SPLENDID BAG.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 309, 30 December 1940, Page 7

SPLENDID BAG.

GREEK SUBMARINE. Three Italian Supply Ships Torpedoed. United press Association.—Copyright. (Reed. 12.30 p.m.) LONDON", Dec. 29. Three Italian supply ships were sunk in the Adriatic Sea by the Greek submarine Papanieolis last week. The submarine encountered a convoy of six ships escorted by destroyers, which were carrying troops and material from Brindisi to Valona, and attacked the convoy with torpedoes.

It successful in sinking three of the vessels, representing a total of between 2.">,000 and 30,000 tons. Although the escorting destroyers pursued the submarine and dropped depth charges it escaped undamaged, and has now returned safely to port.

The commander of the submarine has been promoted and decorated- Decorations were also awarded to officers and members of the crew.

The Papanieolis was accorded a tremendous welcome on arrival at its base nftc.r its amazing adventures, says a message from Athens. The vessel crept to the entrance to the Bay of Valonu on December 25 and sighted a convoy of six ships, the largest a vessel of 15,000 tons, escorted by six destroyers. The Papanieolis found itself inside the destroyers' screen hut tired four torpedoes and dived to 170 feet as her crew heard explosions indicating that three of the. torpedoes had struck. Aircraft and destroyers raced from the shore, rocking the Papanieolis with bombs and depth charges. Currents swept the submarine northwards, and it came to the surface after live hours, being unable to steer because of the currents. It found itself off the coast of Dalmatia. The submarine later submerged for between 30-40 hours above Valona, during which time it was hunted by planes. It finally reached lonian Island and regained its base on December 20.

G.IFT OF JIOMBER.

U.S. AIRCRAFT COMPANIES. (Rocd. 2 p.m.) RUGBY, Dec. 20. A Hudson bomlter named "The Spirit of Lockheed and Vega" has just arrived in Britain from America. This machine, presented by the managers and employees of the Lockheed Aircraft Company and the Vega Aeroplane Company, is a gift to the British nation.

SUBMARINE'S FATE?

LONDON, Dec. 29. The Bremen radio says the British submarine Seal, which was damaged off Sweden several mouths ago, was captured by the Germans and has been recommiesioijed for the German Navy.