SUBMARINE ATTACK ON U.S. DESTROYER

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 211, 6 September 1941, Page 7

SUBMARINE ATTACK ON U.S. DESTROYER

EN ROUTE TO ICELAND

Torpedoes Fired Miss Their

Target

United Press Association.—Copyrigtit. Rec. 2 p.m. WASHINGTON, Sept. 5. President Roosevelt, at a Press conference, said that the American destroyer Greer was attacked more than once during daylight and good visibility, while on the way to Iceland with mail for the American troops. The destroyer was definitely on the American side of the ocean and carried an identification number and the American flag. Mr. Roosevelt indicated approval of the action of the Greer in dropping depthcharges.

He added that a challenge had been out—and had been accepted instantly. Such dangers to freedom of the seas must be eliminated, "and when I say eliminated, I mean eliminated," declared the President, with emphasis.

Officers of the Greer stated on arrival at Reykjavik, that they believed the U-boat was at least damaged. Instruments indicated that the destroyer was over the submarine when depth-charges were dropped. The attack occurred in deep water. The U-boat may have sunk without a trace.

British aircraft assisted the Greer to repel the attack.

Congressmen took the news of the attack calmly. They expressed the view that it was the type of incident to be expected. Newspapers rushed extra editions into the streets and the radio announcers interrupted programmes to give the navy communique. The immediate reaction of most Americans was strong indignation at a brazen attack on a United States ship.

Naval circles conceded that the attack might have been launched by a German submarine under the impression that the Greer was British. The Greer is almost identical to the 50 destroyers transferred to Britain. If the destroyer followed the usual technique, in racing at high speed along the torpedo's wake and dropping depth charges all the way there is a strong possibility that the submarine was destroyed or damaged.

Commenting on the attack the official spokesman at Berlin said that Wilhelmstrasse was particularly interested in the statement distributed by a British news agency that the "attack was a long-awaited incident." It was hardly necessary to elaborate on the statement, said the spokseman.

Another spokesman said that some American interventionists were exaggerating the importance of the happening with the object of turning it into a longed-for incident of the Atlantic which would range America actively at war on the side of Britain.

Torpedoes Missed Vessel

Earlier reports issued by the United States Navy Department, said that torpedoes were fired but they missed the vessel, which was not damaged.

The Greer counter-attacked with depth charges, but the result is not known. There is no indication of the nationality of the submarine.

The Greer was completed at the end of 1918. and is of 1090 tons. She has a speed of 35 knots.

Reuter says well-informed circles in Washington state that the submarine was a German craft.

United States newspapers to-day give a great deal of space to the incident. The New York Times says: "The attack by the submarine brings us squarely up against the question of using United States guns to protect American ships." The newspaper adds that the question also arises whether the United States should use her full strength now with Britain or wait to fight at the convenience of Hitler.