30-HOUR CHASE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20649, 27 December 1941, Page 5

30-HOUR CHASE

NAZI TANKER SUNK PURSUIT IN ATLANTIC TORPEDOED FROM AIR (Elec. Tel. Copyright—Unitril Proas Asan.) (British Official Wireless.; Reed. 9 'a.m; RUGBY, Dec. 26. An Air Ministry communique states that on Wednesday afternoon a Beaufort' aircraft of the Coastal Command torpedoed a large' enemy fleet auxiliary. This tanker had been continuously pursued and attacked by aircraft of the Coastal Command for over 30 hours. Details of the 30-hour pursuit and final sinking of the German tankman: Spain are contained in : the following 'bulletin: "The tanker was first sighted out in the Atlantic at breakfast time on Tuesday by a. Sunderland from a Royal Australian Air Force squadron. The Sunderland attacked, its bombs straddling the tanker. Ac explosion sent up a tall column of water, completely obscuring the vessel. The tanker at once lost way and' began to trail oil. U-boat Suspected

"One member of the Sunderland’s crew reported that as the flying boat went into the attack he noticed a suspicious swirl in the water, which might have been caused by a U-boat submerging after refuelling from the tanker.

“The pursuit was continued b> other long-range aircraft of' the Coastal Command, including Catalina flying boats. One Catalina encountered a Heinkel float plane, which apparently had been sent to escort the tanker, but fought off its attack. 1 “Early on Wednesday morning, a Whitley picked up the tanker again. T t was steaming at reduced speed. The Whitley attacked. As the explosions subsided, the tanker was seen to be slowing down still further and the trail of oil which had marked its course throughout the night was suddenly extended. It was obviously in considerable difficulties.

“The chase was then taken up by a Beaufort from a squadron which has frequently taken toll of enemy shipping during recent weeks. The pilot "ound the tanker in the afternoon and hit it with a torpedo.