LONG PURSUIT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 December 1941, Page 3

LONG PURSUIT

OF GERMAN TANKER TEAM-WORK BY BRITISH AIRCRAFT. VESSEL SUNK OFF SPANISH - COAST. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, December 25. Details of the 30-hour pursuit and final sinking of a German tanker on Spain are contained in the following bulletin: ~ , , . ■ “The tanker was first sighted out m the Atlantic at breakfast time on December 23, by a Sunderland from an R.A.A.F. squadron. The Sunderland attacked, bombs straddling the tanker. An explosion sent up a tall column of water, completely obscuring the vessel. The tanker at once Ibst way and began to trail oil. “One member of the Sunderland s crew reported that as the flying-boat went into the attack, he noticed a suspicious swirl in the water which might have been caused by a U-boat submerging after refuelling from the tanker. “The pursuit was continued by other long-range aircraft of the Coastal Command, including Catalina flyingboats. One Catalina encountered a Heinkel float plane, which apparently had been sent to escort the tanker, but fought off its attack. “Early on the morning of December 24 a Whitley picked up the‘tanker again. It was steaming at reduced speed. The Whitley attacked. As the explosions subsided the tanker was seen to be slowing down still further, and the trail of oil which had marked its course throughout the night suddenly extended. It was obviously in considerable difficulties. “The chase was then taken up by a Beaufort from a squadron which has frequently taken toll of enemy shipping during recent weeks. The pilot found the tanker in the afternoon and hit it with a torpedo.”