BASE FOR U-BOATS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 15 September 1941, Page 5

BASE FOR U-BOATS

GERMANS’ USE OF DAKAR ACCOUNT BY ESCAPEES Capetown, Sept. 14. Two Danish seamen who have escaped from Dakar, where they were imprisoned for over a year, state that they believe the Germans are using Dakar for a U-boat base. The seamen said ! that submarines were constantly enter- | ing and leaving Dakar at night time. By day they flew the French flag, but most members of the crews spoke GerWhen the two Danes arrived at Dakar in June, 1940, only two or three submarines were based there. Now, they say, there are about 15. Refuelling tankers are frequently entering the port. In addition to the battleship Richelieu, there were three cruisers, two destroyers and three gunboats lying at Dakar. The Richelieu was being temporarily repaired, but because of the absence of a dry dock the vessel could be used only as a floating fort. About 30 Allied ships and the mem- , bers of their crews were held at Da- , kar. The food position there was be- , coming serious. The seamen added that Dakar resi- , dents would welcome the Allies. If General de Gaulle had persisted in his attack on the port it would have fallen ersily. Some of the Richelieu’s crew , were shot and others were imprisoned , for refusing to fire their guns during ; the battle. —U.P.A.