Submarine Commander Tells How He Spared the Bremen

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 301, 21 December 1939, Page 8

Submarine Commander Tells How He Spared the Bremen

(British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Dececmber 18. The name of the submarine which sighted the German liner Bremen is now revealed as H.M.S. Salmon. It has returned to port, and verification of the details has been secured from Commander E. O. B. Bickford of the circumstances in which, on account of the regulations of warfare at sea, the great German ship was allowed to proceed unscathed. It was just gettihg light in the morning and the British submarine was on the surface when an enemy aircraft appeared. The submarine dived deep immediately. About an hour later tht engines of a large ship were heard on the hydrophones. The submarine came to periscope depth to investigate and saw the Bremen steaming fairly fast, but it was at once obvious that she would pass well within torpedo range. In fact, it would have been impossible for the submarine’s captain to have missed such a great target—had he decided to fire on it—but he knew that under International law merchant ships must not be sunk except in the case of persistent refusal to stop when summoned, and he had instructions from the Admiralty that the war at sea was to be conducted in strict accordance with international law. The British submarine, therefore, set about carrying out the procedure required of it under international law. In spite of the fact that enemy aircraft were known to be in the vicinity, it came to the surface and made a signal by the daylight signalling lamp to "stop instantly.” The Bremen took no notice. The submarine commander at once gave the order for the gun to be uncovered so that a shot could be fired across the Bremen’s bows. Even then, the liability for making provision for the safety of the Bremen's very large' crew would have devolved upon the submarine. This was impossible under the circumstances, and a warning shot was never fired. German aircraft appeared overhead and the submarine dived. In being forced to dive by tl\t aircraft, the submarine could easily have fired six, torpedoes into the Bremen as she dived, for she was already in attacking course, but the dictates of international law could not be complied with, so the Bremen was allowed to proceed on her way unharmed. It will be noted that these facts contrast strongly with the highly divergent German statements.