FIENDISH ACT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 247, 26 July 1940, Page 5

FIENDISH ACT

FRENCH VESSEL TORPEDOED. CARRYING REPATRIATED MEN. VERY HEAVY LOSS OF LIFE (United Fress Association. —Copyright.) (Received This Dav, 10.30 a.m.) LONDON. July 25. The First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr A. V. Alexander) announced in the House of Commons that the enemy last night torpedoed the French ship Mekncs, which was one of a number used for the repatriation of French naval officers and men, nearly 1300 being aboard the Mcknes, which was flying the French flag, with French colours painted on the deck and sides, fully illuminated. A German motor torpedo boat gave the passengers and crew five minutes to get off. The Mekncs tried to signal the name, hut she was fired on. at; each attempt.

The Mekncs was then torpedoed and sank in four or five minutes. British naval units and aircraft were ordered to go toi the scene immediately and about 1000. survivors are;reported.' It is not known how many French lives were lost in this deliberate callous attack. The number of dead may reach 300.

Mr Alexander said the French representatives were informed of The intention to repatriate the men concerned before the - Mekncs 1 sailed for 'Marseilles. Special care was taken to make the. ship’s neutrality apparent-. Even the navigation lights Were'burning 1 . " , ’Mr Alexander added*.- “I have' just heard the German High Command admit responsibility" for this sinking, because the Berlin communique to-day stated ■■■(A German speed boat* jßank an 18,000-ton 1; ’ 'merchantman ■ joff Portland.’ ” : '..

Nine hundred and fifty survivors of the Mcknes landed at : Weymouth, 150 being seriously injured and taken to hospital. The Mcknes left Southampton, for Marseilles. The torpedoing' occurred at 10.30 last night. ' The Lord Privy Seal (Mr C. R, Attlee) said that the War Cabinet would take steps to see that the French people were .fully informed of the outrage. —British Official Wirlcss.

TORPEDO KILLS SEVERAL MEN.

HERi SIGNALS IGNORED. OVER IGO MEN IN HOSPITAL. (Received This .Day, 12.50 p.m.) LONDON, July 25. “A torpedo killed several men outright,” said a survivor of the Mekncs. “Wo had barely time to launch the boats. Hundreds jumped overboard and clung to rafts until they were picked up.” - . An officer on the bridge of the Meknes at 10.30 heard motor engines and saw the wake of a. strange vessel. Machine-guns immediately fvrgd on the Meknes, which stopped and whistled to indicate she had stopped and then signalled : “Who are you?” There was no reply, whereupon the Meknes signalled her name and nationality several times. The machine-gunning continued, after which heavier fire from a small-calibre gun rendered unseaworthy the port lifeboats. The Meknes was torpedoed at 10.55 and soon sank. British warships landed t-lio French officers and men, ]2O officers and 41 men being taken to hospital.

THE GERMAN REPORT. - •

ATTACKS MADE ON SHIPPING, j CLAIM OF DOWNING AIRCRAFT; (Received -This*-Day, IT. 10 avm.) » ' BERLIN, July *25.' < A cUmm'uniquc sfatbs: “Oiie of our speed-boats sank, an IS.OOO-tpn armed merchantman, off ,' ].. . ~

“German fighters attacked shipping off the east coast of Englanti. also industrial plants, in. the south-ea&t of England and in Scotland. Three merchantmen received direct hits, and 4. wore probably lost. Our ’planes attacked a Vickers -factory at -WoybridgoV destroying four ’planes- on the'ground. They also bombed, industrial; plants at Great Yarmouth and Glasgow.

“Violent dog-fights occurred during an attack on a convoy, resulting' in six enemy ’planes being shot down. “Enemy planes penetrated North Germany last night. The enemy yesterday lost 10 planes. Six of ours are missing.”