TO THE RESCUE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 51, Issue 3156, 12 August 1942, Page 3

TO THE RESCUE

GERMAN FIGHTER’S ACT

PROTECTION FOR SAILORS

DROVE OFF ITALIAN E-BOATS

A German fighter pilot attacked and drove off Italian E-boats which were machine-gunning helpless South African and British sailors and soldiers in the water just outside Tobruk. The victims were survivors from the South African minesweeper Parktown, which had been abandoned after the E-boats had set her oa fire.

Last to leave Tobruk, the Parktown followed another South African miriesweeper, the Beaver, and a British tug out of the harbour, under terrific fire from German guns and tanks on the shore.

The Beaver later safely reached a British port. The Parktown wanted to take off a naval radio demolition party, which was attacked when leaving by Germans with tommy guns. In an attempt to escape the hail of bullets, members of the party dived into the water, from which they were rescued by members of the Parktown’s crew. When the Parktown, under heavy shellfire, moved into the bay she found the tug crammed with British soldiers, disabled and drifting. She took it in tow.

Early in the morning the Parktown sighted some motor patrol boats. She challenged them, and received the reply. “Friend.” Actually they were Italian E-boats and opened fire with light cannon. The Parktown was short of ammunition and was able to reply only with machine-gun fire. She cast the tug adrift to manoeuvre against her attackers, but a few minutes later she was set on fire and halted.

Orders were given to abandon ship. The solitary lifeboat had 'been destroyed, but wounded soldier's, were placed on a Carley float, to which members of the crew hung.

The E-boats closed in and machine-gunned the survivors. Suddenly a Messerschmitt 110 swooped down and opened fire on the E-boats, which quickly with drew. The Messerschmitt pilot, before leaving the scene, waved to the survivors.

After six hours in the sea, the survivors were picked up l by a British motor torpedo-boat. The survivors included a lieutenant whose leg had been blown off by cannon fire.

The tug, with 40 men on board, was drifting a few miles away. It was taken in tow. When a boarding party reached the blazing Parktown they discovered a man who was helpless and unable to swim. iHe was rescued and the Parktown was sunk with a depth charge.