U-BOAT CAPTIVES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 January 1940, Page 9

U-BOAT CAPTIVES

THANKS FOR HOSPITALITY. HATED SINKINGS AT SEA. LONDON. December 19. Captured U-boat men, cheered by British sailors as they were taken ashore at a Scottish port on Saturday, told their captors that they were glad their share in Germany’s submarine warfare was finished. On the notice board of one of the two warships which brought them in was a sincerely worded message of gratitude and appreciation to the Englishmen from the German U-boat commander. It thanked the English officers and crew for their wonderful hospitality. Most of the 43 prisoners, in talks with.the British sailors, had revealed anti-Hitler views, and one of them told a new-found British seaman friend, "I hated every minute of the time we were at sea sinking defenceless victims."

So happy was the atmosphere on board the British warships that, when the Germans were niarched down the gang-plank at the dockside to a waiting motor-bus and armed escort, the crews lined their decks and gave one hearty farewell.

“Cheerio, see you in Berlin.” And the big fair-haired German sailor to whom the remark was addressed grinned broadly and shouted back "0.K.” There were other shouts like "Byebye. Fritz. All the best,” and “Keep smiling, boys, see you some day.” While on board the British warships the Germans had told how they had been living for weeks on scanty rations and under miserable conditions. Often their meals consisted only of scraps of poor quality bread. For long periods they were out of touch with their base, and lived a hunted, fearful existence.

While on board, one of the prisoners said, "Well, you've got us. Bui wo got. one of your ships not long ago." giving the number of the vessel. “Is that so?” said a Briton, smiling; “that is the very ship yon are in now,”