ALLIED ATTACK ON ALGIERS

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23807, 28 November 1942, Page 5

ALLIED ATTACK ON ALGIERS

N.Z. NAVAL RATINGS TAKE PART SHIP RAMS SUBMARINE BOOM (Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) LONDON, Nov. 26. Seven New Zealanders were in a warship which rammed the submarine boom at the entrance to Algiers harbour during the British and American action. While shells and bullets were whining round and over the ship, she sought three times to enter the harbour, but was blinded by searchlights. She then shot out the searchlights and cut the boom “like a knife through butter.” and tied up to'the jetty to allow the Americans to pour on to land and occupy the port. Ordinary Seamen J. B. Butchers, of Wellington, W. A. Day, of Nelson, R. L. Gardiner, of Matamata, and P. Gurnsey, of Christchurch, and Telegraphist R. McElhiney, of Invercargill, came out of the fight without a scratch. Ordinary Seaman W. D. Crombie. of Christchurch, was killed. Gurnsey said; "Butchers and I had to wait on the forecastle and then, when the ship reached the jetty, we had to jump out and help tie up the ship. Gardiner was the look-out in the crow’s nest, nd Day was on the bridge passing the gunnery officer’s orders to the gunners. We were scheduled to attack before dawn. We were greeted by searchlights and guns and we could hear the shells whining as we approached. They seemed to purr as they passed overhead and we could almost imagine them spinning round. One shell exploded in mid-air about 20 yards from the ship, which enlivened the proceedings. After we shot out the searchlights we were told to stand by for ramming. Boom Mined “Dawn was just breaking as we made our run against the boom. We could see a siring of barges linked up like a chain. There was a temporary lull in the firing as we approached, which was later accounted for by the fact that the defenders had mined that boom and they expected it to blow us sky high. We lay flat on the deck, gripping on to anything that we could, expecting to be thrown around when we hit the boom, but we did not notice anything. “Fifteen seconds later every gun and machine-gun opened up again. We could hear the bullets whining and spanking against the ship. When she came alongside the jetty we jumped about 12 feet and landed on the concrete floor. It was like jumping off a low house. We then tied the lines up and helped to let the gangway down and allow the Americans ashore. “As they queued up the sailors encouraged them, shouting: 'All ashore that’s going ashore’ and 'Any more Yanks for the shore?’ Then we climbed back aboard and collected rifles, tommy guns, and revolvers and spent a lively time shooting up snipers. They fired on us from cranes, ship rigging, roof-tops, and warehouses.” , . , Gardiner said; “It was certainly lively up in the crow’s nest. Approaching the harbour we were held by searchlights from time to lime while shells were whizzing round and I wished that I had something active to do, but did not haVe long to wait. Once inside the boom three machineguns opened up as we passed the mole. I was armed with a portable Lewis gun, so I promptly shut them up and then spent an interesting time shooting up any snipers I could see. I later continued firing from the bridge.” Captain’s Calmness Day said: “My job was gun communications on the bridge. I lay flat on my face when we rammed the boom, shouting orders down the ’phone. I was lucky to escape when a man next to me was wounded In the leg. After we tied up I collected a rifle and went to the forecastle, joining In the shooting. We all admired the skipper. He was terrific. While we were lying flat face he was standing up as though everything was normal. , ... “There were several amusing incidents. One that made all laugh was a tough Scottie who. after helping to lie the ship up. decided to join in with the Yankees. He was entirely unarmed when he came on three machinegunners. He shouted out; ‘Hi, hand over that bloody thing. Come aboard.’ Then he grabbed one man’s bayonet and waved them towards the ship. When he reached the ship several aboard called out: ‘Hi, Jock, you had better look out. You are unarmed.’ He replied: ‘Ma word, I am not. You had better cover me.’ It was certainly a lively do and a very successful action.” , , ~ , T It is the first time that those New Zealanders have been under fire. They will shortly sit for commissions at H.M.S. Alfred.

POSITION OF DARLAN

HOUSE OF COMMONS CRITICISM ATTITUDE OF FIGHTING FRENCH LONDON, Nov. 26. When the Leader of the House of Commons (Mr R. A. Eden) announced the business for the sitting to-day, Mr Aneurin Bevan (Labour) started a noisy discussion by asking for an early opportunity to discuss a motion relating to Admiral Darlan’s position, which had been tabled in the House. Mr Bevan and Mr R. J. G. Boothby (Conservative) were among the signatories to the motion tabled in the House, which declared: “This House is of the opinion that our relations with Darlan and his kind are inconsistent with the ideals for which we entered the war.” “There is a considerably disturbed opinion about this question in Britain and a large number of members in the House of Commons are also disturbed,” said Mr Bevan. “Is it not proper that the House should have an opportunity to discuss the subject before we are irretrievably committed to establishing Admiral Darlan in North Africa, and to the extension of the same policy to other fields of foreign policy?” Mr Eden said: “That certainly would be proper but the Government has to bear in mind whether it is timely in relation to the military operations.” Mr W. Gallacher (Communist); Is it a fact that a protocol has been prepared and will be signed shortly making Admiral Darlan the permanent High Commissioner for North Africa? At this there were cries of “Answer." Mr Speaker: Mr Eden has already answered that question. Cries of "No.” Mr Eden: My position is quite plain. I gave yesterday all the information I could in relation to this subject, which is not purely, or even mainly, a British subject. The United States is the principal party. Mr E. Granville (National Liberal); In view of the serious reports that the Fighting French are no longer broadcasting, will an opportunity be given for a debate on the subject? "It is not due to any action of ours, nor of our volition that this broadcasting has temporarily stopped,” said Mr Eden. “I am doing everything I can to bring about the earliest resumption.” Replying to another question, Mr Eden said; “The military power in North Africa is that of the United States and the present civilian power is French power. Our position has to be related to those two fgcts. Members must realise thpt we are dealing with gn extremely delicate\sltuation gt the moment when British gnd American troops are engaged in the most critical phase of the campaign,” “North Africa has been given into the hands of the ■ most completely hated and despised man in France,” declared Qeneral de la Vigrie, of the

French Air Force, who has arrived from France to join General de Gaulle. “The French people want a leader who is above shady dealings and they chose General de Gaulle. “We desire that General de Gaulle should be entrusted with establishing in North Africa .a political regime similar to those in other parts of the French empire which have always given allegiance to the AHies,” he continued. “The Darlan regime is a Vichy regime and it is incompatible with the laws of the French Republic to which we have always adhered, but it is useless to discuss the French North African Government until it is known how far England can convince the United States that North Africa must be placed under General de Gaulle. General Nogues gave up his intention to carry on the fight in North Africa after the French armistice with Ger-j many when Marshal Retain told him to submit or resign. General Nogues’s political attitude has always been unstable.” “The Voice pf the Fighting French,” which has broadcast T frpm London twice daily since June, 1940, was silent for the first time to-day. The usual military spokesman explained: “So long as. Darlan is retained as head in North Africa I cannot conscientiously continue to send messages because it is impossible to make Darlan’s appointment clear to the French people. 1 '