U-BOAT BASE AT DAKAR

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 66, 15 September 1941, Page 7

U-BOAT BASE AT DAKAR

ESCAPED SEAMEN'S

REPORT

USE OF THE FRENCH FLAG

CAPE TOWN, Sept. 14,

Two Danish seamen who escaped from Dakar, where they were imprisoned for over a year, state that they believe the Germans "are using Dakar as a U-boat base. The seamen said that submarines were constantly entering and leaving Dakar at night-time. By day they flew the French flag, but most of the members of the crews spoke German. When the two Danes arrived at Dakar in June, 1940, only two or three submarines were based there. Now, they say, there are about 15. Refuelling tankers frequently enter the port. In addition to the battleship Richelieu, there were three cruisers, two destroyers, and three gunboats lying at Dakar, they said. The Richelieu was undergoing temporary repairs, but because of the absence of a dry dock the vessel could be used only as a floating fort. About 30 Allied ships and their crews were held at Dakar. The food position there was becoming serious. The seamen added that the residents of Dakar would welcome the Allies. If General de Gaulle had persisted in his attack on the port it would have fallen easily. Some of the Richelieu's crew were shot and others were im-, prisoned'for refusing to fire their guns during the battle.