SUBMARINES FROM RUSSIA

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28268, 4 May 1957, Page 11

SUBMARINES FROM RUSSIA

Reported Activity In Mediterranean

(N.Z. Press Association Copyright) (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, ‘May 3.

At least five Russian submarines were shadowing the United States Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean, the “Daily Mail” said today. The fleet had developed an antisubmarine hunter group with orders to keep track of unidentified submarines.

The Russian submarines were part of a fleet, numbering possibly 20, now stationed in the Mediterranean, the “Daily Mail’’ said. The report from Bein't was not carried by any other London newspapers.

The submarines’ main purpose was training and captains and crews were changed frequently, to accustom as many men as possible to Mediterranean conditions. Russia could now use three Mediterranean bases, at SassenoValone in Albania, at Alexandria Jn Egypt, and at Latakia in Syria, the “Daily Mail” said. Naval missions led by Rear-Admirals were stationed at all three.

The “Daily Mail” said that Information about Russian submarines in the Mediterranean had been disclosed by chief radio officer Alexey Linahachev, who had recently jumped ship in the Southern French port of Martigues from the Russian tanker Kherson. Linahachev said that the tanker was a Russian fleet auxiliary. It refuelled submarines at sea and took out relief crews.