A U-BOAT OUTRAGE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 257, 25 July 1921, Page 5

A U-BOAT OUTRAGE

SINKING OF A HOSPITAL SHIP ARREST OF SUBMARINE CAPTAIN REPORTED By Telegraph—Press Association-Oopyrlght. (Rec. July 24, 5.5 p.m.) Berlin, July 23. An unconfirmed Danish report states that Captain Patzig, who was responsible for the sinking of the Llandovery Castle, has been arrested. If the report is true the Government intends to demand Patzig’s extradition.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. [The Llandovery Castle was torpedoed on June 27, ’l9lB, 100 miles from land and nearly 3GO miles from the prohibited area. Of 258 people on board, 234 lost their lives. Boldt and Dithmar, two officers of the submarine which sank the hospital ship, were charged at the Leipzig Court with murder, and were sentenced to four years’ imprisonment without hard labour; It was explained that they were subordinate officers, Commander Patzig having absconded. During the trial 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 tho 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 tho darkness. German bluejackets reluctantly gave evidence that some of them tried to persuade Commander Patzig not to sink tho Llandovery Castle. Later Patzig went on deck with the accused. The rest of the crew were told to remain below. It was common talk among the crew that the lifeboats were sunk by shellfire, the officers manning the guns. Later Patzig asked the crew to say nothing about what had occurred. He accepted full responsibility.]