GERMANS ESCAPE FROM SPAIN

Hokitika Guardian, 28 March 1917, Page 3

GERMANS ESCAPE FROM SPAIN

Daring Exploit in Small Boat Captured in Channel The daring exploit of twenty Germans who put to sea from Vigo, Spain, in a small sailing boat, and after a month of battling with stormy weather and heavv seas while endeav-

ormg to reach the Belgian coast were oaptured by a British destroyer, is described in the Spanish journal El Liberal. The party consisted of eleven German officers interned in Pamplona, 195 miles north-east of Madrid, and nine others, including four officers of the Goshen, a naval doctor, a law Btudent, and two sailors—none of whom wa3 interned —and a sergeant interned at Alcala) de Henares, 1? miles north-ea3t of Madrid. According to statements made by the Germans in the vessel which captured them the schsme for escape from Spain was organised in August, Lieutenant Carl Koch being the prime mover. Prom Pamplona he got in touch with the German Vice-Consul at Vigo, who promised all possible support and put him into communication with the officers of two German vessels, which have sheltered in the bay since the beginning of the war.

Through Spanish intermediaries the little sailing ship Virgen del Socorro was purchased. Lieutenant Koch, who obtained a pass to journey some twenty miles away, travelled with several companions by motor-car and train to Vigo on October 5 while Sergeant Dietrich Gratschuss, in company with others, travelled from Alcala on October 2. To allay suspicions the Virgen de Socorro made a voyage fco sea and returned to Vigo on October 5 or 6 and moored alongside the German steamship Wehrt. The fugitives, who had scattered themßelves over the hotels and lodging-houses, set out one by one for the Wehrt, and immediately began transhipping provisions and storea from her to the Virgen del Socorro. At 2 a.m. on October 7 this work was completed, the little vessel was towed outsido the bay, and then under foil sail, turned her prow to tho northwest, The little vessel was painted white —a ruse, it was thought to disarm suspicion. Sho was so small that all the 20 men could not be on deck at the samo time, GERMAN FLAG. It was a perilous voyage, and for long days the little boat was the plaything of the waves. The' suffering of those on board in the terrible weather encountered was intense. On October 24 they found themselves some distance west of Bantry, in the south of

Ireland. There the storm increased in violence and tbs ship, battered by seas, seemed likely to founder. After a consultation it was decided to abandon the original plan of going round the British Isles, and the ship made for the Channel in the hope of making the Balgiau or Dutch coasts. After six terrible days the coast of Cornwall was eighted, and on November 4 the Germans found themselves in sight of the lslend of Lundy, at tho entrance to the BVs'ol Channel. From there, proceeding slowly, they contrived tc circle the Sciily Islands, turning by the L'zard cm November 6. The daring adventure nearly succeeded, for the little ship eluded the patrols until ou November 8 the Rtmsgaie examiners came into the pm'.nrp, when the Germans were prac caliy within sight of the Belgian soast,

Throughout the whole of her journey the Vi'gsn del S ootro had flown the Dutch Hag, but when challenged by the English patrol vessel the Ce:man white ensign was displayed. She was brought to Ramsgate, where the captives, were landed. Cndsr escort the prisoners were taken to a restaurant on the sea front, but the proprietor, although a heavy sufferer through the 7/b r, refused to provide food for the enemies. Eventually they were taken to the sailors’ home and given food. Their vessel is still at Ramsgate.