SECRET WEAPON

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 303, 23 December 1941, Page 3

SECRET WEAPON

AUSTRALIA'S HINT CONVOYS AND BOMBERS (0.C.) SYDNEY, Dec. 19. A hint that a secret weapon (p being used to protect convoys from long-range bombers is contained in a letter from a former member of the "Sun's" editorial staff who is now a pilot in the R.A.A.F. He says: "Convoys have a beautifully effective way of dealing with longrange aircraft. I believe there are many Nazi airmen (now dead) who got a dreadful shock when they flew their bombers over convoys and found what was waiting for them when they were going to drop their eggs. They didn't drop their eggs —but they dropped their bundles when they found out! I can't give you details until I get back—but you 11 probably know in due course. "Just ducked out for a moment to see the fun as some depth charges were going off somewhere in the convoy—but couldn't see 'em. Must be way down the back somewhere Probably another mug U-boat located by those uncanny detectors before he could get near the convoy. If .he is still alive, I'll-bet he's praying hard between his curses. If he's anywhere near those depth charges, he's a gone coon! They were shaking our ships from at least four miles away!

"Two nights ago we had our first fun. Two U-boats were detected lying in the path of the convoy and we made a detour around them—all unknown to the U-boats. We passed within about 10 miles of them—just outside their under water-listening gear. Incidentally we have some wonderful ways of finding out just where those babies are! That day we had our first evening aircraft warning—but he didn't come near us. We can find out about these chaps long before they see us.

"The trip across the world's most dangerous sea is almost over, and if this is danger I shall die of boredom in this war. From what I can see, the Battle of the Atlantic is past history and friend Adolf has shot his bolt!"