ALTMARK VICTIMS

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 195, 14 May 1940, Page 6

ALTMARK VICTIMS

Experiences Of Three New Zealanders DORIC STAR’S GUN CREW (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, May 13. “It was a hell ship ruled by a vicious buUy. Three months in the Altmark seemed like three years,” was the opinion expressed today by three New Zealanders who were among the 326 merchant seamen rescued by the British destroyer Cossack from the German prison ship. The three men are Messrs. J. Lynch, Onehunga, a member of the staff of the Auckland “Star”; W. Wheeler, Frederick Street, Dunedin; and Ray Craig, Herne Bay, Auckland. They left Auckland in the Dorie Star in October, Mr. Lynch being gunner and the others seamen gunners. They called at Sydney and Cape Town, and on December 2 sighted the Admiral Graf Spee. The battleship fired two shots and a launch came alongside and ordered the ship’s company to get plates, blankets and cutlery before being taken aboard the Graf Spee and later transferred to a “neutral” tanker. While they were having baths and passing the doctor on the Graf Spee, the battleship sank the Doric Star by dynamite, gunfire and torpedo. “There was no sign of anger on the faces of the German crew when they saw us,” said one of the men. “We found no ill-feeling. The oldest of the crew didn’t seem to be more than 22.” Next morning the prisoners—49 in number—were awakened by gunfire and later 10 members of the Tairoa’s crew were added to their number The prisoners were allowed privileges aboard the battleship till December 6, when they contacted the Altmark and were transferred to that vessel. Greeted by a German officer and an armed guard, they wore split up and put down into the magazine chambers. Thus a long imprisonment with hardship began. “We were four decks down and 35ft. below the said one. “The chief complaints were the issue of putrid rye bread and also that only two small cakes of soap were issued to each man over three months, while the pint and a half of water issued for washing purposes had to be poured back into a drum and used over again.” The shortage of tobacco was keenly felt.

The prisoners had no knowledge of whether the ship called at any ports because she was always stopping and starting. They couldn’t believe the good news when they heard the raiding party from the Cossack. All had a wonderful time in England. Mr. Wheeler twice broadcast from the 8.8. C. and appeared in several theatres in connexion with an appeal for woollen clothing for the Army and Navy.