30 Raider Victims Arrive In Auckland By Mariposa

Northern Advocate, 13 January 1941, Page 6

30 Raider Victims Arrive In Auckland By Mariposa

[Special to “Northern Advocate.”] AUCKLAND, This Day. thirty men, women and children, victims of the RAIDERS WHICH SANK THEIR SHIPS AT SEA, ARRIVED BY THE MARIPOSA FROM SYDNEY THIS MORNING. Most appeared to have quite recovered from the ordeal, _ but here and there were signs of suffering and some of the survivors were immediately taken to hospital. Before leaving the vessel the raider victims were interviewed by various officials, including detectives, lengthy statements being taken. " Later, all were entertained by the Mayor (Sir Ernest Davis) at lunch at the Waverley Hotel.

i Caught Between Three. The second officer of the steamer Holmwood (Mr A. A. Clark} said the vessel was caught in a trap formed by three enemy raiders. The Holmwood had no chance, as she was doing about eight knots from Chatham Islands to Lyttelton with s general cargo of livestock and also passengers. “One of the raiders made a flag signal and then a morse signal to stop,’’ he said. “It was said later that two shots were fired across the bows. “I did not see them, but I did hear ‘plof in the sea.” After the officers, crew and passengers had been taken off, the Germans took off some of the live sheep for food, but the majority of the 140 G were left to drown, also a polo pony. The Germans opened fire on the struggling stock with machine-guns. It was humane to end their misery, e No Inside Information? Then the enemy ship steamed north with the two other enemy vessels. The Holmwood’s officer said he did not get the idea that the raider officials had inside information. They said; they were surprised to get the Rangitane, which was sunk a few days later after being shelled. The Holmwood victims were kept below during the shelling. They were treated well and the food was fair. They were provided with shorts and singlets and a cap on reaching the tropics. There was, however, a shortage of water. Time hung heavily, but the captives l were allowed on deck for exercise every day. German wireless news was given in English. Well Treated. When they were landed at Emirau Island everybody made the best of it. When they were taken off they reached another place in 20 hours and the Red' Cross there gave them 20 cases of clothing, t They had a wonderful reception when they reached an Australian port and again the Red Cross was very good to them. Another raider survivor said that a notice in the German raider under the name of Manyo Maru read: “Officers and crew of the steamer Holmwood must be treated with every respect. Breaches of this rule will be severely dealt with.”

Members of the Holmwood crew told interviewers that the rule was strictly adhered to.