THE RAIDERS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 70, 3 January 1941, Page 5

THE RAIDERS

CAPTIVES IN PACIFIC.

NARRATIVES BY SURVIVORS.

GOOD TREATMENT RECEIVED SINKING OF THE RANGITANE SHELLING AND TIME-BOMBS.

United Press Association—Copyright.) SYDNEY, January 2.

How the vessels Komata, Turakiua, Rangitane and Holmwood were dealt with by German raiders was described by survivors among the 496 men, women and children rescued from the island of Emirau, where they were landed by the Germans on December 21. Two raiders opened fire on the Rangitane, which was severely shelled, said a survivor. Fires were ' started and there were casualties. When the raiders had taken their prisoners aboard, the liner -was sunk by shelling and time-bombs. According to one account, 12 or 13 lives were lost.

A British officer from another ship, referring to good treatment by the Germans, said that the Nazis admitted that the Altmarck episode was a had blunder which had produced a most unfavourable world reaction. They added that the mistake would not he repeated. When the survivors landed at Emirau, stores were put ashore, and also a boat with which they could make contact with Rabaul. The stranded crews rigged this boat, hut it was not needed, as a local resident made a boat available.

The largest of the raiders, a vessel of about SOOO tons, still lias 200 British captives aboard. Among the ships’ officers now in Melbourne are the chief officer of the Rangitane (Mr F. H. Hopkins), the chief engineer of the Komata (Mr Angus Mcr donald) and Captain J. H. Miller, of the Holmwood. >

The prisoners were kept aboard the raider for a considerable time and were then put ashore on the lonely island of Emirau. They were given some food, hut this was not sufficient to last them for any great length of time, and shortage of supplies was becoming acute when their rescue was achieved.

While aboard the raider the prisoners were fed on black bread and raw bacon.

After being put ashore at Emirau they were warned by the captain of the raider that they were not to endeavour to secure help for 24 hours. They were also informed that if they were again captured on board an armed merchantman they would be shot.

OFFICER BURIED AT SEA FULL HONOURS BY GERMANS SYDNEY, January 2. Mr Lloyd 1 Hughes, second officer of the Komata, who died of injuries received when the ship was shelled by a raider, was buried at sea from the German ship with full honours. This was related by the master of the Ko~ mata (Captain TV. Fish), who himself suffered shrapnel wounds ini the leg. “The German doctor operated oit Mr Hughes, but I was told later that he had no chance of living,” said Captain Fish. “They allowed me to be with him when he died. The captain of the raider asked me if I would like to bury Mr Hughes at sea. I told him I would.

“There , was no Australian flag aboard, but the Germans matte one by adapting a Red Ensign. Members of my ship lined up before the flagdraped body and the Germans formed a guard of honour. I then read the burial service. The Nazi flag iw'as flown at lialf-mast.

“Afterwards the captain shook hands with us and said lie was sorry Mr Hughes and the mate had been killed. [He said that one day the war would be over and he hoped we would meet again as friends.”