LONG-RANGE U-BOAT

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 March 1941, Page 7

LONG-RANGE U-BOAT

U.S.A. ZONE INVADED ?

GERMAN DENIALS

[BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.]

WASHINGTON, March 17. i

It is learned that the United States has been informed that Germany plans to start her submarine operations off the United States coast, near New York.

According to a foreign source, the German Navy is sending a long-range submarine, capable of operating over thousands of miles, to harass shipping bff the Atlantic coast. Information regarding the movements of the submarine had been communicated to the United States, but without any actual details concerning the present location. According to the report, it is believed that the primary purpose of sending the submarine within the American zone is to disorganise the present shipping lanes, which have become increasingly vital to Britain since the Lend and Lease Bill was passed. The German Embassy has declined to comment on the submarine report. An informed German source said that the report “must be an invention.”

The German Naval Attache, ViceAdmiral Robert Witthoeft Emden, said that he doubted the accuracy ot the long-range submarine report. He termed the report “incredible.”

ANOTHER BAD WEEK.

RUGBY, March 19.

The Admiralty announced that the mercantile losses due to enemy action in the week ended at midnight on March 9 total 25 ships, of 98,832 tonnage.

BREMEN FIRE

LONDON, March 17,

The Berlin News Agency stated that the liner Bremen was afire at JBremenshaven. It is reported that the fire was one of considerable magnitude. One unimpeachable source claims that despite the efforts of fire brigades, the Bremen is considered lost.

(Recd. March 19, 11.45 a.m.). BERLIN, March 18.

The News Agency says that the fire on the liner Bremen was extinguished, after causing severe damage. Investigations as to the cause are proceeding.

FRENCH NAVAL STRENGTH.

LAUSANNE, March 17.

The “Gazette De Lausanne’s” Vichy correspondent reports: “Authorised information states that the. French Fleet is now stronger than it has been at any time since the armistice, and it is a force on which the country can base its policy. France’s capital ship, the “Jean Bart,” is anchored at Casablanca, in North Africa. The capital ship, “Richelieu,” is at Dakar. Both of these are intact. The capital ship “Dunkerque” is now undergbin* repairs. The “Strasbourg” is in . a constant state of preparedness, while it is claimed that the “Provence” is intact at Toulon. The “Courbet” and the “Paris,” which are anchored at British ports, are alleged to be of no naval value.

France lost the capital ship “Bretagne” at Oran, while the “Lorraine” is held at Alexandria.

R.A.F. OFFENSIVE.

RUGBY, March 18.

An R.A.F. Middle East communique stated: There was continued activity by R.A.F. fighters and bombers in the Keren area, yesterday. Troops and gun positions were dive-bombed and machine-gunned. During these operations, an Italian Cr-42 was intercepted by our aircraft, and was shot down.

In Abyssinia, further south, enemy troops and motor transport vehicles in the Harar-Jijiga area were attacked by the machine-gun fire of the South African Air Force. An enemy aircraft, which was machine-gunned at Jijiga on March 15, was observed to be burnt out. Four more Italian aircraft are now known to be definitely destroyed in engagements by the S.A.A.F. near Daggabur and Diredawa, on March 13/15. A heavy attack was made on Tripoli Harbour by R.A.F. bombers. A direct hit was observed on the mole. Other bombers straddled shipping and quays. Large fires were started on the south side of the harbour, in hangars and among military stores, while explosions were seen at the railway depot and near the wireless station.

RADIO PROPAGANDA

LONDON, March 18.

The “Daily Mail’s” Khartoum correspondent says: A new weapon is being used-by the British in the siege of Keren, namely, a powerful broadcasting apparatus, installed at the foot of the mountains. Through six huge megaphones this is issuing a constant stream of propaganda which can be heard a mile away. It is addressed to the enemy troops, who are clinging to the cliffs. The propaganda comes from a battery- of gramophone records. Some have been specially made, including Amharic proclamations by Selassie, and Amharic speeches by trained Abyssinian orators.

EGYPTIAN SUPPORT

CAIRO, March 18.

Replying in the Egyptian Chamber to questions about the talk with Mr. Eden, the Premier said they were carried out with complete frankness and understanding. He said: “I told Mr. Eden that Egypt faithfully supports the democracies, and sincerely intends to help them, and firmly believes in the ultimate triumph of the cause of liberty and civilisation.”