. He received many decorations, including the V.C.]