BRITISH PRISONERS ON BOARD

Evening Star, Issue 23451, 16 December 1939, Page 11

BRITISH PRISONERS ON BOARD

VICTIMS OF ATTACKS ON MERCHANTMEN ACCOUNTS OF BATTLE WITH CRUISERS MONTEVIDEO, December 14. The British Consulate-General announced that the Graf Spee’s victims were the Clement, the Newton Beach, the Ashlea, the Huntsman, the Trevaniou, the Africa Shell, the Doric Star, the Tairoa (7,983 tons), and the Streonshahl (3,895 tons). The Africa Shell was sunk off East Africa, the Streonshahl in the South Atlantic, Before they were set free, the prisoners aboard the Graf Spee who came from these nine merchantmen were forced to sign a pledge to remain ashore for the rest of the war on, penalty of death if recaptured. Lean and unshaven, they carried shapeless bags holding their scanty belongings. Some were clinging to lifebelts salvaged from their old ships. Their ages ranged from 72 to boys apparently under 15. All showed the effects of a terrible day of close confinement in the bowels of the Graf Speo while British shells pounded the ship, but they cheered] and laughed as the shells landed on the Graf Spee. Her commander and the German Naval Attache, both in full dress, surrendered the men to Uruguayan officials in the Naval Prefecture. They were later turned over to the British Legation. The captains were identified" as Brown, Pottinger, Edwards, Stubbs, and Dore, of the Huntsman, the Ashlea, the Trevanion, the Doric Star, and the Africa Shell respectively. At the British Consulate the prisoners, described how they counted the hits by British guns and cheered for the attacking cruisers, although they real-

ised that they were doomed if the Graf Speo sank because the doors of their steel cells were barred when the action began. The prisoners disclose that the Graf Spee left Germany before the outbreak of war, and after sinking the Clement off Brazil on October 2, ranged over the South Atlantic from South America to Africa. She confiscated provisions before sinking a vessel, and either took the crew prisoner or set them adrift in lifeboats.

The prisoners said they were well treated, but some commented that while the Germans were good sailors and friendly,. they appeared to be more willing to seize merchantmen than risk a fight with British or French warships. The prisoners were 'frequently allowed on deck. Sixty-two were kept ip a single room without distinction between officers and men, but there was no particular discomfort, and the food was adequate. The worst experience in yesterday’s battle occurred when a shell struck their prison, but there were no casualties.

A quiet-mannered Doric Star officer gave one of the best accounts. “We were awakened at 6 a.m. by cannonading and knew it was serious when the guards locked and l barred our doors and went to battle staions. We realised that a British victory might mean -our deaths; nevertheless, as the battle progressed, there were singing and cheering for the attackers. We counted 17 hits by British shells. You may not believe it, but several who were shaving when the firing began quietly went on and finished the job. I was gargling medicine when we had ft British visitor,

a piece of shell which tore its way into the quarters. I swallowed all the medicine.”

An officer from a captured ship said; “ Our confinement area aboard the Graf Spee was directly under the llin turret, and every time a shot was fired it seemed as if the whole roof would collapse. The grandest news ever was when an officer came down and said:

’ Gentlemen, the war is over for you. We’ve just entered Montevideo Harbour.’ ”

The narrator added: “ Most of the Germans were young, and I don’t think they ever considered the possibility of having to fight another warship, but seemed to think that their only job was the sinking of freighters. That was probably one reason why light cruisers were able to force the Graf Spce to yield.” Captain Patrick Dove, of the Africa Shell, said the Graf Spec’s commander called him to the bridge before the prisoners were released, and told him that the cruisers made a gallant fight. “ When people fight like that, personal enmity is lost,” ho said. The first officer observed: “ Those British are hard.” Another officer remarked: “You fellows have been our prisoners a long time It now looks like our turn.” Captain Dove said the Africa Shell was sunk within Portuguese waters.