FRENCH LINER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 July 1940, Page 5

FRENCH LINER

TORPEDOED BY GERMANS WHILE TAKING REFUGEES BACK TO FRANCE. HEAVY LOSS OF LIFE REPORTED. The torpedoing of the French liner Meknes, while carrying French subjects from Britain to France, was announced by Mr A. V. Alexander, First Lord of the Admiralty, a Daventry broadcast states. About 950 survivors were landed at a British South Coast port yesterday. Mr Alexander said there were 1300 Frenchmen on board. They were returning home as they did not wish to take any further part in the war. The Meknes was one of several French liners being used for the repatriation of officers and men. The French Government was told in advance of Britain’s intention to send the men in French ships. The Meknes left Southampton on Wednesday for Marseilles. She was flying the French flag, had the French colours painted on her sides and at night was fully illuminated. She was stopped by a German motor torpedo-boat and the passengers and crew were given five minutes to take to the boats. The liner was then torpedoed and-sank in four or five minutes. Mr Alexander said he was afraid the number of deaths might be as many as 300. The Meknes left Southampton for Marseilles. The torpedoing occurred about 10.30 last night. Mr Attlee said the War Cabinet would take steps to see that the French people were fully informed of the outrage. _____ RUTHLESS ACT DELIBERATE & CALLOUS ATTACK. STATEMENT BY FIRST LORD. (Received This Day, 10.5 a.m.) LONDON, July 25. The First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr A. V. Alexander, in the House of Commons, announced that the enemy las night torpedoed the French ship Meknes, which was one of a number used for the repatriation of French naval officers and men. Nearly 1,300 were aboard the Meknes, which was flying the French flag. The French colours were painted on the deck and sides and the steamer was fully illuminated. A German motor torpedo-boat gave the passengers and crew five minutes to get off. The Meknes tried to signal her name but she was fired on at each attempt. The Meknes was then torpedoed and sank in four to five minutes. British naval units and aircraft weie ordered to go to the scene immediately About 1000 survivors are reported, it is unknown how many French lives were lost in this deliberate and callous attack. The number of dead may reach Mr Alexander said the French representatives were informed of the intention to repatriate the men concerned before the Meknes sailed for Marseilles. Special care was taken to make the ship’s neutrality apparent. Even navigation lights were burning. Mr Alexander added: “I have just heard that the German High Command admit responsibility for this sinking because a Berlin communique today states: ‘A German speed boat sank an 18,000-ton merchantman off Portland. Nine hundred and fifty survivors from the Meknes have been landed at Weymouth and 150 who were seriously injured were taken to hospital.