CHILD VICTIMS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 September 1940, Page 6

CHILD VICTIMS

OF NAZIS’ LATEST INFAMY Ship Torpedoed in Atlantic IN STORM AND FAR FROM LAND DEATH ROLL OF 294 INCLUDES 83 CHILDREN (By Telegraph.—Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, September 22. As a result of one of the most appalling- sea tragedies since the nut break of the war S 3 evacuee children, aged between five and 16 years, have found a grave in the storm-swept Atlantic. Their ship was torpedoed on September 17 in the midAtlantic when on its way from a British port to Canada and it sank in 20 minutes in a rough sea. The children al! came from England or Wales. In several eases the child victims represented entire families. The attack occurred at about 10.30 p.m. when most of the children were in bed. A torpedo struck the ship in the part, allotted to them, killing many outright. The remainder were brindled to the deck, scantily dollied for the ordeal of many hours on ral'ls and in lifeboats, some of which were waterlogged, with high seas raging. Many, separated from their parents and escorts, slipped to death from the arms of strangers who vainly sought to shield them from the storm. Only seven of the 90 children aboard survived the ordeal. The shi,p carried, besides the evacuees, 101 passengers and also a crew of 209, of whom 294 perished.'

The last woman to leave the sinking ship actually stepped off the deck into the sea, where her fellow-passengers helped her to a raft. All the survivors paid a tribute to the Navy. “When we were taken on board,” said one, “they took off their shoes and gave ns their own warm socks. We were given hot baths, brandy and sailors’ clothes while ours dried.”

A GALLANT BOY

A little boy whose heroism was praised by all in the boat from which he was rescued was Colin Richardson, from Monmouthshire, whose cheery voice was always audible above the moaning of those suffering from exposure. A passenger said that the boy had to watch women and babies die and was obliged to witness bodies dropped overboard. He stood in watei’ to his waist and did not once complain. (Continued on page 9.) NAZI TAUNT TALK OF “EFFICIENT PROPAGANDA.” (Received This Day, 9.5 a.m.) BERLIN, September 23. Informed Berlin circles, commenting on the sinking of the evacuee ship, declared; “It is strange that the ship supposedly sunk on September 17 was not reported lost till the night before the King's address. It looks like efficient propaganda.” MORE NAZI COMMENT ONLY ARMED MERCHANTMEN ATTACKED LONDON, September 23. The following comment was made by a Berlin spokesman on the sinking of the British ships carrying the children to Canada: “German naval and air units attack only armed merchantmen. This is our answer to the outburst from England designed to squeeze tears from the eyes of the world and to bring the United States of America into the war.”