THE ESCAPE AND CAPTURE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 81, 29 December 1917, Page 8

THE ESCAPE AND CAPTURE

ADVENTURES OF THE HOA

FULL OFFICIAL STORY OF THE RECAPTURE

"YOU LEFT THE DOOR OPEN!" By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, December 28. Publication of the following narrative has been authorised by the Naval Adviser :— Leaving Motuihi 'on tho evening of December 13, the Germans made a direct run down the Motuihi Channel, and round Cape Colville to the Mercury Islands. They reached the group by 7.30 o'clock next morning, a run of twelve hours. Von Luckner posted a look-out or. the high headland of Red Mercury Island) the easternmost island of the group, and this man difieovored tho approach of tho scows Moa and Rangi. Vim Lunkner immediately decided to teize the Moa, allowing tho Rangi to pass. The launch was' steered on a direct course for the Moa. The crew of +,h:\ scow watched tho approach of the launch without alarm, not knowing at that (time of the escape! Only one man was seen in the stern of the launch. H'; Tvas in khaki uniform, and ordered the scow to honve-to. Tho launch was flying: tho New Zealand ensign, and the r/»>r. nn tbo Moa thought the man in tho launch'was a member of the New Zenlaud Military Forces.

. Boarding of to f«toa. Immediately the launch ran alongside the Moa, the remaining members of Von Luckner's party appeared. They were armed -with what /appeared to Iβ bombs. The crew of the Moa were unarmed, and therefore practically help-, less. Their vessel was boarded and the crew informed that they wore civilian prisoners of the Kaiser. Von Luckner added that if the orew had not hove-to, tho man nt vhe trheel Would have been shot. Tho Moa carried no naiitical instruments except a compass, but the Germans had in their possession ,a hand-made nautical instrument for ascertaining their position. The Germans also had a rough chart made out of two old maps taken from an atlas. The Germans took full charge of the Moa, but made tho scow's crew work the vessel. Von Lnckuer informed the captain of the Moa that he and liis crew would be paid for what they did, Tho Germans turned the Moa's crew out of their quarters aft into the forecastle. i In all other respects the Moa'e men were well treated, the Germans giving them the same food as they had themselves. This was sufficient to last the escaped men for two or three weeks, or oven longer if used economically. The launch Pearl wae taken in tow, but in the heavy weather experienced on the night following the capture of the Moa the launch broke adrift and '.capsized. She was therefore abandoned. Although a favourable breeze wns. experienced, heavy weather was met, mjd a portion of the scow's cargo of sawn timbor was thrown overboard. At tho Kermadeos. On the voyage to the Kermadecs land was sighted on the morning of TTriday, December 21.' Five of the Germans went aehore ,in a dinghy and returned with a load of provisions from tho depot. The'dinghy was sent ashore for o second load, when a steamer was sighted well down on the horizon. Tlie Germans ashore were' signalled to return to the scow, and on their arrival tho Moa was put under way with all sails set in a westerly direction. On December 21 the steamer sent to search for the Germans was steaming towards Curtis Island, and was fifteen miles north of that island when the Moa. was sighted near Macdonald Cove. As soon as the Germans saw the steamer, the Moa was directed on a course to the west under a full press of snil. Tho signal: "Heavo to, or I'll fire," was hoisted on the steamer, but the Moa's course was not altered. A shot from one of the guns,was then fired across the bows of the Moa at a range of 3500 yards. Immediately the Moa was brought up with her head to the wind and her head sails taken in. The chase occupier] an hour and a half, and. when the steamer ran alongside the scon , it wns .*een that the latter vessel was. flying the German naval ensign.

"Hands Up!" ' In response to a command f:pm the captain of the steamer,. Von Luckner went on board. Hβ was told to hold up his hands. He remarked to his captors: "You left the door open, and you'cannot blame me for walking out."Boats were then lowered from the steamer and the remainder of the Germans on hoard the Moa were removed Jo the steamer. They were assembled on the deok, and while standing with hands up were searched, after which they were placed in cabins andergrard. Prior to any of the Germans go!i-g on board the steamer they were olferved to throw into the sea a number of weapons. The scow was taken hi tow and a start made on the return jwiney to Auckland, but some delay was caused by the exceedingly rough weather, and both steamer and scow were hoveto for considerable intervals. Escapees now in Gaol. Shortly after their l arrival on Wednesday tho recaptured men were cenveyed' to the Mount Eden Gaol. Their future disposition has not yet : .ieen decided definitely. It is, unlikely that they will go back to Motuihi. It seems doubtful if the Germans can be punished for their attempt at escape, but the authorities in New Zealand are entitled to tako special precautions for the future, and these precautions may involve some substantial reduction pf the privileges formerly enjoyed by the German prisoners. . , . Von Lucltner and Kirschmss were each dressed in khaki uniform and wore naval caps. Albrecht von Egidy, who was formerly a plantation owner in Samoa, was sworn in 'vith the other members of the crew and supplied with the uniform of a naval petty officer.