Britishers Aboard Graf Spee

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 297, 16 December 1939, Page 7

Britishers Aboard Graf Spee

Graphic Stories of Fight With the Cruisers MEN FROM NINE SHIPS United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. Received Friday, 9.50 p.m. MONTE VIDEO, Dec. 14. Prisoners disclosed that the Graf Spec left Germany before the outbreak of the 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 ifeboats. Prisoners said they had been well treated but some commented that, while tho Germans were good sailors and were friendly, they appeared more willing to seize merchantmen than risk a light with British and French, warships. Prisoners were frequently allowed on deck. Sixty-two were kept in 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 wnen a shell 6truck the prison, but there were no casualties. A quiet-mannered Doric Star officer gave one of the best accounts. “Wo were awakened at G a.m. by cannonading,” he said, ‘‘and knew it was serious when tho guards locked and barred our doors and went to battle stations. We realised a British victory might mean our deaths. Nevertheless, as the battle progressed there was singing and cheering for the attackers. “We counted 17 hits by British shells. You may not believe it, but several men who were shaving when the tiring began quietly went on and finished the job. I was gargling medicine when we had a British visitor. A piece of shell tore its way into our quarters. I swallowed all the medicine.” Ho added: ‘‘Our confinement area aboard the Graf Spee was directly under an 11-inck turret. Every time a shot was fired it seemed the whole roof collapsed. Tho grandest news ever was when an officer came down and said: ‘Gentlemen, the war is over for you. We’ve just entered Monte Video harbour.’ ”

The narrator added: “Most of the Germans were young. I don’t think they ever considered the possibility of having to fight another warship, but seemed to think their only job was the sinking of freighters. That was probably one reason why the light cruisers were able to force the Graf Spee to yield.” Captain Patrick Dove, of tho Africa Shell, said the Graf Spee’s commander called him to the bridge before tho prisoners were released and told him that the cruisers made a gallant light. “When people fight like that,” he added, “personal enmity is lost.” The first officer observed: “Those British are hard.” Another officer remarked: “You fellows have been our prisoners a long time. It pow looks like our turn.” Captain Dove said the Arrica Shell was sunk within Portuguese waters. The British Consulate-General announced that the Graf Spee’s victims included the Clement, Newton Beach, Ashlea, Huntsman, Trevanion, Africa Shell, Doric Star, Tairora and Streon •Shell, Doric Star, Tairoa and Streonshalh. Tho Africa Shell was sunk off East Africa, the Streonshalh. in the South Atlantic and the remainder off the coast of South America. Before they were freed tho prisoners aboard tho Graf Spee, who came from nine merchantmen, were forced to sign a pledge to remain ashore for the rest of the war on the 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 the terrible day and close confinement in the bowels of the Graf Spee while the 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 uniform, surrendered the men to Uruguayan official in Nahal Prefecture and they were later turned over to the British Legation. The captains were identified as Messrs Brown, Pottinger, Edwards, Stubbs and Dove, of the Huntsman, Ashlea, Trevanion, Doric Star and Africa Shell respectively. At the British Consulate tho prisoners described how they counted the hits by the British guns and cheered for the attacking cruisers, although they realised they were doomed if the Graf Spee sank, because the doors of their steel cells were barred when the action began.