GRIM STORY OF RANGITANE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 2, 3 January 1941, Page 6

GRIM STORY OF RANGITANE

Women Killed In Raider Attack

SHAMBLES ON LINER

Blast Of Shells Brought Fire, Confusion And Death

(United Press Association.—Copyright.—Kecd. noon.)

SYDNEY, this day

Six women were killed aboard the New Zealand Shipping Company's liner Rangitane when she was attacked by a-jfcider. Another woman died of wounds later and was buried at .sea. This was revealed by survivors who landed at an Australian port to-day. The rescue ship also brought nearly 500 survivors from other ships sunk in the Pacific. Among thle survivors are women whose faces are disfigured by shell splinters, children with their legs shattered by shrapnel, and men with all manner of injuries. Grim stories were told of fire, confusion and death when shells made a shambles of the Rangitane. Nurse's Terrifying Ordeal. Miss Mundie, a British Red Cross nurse who was returning to England aboard the Rangitane, said there were 46 women aboard the ship. The raider was encountered early in the morning of November 26 about 320 miles off East Cape. "I was in the centre of the vessel, which was blown away. I was trapped like a rat and there were flames all around. Then another explosion occurred below and heavy fumes filled my cabin. My clothes began to sizzle, and eventually were burnt off. "I tried to find a place of escape through the ship's side. Two other women and a man on either side of my cabin were killed. I resigned myself to my fate. Suddenly I heard another woman's feeble cry for help. Then a man appeared through the flames in a section of my cabin which was not aflame. He spoke in calm tones and told me to walk to him. How he got me away I do not know. He saved my life." Terrible Injuries To Face. Miss Mundie suffered terrible facial injuries and a heavy bump on the head, but is bearing up satisfactorily. Miss P. Matthews, a passenger to England, another Rangitane survivor whose face is severely pitted by shell splinters, said: "We give thanks, that we are alive. Where was so much-misery and suffering aboard I was afraid some would not survive." Mr. A., C. Millar, of Invercargill, said a shell from the raider apparently intended to pass over the bow of the Rangitane fell on the forecastle. Another blasted the stern, gun off its base. Within an hour a tender from the raider emerged from the darkness with a full complement of self-important kriegsmarine in all the Nazi showiness. \ They wore light automatics around their waists and the tender carried a machine-gun. A Souk About " Adolf/' "On the third day aboard the raider its commander summoned all members of the* Fleet Air Arm Contingent," said Mr. Millar. "They had visions of a shooting squad, but after taking possession of their personal belongings, and especially photographic materials, their captors turned the discussion to the war. The German officers were unable to understand why England .wanted to continue war which 'England had provoked.* They worked propaganda 'good and solid,* but it ran off like water over a duck's back. The Germans conducted a daily bulletin over the raider, relayed in various parts of the ship, and issued J: coloured versions of Nazi successes. The same relay supplied music at meal times, a highlight of which was a good recording of 'Adolf—the rag which tells how. Adolf lias bitten off more than he can chew. This piece was played'right through to the amusement of New Zealanders, who were convinced the raider officers and even the Gestapo officials imagined it eulogised J Hitler." . " Germany in the Right." An officer of the U.S.S. Company's Komata, after, emphasising the generally courteous treatment the Germans extended their captives, said they discussed the war, about which they had the . ■ fixed idea that Germany was in the right. Nevertheless, all were ;f very anxious that the war should end, if only on account of the appalling loss of life and destruction of property. Most of the German officers spoke good English. The captain of one raider', he said, spoke broken English. The latter had intended to shell Nauru Island indiscriminately; but when told by the Komata's men that heavy loss of life would ensue he readily agreed to concentrate on the phosphate plant and buildings. One German officer apologised for shelling the Komata and added: "You would have done the same." "Von Luekner a Windbag." When asked whether von Luekner was in charge of one of the raiders a German first lieutenant replied: "No, he is just a j/: bag.of wind." • 'I Among survivors interviewed to-day was a steward, James Hart.