SUBMARINE WARFARE

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20906, 11 September 1939, Page 7

SUBMARINE WARFARE

GERMAN HIGH COMMAND’S DENIAL MERCHANTMEN SWEPT FROM HIGH SEAS TORPEDO AFTER TORPEDO HIT BRITISH STEAMER (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Sept. 10 The Ministry of Information states that virtually all German merchantmen have been swept from the high seas. Many have been captured, and frequently the crews scuttled others before abandoning them. It is emphasised that the safety of the crews has invariably been secured. The German High Command, says a message from Berlin, denies that it ordered unlimited submarine warfare, and says the German Navy has been commanded to abide by international law. At the peak of the unrestricted U-boat campaign in April, 1917, the Allies lost 373 ships during the month. A message from Lisbon says Thomas Jones, a petty officer of the British steamer Manaar, which was sunk in an encounter with several submarines, said the men found themselves staring straight at a submarine while torpedo after torpedo hit the Manaar. He thought the fifth torpedo broke the vessel in half. The submarine then submerged.

FIGHTING SUBMARINES SUCCESS OF BRITISH METHODS GALLANT SPIRIT OF MEN MENAGE WILL SOON DECREASE (Omcliti Wireless) (Received Sept. 11, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 10 Though the Admiralty has announced no definite results of tho counter-measures against __ U-boats beyond possible success against one submarine and a mine-layer, hunting flotillas of British destroyers and light craft are still active. During the first week of the war His Majesty’s ships of all types have been at «ea all over the world in their task of maintaining the sea communications of the Empire. They have been particularly busy in the waters round the British Isles and in the Atlantic. While we incurred the loss of various merchant ships through submarine operations, many more enemy merchantment have been captured or sunk or driven to take refuge in neutral harbours in many parts of the world. The convoy system which the Admiralty announced long before the war as one of our essential defence measures will soon be in operation, with the result that the sinking by U-boats will tend to decrease. It must be realised, however, that the convoy system cannot he put into operation immediately on the outbreak of a war, with ships scattered all over the face of the globe. It takes some time for the system to become fully effective. Intense Naval Activity During the first week of this war there have been no major naval operations to be recorded. On the other side of the picture, however, there has been intense activity on the part of smaller craft, particularly destroyers, escort vessels and patrol craft. They like the minesweepers, have had little rest. Many of these smaller ships are manned by reservists, men drawn largely from the merchant navy and the fishing fleets. Like the men of the Royal Navy Itself they are giving magnificent and tireless service. Thousands of other reservists, including many pensioners and veterans of the last war, are serving in the larger ships of the fleet. Most of these thought that they had finished with the sea for ever, and were engaged in many professions and callings ashore. They have come for-

MORE SHIPS SUNK MEMBERS OF CREWS INJURED VESSELS ELUDE ATTACKS GERMAN MERCHANTMEN ASHORE (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. cipyrtrnt. (Received Sept, ii, li. 5 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 10 The Ministry of Information, in a communique, states that the British steamers Winkleigh and Goodwood were torpedoed and sunk. All members of the crew were rescued. Several of the Goodwood’s crew were injured. The captain’s legs \vere broken. Submarines chased the Warwick Castle and the Chloris, hut they eluded the attackers. The German merchantmen Baldur and Yegesack are reported to have gone ashore on the Norwegian coast. The Ministry of. Information states: “It appears that German submarines are operating far afield, but our attacks and counter-measures are unremitting.” GERMAN ZEPPELIN SAID TO BE BLOWN UP (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Sept. 9 The Star publishes an unconfirmed report that the dirigible Graf Zeppliri was blown up at Friedrichshafeu by sabotage. It recalls a message from Zurich on Monday stating that a violent explosion had been heard in the direction of Friedrichshafen. ward to serve again, and their keenness and spirit of self-sacrifice have been truly wonderful. Gallantry of Merchantmen Navy But what particularly stands out is the gallantry of the officers and men of the merchantmen navy, who, in unarmed ships, are carrying on their tasks of feeding and supplying this country in the face of the submarine peril. Their spirit has been no less magnificent than that of the British merchant seamen of 1914-18. To these fine men the people of Britain and the Empire have good reason to be grateful. Their spirit is unquenchable