GALLANT WORK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 December 1940, Page 5

GALLANT WORK

ACHIEVEMENT OF GREEK SUBMARINE LARGE SUPPLY SHIPS SUNK. PERILOUS ADVENTURES IN ADRIATIC. (British Official Wireless.) . RUGBY, December 29. A communique issued by the Greek Ministry of Marine gives further details of the achievement (reported yesterday) of the Greek submarine Papanicolis, which an Christmas Eve attacked a strongly-protected Italian convoy in the Adriatic, which was transporting troops and equipment from Brindisi to Valona. Three large vessels totalling between 25,000 and 30,000 tons were torpedoed and sunk. The submarine was accorded a tremendous welcome when it arrived at its base after amazing adventures. The vessel crept to the entrance of the Bay of Valona and sighted a convoy of six ships, the largest of which was of 15,000 tons, and was escorted by six destroyers. The Papanicolis found itslef inside the destroyers' screen, fired four torpedoes, and dived to 170 feet as the crew heard explosions indicating that three of the torpedoes had struck. Aircraft and destroyers raced from the shore, rocking the Papanicolis with bombs and depth charges. Currents carried the submarine northward, and it came to the surface after five hours. It was unable to steer because of currents, and found itself off the coast of Dalmatia. The submarine later submerged for between 30 and 40 hours north of Valona, being hunted by planes throughout, and finally reached an lonian island and regained its base on December 26.