SURRENDERED

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20989, 16 December 1939, Page 7

SURRENDERED

62 BRITISH PRISONERS FROM THE GRAF SPEE FATE OF DORIC STAR Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright; MONTEVIDEO, Dec. 14 The captain of the Admiral Graf Spee and the German naval attache, both in full-dress uniform, to-day surrendered to Uruguayan officials in the Naval Prefecture 62 British prisoners from nine merchant vessels that had been captured and sunk before the British cruisers Exeter, Achilles and Ajax drove the German v/arship, seriously damaged, into the shelter of the neutral port after yesterday’s battle off the River Plate. Before they were set free, the prisoners were.forced to sign a pledge to remain on shore for the rest of the war, under penalty of death if recaptured.

Lean and unshaven, they carried shapeless bags holding their scanty belongings, and some were clutching 'lifebelts salvaged from their old ships. Their ages ranged from 72 to boys apparently under 15, and all showed the effects of their terrible day in close confinement in the bowels of the Admiral Graf Spee while the British shells pounded her but they cheered and laughed as they landed. Later they were turned over to the British Legation. The captains were identified as Captain Brown, of the Huntsman, Captain Pottinger, of the Ashlea, Captain Edwards, of the Trevanion, Captain Stubbs, of the Doric Star, and Captain Dove, of the Africa Shell. Graphic Stories At the British Legation, the prisoners described how they had counted the hits by the British guns—l 7 all told—and cheered for the attacking cruisers, although they realised they were doomed if the Admiral Graf Spee sank, because the doors of their steel cell were barred when the action began. The prisoners disclosed that the Admiral Spee left Germany before the outbreak of war, and after sinking the Clement off the coast-of Brazil on October 2, she ranged over the South Atlantic from South America to Africa. She confiscated provisions from ships before sinking them, and either imprisoned the crews or set them adrift in lifeboats. On board the German ship they were well treated, but some of the men commented that while the Germans were good sailors and friendly, they appeared more willing to seize merchant ships than to risk a fight with British or French warships. The prisoners were frequently allowed on deck, but the 62 were kept in a single room without distinction between officers and men. There was no particular discomfort, however, and the lood was adequate. Their worst experience was yesterday’s battle, in which a shell splinter struck their prison, but caused no casualties. Sinking: of Doric Star A quiet-mannered officer of the Doric Star gave one of the best accounts of the battle. “We were awakened at 6 a.m. by cannonading.” he said, “ and knew it was serious when the guards locked and barred I our doors and went to their battle stations. “We realised that a British victory might mean our deaths, but nevertheless, as the battle progressed, there was singing and cheering of the attackers. We counted 17 hits by British shells. “ You may not believe it, but several of us who were shaving when the firing began, quietly went on and finished the job. I was gargling medicine when we had a British visitor—a piece of shell tore its way into our quarters, and I swallowed all my medicine. “Our confinement area was directly under one of the llin gun turrets, and every time the guns were fired it seemed as if the whole roof collapsed. “ The grandest news ever was when an officer came down and said: ‘ Gentlemen, the war is over for you. We have just entered Montevideo harbour. ’ ”

Made Gallant Fight The officer added that most of the Germans were young men. “ I don't think they ever considered the possibility of having to fight another warship,” he said. i; They seemed to think their only job was sinking freighters. That was probably one reason why the light cruisers were able to force the Admiral Graf Spee to flee.” Captain Patrick Dove, of the Africa Shell, said the Admiral Graf Spee’s captain called him to the bridge before the prisoners were released, and lold him the cruisers had made a gallant fight. “ When people fight like that, personal enmity is lost,” said the German captain. The first officer observed: “ Those British are hard.” Another German officer remarked: “ You fellows have been our prisoners for a long time, and now it looks like our turn.” Captain Dove said the Africa Shell had been sunk within Portuguese territorial waters.