SINKING OF TWO DESTROYERS

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23322, 7 May 1941, Page 7

SINKING OF TWO DESTROYERS

EVACUATION FROM GREECE GERMANS MACHINE-GUN SURVIVORS ALEXANDRIA, May 5. Survivors of the destroyers Diamond and Wryneck, which were lost during the evacuation from Greece, tell an unforgettable story of the crew’s heroism, mingled with horror at the Germans’ machine-gunning hundreds of soldiers and sailors in the water. Six Junkers 88’s dived on the destroyers. The Diamond was hit twice and turned over and sank in a few minutes. There were about 700 soldiers aboard. Most of them were able to scramble on to floats. None of the Diamond’s officers was seen again. The Wryneck’s crew was able to launch a whaler and several floats before she sank. Commander Lane, two lieutenants, and a midshipman refused to scramble on to the float, while soldiers were still in the water. The night became bitterly cold. Commander Lane said: “I am going now. I cannot hang on any longer.” A wounded seaman held him for a long time, but all four disappeared before dawn. Earlier, many were being hauled on to the floats when the Junkers returned and sprayed bullets over a wide area of sea, ceasing only when they ran out of ammunition. The destroyer Griffin arrived after the survivors had been in the' water for 15 hours. Those picked up were mostly from the Wryneck. GREEK GENERALS DISMISSED (Received May 7, 1 a.m.) CANA (Crete), May 6. Decrees have been issued dismissing six Greek generals including General Kollakoglu, from the Greek Army for having violated their oath, for having signed an armistice with the enemy without the King’s and the Government’s authorisation and for having agreed to become instruments of the in Fceneral Kollakoglu commanded the Greek Army of the Epirus, which surrendered to the Germans. Later he became the head of the puppet Government in Athens.] U.S. SHIPMENTS TO EGYPT NO AMERICAN VESSELS USED (Received May 6. 7.30 p.m.) LONDON. May ' The Cairo correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says United States consular records disclose that no American ships have arrived at Egyptian ports since the Red Sea was removed from the comoai ZOH6S. s American war materials and commercial goods are arriving normally, but they are carried m ships of other nationalities. CONTROL OP CUSTOMS AT TANGIER LONDON, May 5. It is announced from Tangier that Spain will assume control of the custom*.

SPANISH MINISTER FOR 'INTERIOR COLONEL V. MORANTE APPOINTED (Received May 7, 1 a.m.) MADRID, May 6. Colonel Valentin Morante, a member of the Army General Staff, has been appointed Minister for the Interior. This portfolio was previously held by General Franco. RATIONING IN ITALY RESTRICTIONS ON SALE OF MEAT (Received May 6, 9 p.m.) LONDON, May 5. A correspondent of “The Times” on the Italian frontier says that, ostensibly to increase army supplies and husband Italy’s livestock reserves, beef, mutton, pork and goat after May 7 may be sold only on Saturdays and Sundays and must be eaten the same day. The restrictions also apply to hotels and restaurants. The maize meal ration for May and June is being replaced by the same weight of rice. CIVILIANS AT GIBRALTAR MORE TO BE EVACUATED (Received May 7, 1 a.m.) GIBRALTAR, May 6. It is officially stated that more civilians will be evacuated at the earliest possible opportunity. , :