WAR CRIMINALS’ TRIAL

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 249, 15 July 1921, Page 5

WAR CRIMINALS’ TRIAL

TORPEDOING OF THE LLANDOVERY CASTLE EVIDENCE OF OFFICERS OF VESSEL By Telegraph—Presa Association—Copyright Leipzig, July 13. The trial of Boldt and Dithmar, submarine officers, charged with murder in connection with the torpedoing of the Llandovery Castle, a hospital ship, is continuing. Boldt and Dithmar were subordinate officers, Commander Patzig having absconded. Both refuse to answer questions regarding what occurred after the torpedoing and allege they promised Patzig to say nothing. Mr. Chapman, an officer of the Llandovery Castle, gave evidence that the submarine turned a big gun on his lifeboat in order to force him to abandon, an effort to rescue men struggling in the water. When Patzig fired his revolver it was necessary to abandon the drowning men. The submarine then headed straight for the boat twice, evidently bent on destroying all evidence of the sinking of the hospital ship. Mr. Chapman hoisted, a sail and slipped away in the darkness. . . Mr. Forsyth, fourth officer, gave smn-Sixty-two witnesses are being called.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GERMAN BLUEJACKETS’ EVIDENCE LIFEBOATS SUNK BY SHELLFIRE. (Rec. July 14, 11.46 p.m.) Leipzig, July 13. German bluejackets reluctantly gave evidence that some of them tried to persuade Commander Patzig not to sink the Llandovery Castle. Later Patzig went on deck with the accused. The rest ot the crow were told to remain below. It was common talk among the crew that the lifeboats were sunk by shellfire, th.e officers manning the guns. Later 1 ata o asked the crew to say nothing about what had occurred. He accepted full re-sponsibility.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.