Victorious Corvette Returns to Dominion

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 60, 12 March 1943, Page 4

Victorious Corvette Returns to Dominion

Story of Brilliant And Daring Action l’er Press Association. WELLING!!uN, Mar. 11. The return to the Dominion of the crew of one of the New Zealand corvettes which sank a Japanese submarine was announced by Mr. Fraser in a statement to-night. He said he was sure the citizens of Auckland would avail themselves to the full of the privilege of extending a most cordial welcome to these men who had displayed such outstanding courage and tenacity in tho face of overwhelming odds in their brilliant and successful action. He desired most heartily to associate the Government and people of New Zealand with the welcome, and said he felt sure the story of their spectacular success would arouse tho greatest enthusiasm among the people of New Zealand. These corvettes, said Mr. Fraser, fought a night action at close range with a large Japanese submarine off Guadalcanar and completely destroyed it. In the words of the official narrative, the U-boat was more than twice the length and three times the tonnage of the corvettes. It had a considerably higher speed and its main gun fired shells much more than twice the weight of its opponents, and it was heavily armed with torpedoes. Moreover, the submarine was carrying a landing party of soldiers, who put up a hot fire with rifles and machine-guns during the action. The U-boat was destroyed with loss of all save one of its large company. The ships which distinguished themselves in this action formed part of the New Zealand flotilla operating in the Solomons area under the orders of Admiral Halsey. With few exceptions, their crews were New Zealanders, chiefly of the Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve. Lieutenant-Com-mander G. Brindson was in command ot the corvette which opened the attack and thrice rammed the U-boat. Lieuten-ant-Commander Phipps commanded tho other ship which finally drove the enemy ashore. Both commanders had served earlier in the war in command of minesweepers escorting Channel convoys for which both were decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross. On the night of Friday, January 29th, the corvettes were on patrol off the northern end of Guadalcanar when one ship detected the near presence of a submarine and at once proceeded to attack her, her consort standing by to assist. A pattern of depth charges was dropped over the position of the submarine which apparently was damaged and stopped. A second pattern of depth charges was also laid and the U-boat surfaced immediately afterwards and attempted to escape in the darkness. Both corvettes turned towards the submarine at full speed. The ship which had dropped the depth charges was much nearer and decided to ram the big submarine which had opened accurate fire with its main gun. The corvette struck the CJ-boat squarely just abaft of the conning tower, at the same time firing every gun that would bear and scoring a number of hits. The enemy’s gun was put out of action and a number of soldiers on the deck were seen to go overboard. The corvette broke away and then rammed a second time, securing a glancing blow on the stern of the U-boat, which though badly damaged and on fire, was still maintaining good speea. The second corvette was getting shots in whenever possible and also fired star shells to help illuminate the scene. The leading corvette’s searchlight was kept trained on the U-boat from whose decks troops opened fire with rifles and machine-guns. Particularly gallant was the conduct of Acting-Leading Signalman C. Buchanan, of Port Chalmers, who while operating searchlights, was mortally wounfled by machine-gun bullets, but remained at his post until relieved. lie died on January 31st. Alteration of course by the submarine enabled the corvette to ram for the third time and the corvette’s momentum caused her to rim up to the U-boat’s deck just abaft of the conning tower and the shock of the impact effectively disposed of the enemy troops firing at the searchlight by spilling them into the sea. The corvette backed out, leaving the enemy seriously damaged and low in the water. The action lasted for nearly an hour and the corvette’s guns were too hot to work, so she disengaged and cleared the range for her escort. The submarine had been hit many times ana was badly on fire, but was able to maintain good speed. The second corvette pursued the enemy, scoring several more hits ana the U-boat was making for land when it struck an offshore reef. At daybreak, about forty feet of the forward part was showing at a steep angle above the water. The action lasted altogether for 2\ hours and during that time, there was only one casualty in the New Zealand ships. With the exception of one wounded man recovered from the water, the submarine’s whole complement, including the soldiers, perished.