ATTACK ON U.S. CONVOY

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23756, 30 September 1942, Page 3

ATTACK ON U.S. CONVOY

GERMAN REPORT

SINKING OF TROOPSHIPS CLAIMED (N.Z. Press Association— Copyright.) (Rec. 5 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 28. A special German communique claims that U-boats in the North Atlantic during a several days’ attack, destroyed a large part of a fast-sailuig United States convoy which was on its way to Britain. The convoy comprised a few large, strongly-escorted passenger steamers laden with troops, munitions, and war material. U-boats sank a 19,000-ton steamer, which overturned after it had been torpedoed three times. U-boats twice scored direct torpedo hits on a 17,000-ton ship, which blew up. They also sank an 11.000-ton transport, and a destroyer, and damaged two transports. Subsequently the German High Command stated that the three ships sunk were the Viceroy of India (P. and O. Line, 19.627 tons), the Reina del Pacifico (Pacific Steam Navigation Company, 17,702 tons), and the Derbyshire (Bibby Line, 11,660 tons). U-boats in other Atlantic waters from Africa to the United States coast sank a further 11 ships totalling 57,000 tons, making a total of 14 merchantmen sunk during the last four days.

The official German news agency stated that U-boats picked up some prisoners The three large liners sunk were equipped to carry 13,000 men together with their equipment. The Berlin radio declared that these convoy sinkings make a total of 146 Allied ships totalling 953,000 tons sunk in September, which is the highest figure for any month in 1942. It is stated in London that the German claims to have sunk troop transports in the Atlantic are quite untrue. Fifty-six survivors of ships sunk in the recent British convoy to Russia attended a ‘‘welcome home” dinner in Scotland to-day. The convoy was the biggest yet sent to Russia, and took the greatest quantity of munitions, guns, tanks and aircraft that that country has received. One survivor said that after his ves. sel sank, the attacking submarine surfaced, and the commander said: “I am sorry to have to sink your ship.” He gave the survivors a course to follow to reach land and some food. They were six days in the lifeboat before being picked up.