Thousands Die When Navy Intercepts Convoy

Northern Advocate, 26 May 1941, Page 5

Thousands Die When Navy Intercepts Convoy

LONDON. May 25.

Five or six thousand Germans were killed or drowned in the darkness of Wednesday night when British warships suddenly encountered a German convoy heading for Crete. The convoy is estimated to have consisted of more than 40 vessels. “We sank them with our four-inch guns and pompoms,” said the captain of a British cruiser today. “Our cruisers and destroyers rammed them. “The sea was full of wreckage aiul thousands of Germans shouting for help, but the danger of attack by German E-boats prevented us from rescuing survivors.

“The havoc was so great that no Germans managed to land on Crete that night. We completely dispersed this large German convoy, comprising Greek caiques (sailing boats) and small merchant vessels, escorted by a single Italian destroyer. Fired at Darkened Ship

“Ours was a strong force, and it met the enemy in pitch darkness. Various units of the fleet had been patrolling off Crete, ready for any emergency, and we were steaming eastwards when suddenly, at about 11 p.m., our destroyer screen opened fire on a darkened ship.

“This was the first intimation that we had made contact with the enemy. We altered course and entered the fray. “The fire of our destroyers was very effective and a great bonfire appeared —apparently from a merchant ship burning from stem to stern.”

Italian Never Fired

The captain continued: “The first ship we sighted was the Italian destroyer, which was within close range. “Her identity was then doubtful, because of her similarity to our singlefunneled craft, but a searchlight picked out her flag and immaculate paint work, suggesting months in harbour.

“We opened fire with pompoms, and at this the Italian launched five torpedoes. During the ensuing avoiding action our fire was masked, but another cruiser got a clear sight and launched a full six-inch broadside, al of which seemed to hit the destroyer. “After that there was a violent explosion, and her end seemed inevitable. She never fired throughout the engagement.

Crashed Into Armada

“The British admiral then led the squadron through what appeared to be the* middle of the convoy. .The ’bows of our ships crunched into fragile caiques. Others were swamped by the wash. “A large number of small Greek boats were sunk by ramming. Our main armaments also sank a small steamer which had been left burning. “Some small boats tried to evade the attack by hiding the German soldiers aboard below deck and flying the Greek flag. Others retaliated with rifle and machine-gun fire. “We continued our northward sweep until no more boats were visible.

“On a subsequent sweep we passed a large number of Germans clinging to wreckage; but the possibility of German E-boats catching us at a disadvantage did not permit us to rescue survivors.”

40 Small Boats

The narrator added that it was impossible to estimate the strength of the convoy, but it was believed to consist of 40 small boats, each carrying 100 soldiers, and some small merchantmen, which probably carried several hundred, in addition to stores. During the three days before the smashing of the convoy, the squadron destroyed three Junkers 87s. It finally reached its base, in spite of more than 30 dive-bombing attacks, which began each day at dawn. Mass Execution

“It was mass execution,” the British cruiser captain told the Associated Press of America. “Our fire was most deadly, all our guns roaring like shipyard works in full blast.” One officer agreed that the whole convoy was at the mercy of the Navy's guns. “It was destruction on the grand scale, uilparalleled. in this war,” said another. “It made you realise the utter futility of the German conception of war as the helpless soldiery went down to their deaths.” The cruiser Ajax (6985 tons), one of the Leander Class, was in the British squadron. The Ajax was one of the three cruisers which defeated the pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee In December, 1939. She also fought against the Italians ,in the battle of Cape Matapan last March. Italian Admission An Italian communique admits the loss of an Italian destroyer, also a torpedo boat, during actions in the eastern Mediterranean. It claims that severe losses have forced the British fleet protecting Crete to retire to its bases. An enemy submarine was sunk by torpedo boats, it alleges. By special arrangement, Reuter's world service in addition to other special sources of information is used in the compilation of overseas intelligence published in this issue and all rights therein in Australia and New Zealand are reserved.