U-BOAT OFFENSIVE

Grey River Argus, 23 February 1942, Page 6

U-BOAT OFFENSIVE

On the Atlantic LONDON, Feb. 20. The “Evening Standard’s” military correspondent says that a heavy U-boat offensive has been launched in the Atlantic, in response to Japanese demands for the purpose of straining the Allied fleets and preventing United States naval reinforcements going to the Pacific. It is announced from Panama that Axis submarines have been increasingly active in the Caribbean Sea but effective counter-measures are being taken. BRAZILIAN FREIGHTER SUNK RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb. 20. The Foreign Office announced that the 4053-ton Brazilian freighter Olinda was shelled and sunk on February 18, off the United States coast. The crew of 46 were saved.

Two More Tankers SUNK IN ATLANTIC. (Rec. 11.0.) WASHINGTON, Feb. 21. The oil tanker “Pan Massachussetts,” of eight thousand two hundred tons, has been torpedoed and sunk off the Atlantic Coast of the United States. Eighteen survivors have landed. Twenty are missing. The Norwegian tanker “Kongsgaard” has been torpedoed off Curacao. She was beached in flames. Thirty of the “Kongsgaard’s” crew were drowned or burned to death. Seven others were rescued. The scene of her torpedoing is described as a burning hell from the blazing oil covering the sea. Destroyer Torpedoed * LINER SAVED. LONDON, February 20. How the lives of 1000 fully-trained R.A.F. pilots, observers and navigators, aboard a fast 15,000-tons liner bound from Canada to Scotland were saved when the ship was attacked by a U-boat in the Atlantic, was told by a member of the crew. The U-boat fired two torpedoes, which missed. A third headed straight for the liner when the escorting destroyer, which was accompanied by a corvette, manoeuvred between the torpedo and the liner. There was a terrific explosion as the torpedo tore the destroyers side. Smoke ’belched and debris rained in the vicinity. When the air cleared there was nothing left of the destroyer except a patch of oil and a few spars. Onlv seven members of her crew were saved. The liner sailed on at full speed but met' another U-boat which was “quickly dealt witji.” The linei’ safely reached port. An Enemy Defeat i ATTACK ON BRITISH CONVOY. i BY SMALL CRAFT AND BOMBERS. 8.0.W. RUGBY, February 20. The Admiralty and Air Ministry announce: Enemy E-boats and aircraft were destroyed, and others were damaged, when an unsuccessful attack was made last, night on one of our convoys. No casualties or damage were suffered by the merchant ships in the convoy, the surface escort, or our aircraft. The R.A.F. Fighter Command engaged in shipping protection duties over the convoy. Seeing six enemy bombers approaching the convoy, the squadron leader at once led his Defiants into action and drove off the enemy. One enemy bomber was destroyed, and four of the remaining five were damaged. The first surface attack was made before midnight, when a force of Eboats -were sighted by the destroyer “Holderness,” and were immediately engaged? The enemy at once made a smoke-screen, and turned away. The destroyers “Holderness” and “Mendip Pytchley” gave chase, doing considerable damage to the enemy before contact was lost. On returning to take up station with the other escorts of the convoy, the “Mendip” engaged and drove off two further E-boats. Two hours later,

the “Holderness” sighted and engag-i-d two E-boats at close range, hitting one with her opening salvo. The Ehoat bled up and sank. Further Eboats were sighted, and a general chase ensued, during which a second boat was sunk. In the early hours of the morning, a further attack by E-boats was driven off by the trawler “Turquoise”. Eighteen enemy survivors were subsequently picked up and made prisoners of war. The enemy aircraft shot down was a Dornier 217—the latest long-range fast bomber. Three others and a J.U. 88 were damaged. The surviving Dornier escaped into thick low cloud. The British Air Commander was Squadron Leader I. S. Smith, D.F.C., pf New Zealand.