U-BOAT PERIL

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 85, 11 April 1945, Page 6

U-BOAT PERIL

Will Continue Till Elimination Of Germany GALLANTRY ON BRITISH SUB. British-Official Wireless Rec. 1.30 p.m. RUGBY, April 10. The continued seriousness of the U-boat war was again emphasised by the First Lord of-the Admiralty,. Mr. A. V. Alexander, speaking in London to-day. ; The -enemy still attached great importance-to U-boat warfare, he said. • It would be with us in all its perils until the final elimination of Germany.. . "The simple fact. is,", he added "that if we were to.lose command, of the North Atlantic, We should all starve." -- -,'- ' ' - - Mr. Alexander quoted what he said was an incredible story from a submarine which had been attacked in Far Eastern waters. It was the case where Petty-Officer Telegraphist Harmer, acting on his own initiative, clambered out of the conning tower on to the saddle tanks which were" awash, and began to plug the hull with blankets and hammocks. All the time shells ripped into the submarine and the blast from one tore off Harmer s boot and burned his feet, but he continued to hold the plugs m place, even though his feet were bleeding and blistered, until he .could no longer hold on and was eventually washed away, but was fortunately rescued by his colleagues., Altogether this submarine fought off 25 intense air attacks by -Japanese seaplanes, bombers and fighterirombers. The crew shot down one seaplane, damaged at least four other aircraft and survived nearly 50 bombs varying from 501b .to 10001b.