SUNK IN ATLANTIC
GERMAN BLOCKADE-RUNNERS AMERICAN WARSHIPS’ VICTIMS ~ Rugby, Feb. 4. United States Navy Department states: ’’Naval forces in the South Atlantic early in January sank three German blockade-runners. They were the Burgenland (7320 tons), Rio Grande (6062 tons) and Weserland (tonnaw. undisclosed). The three ships were heavily laden with vital war material The German ships were attempting says a Washington message, to sneak round Cape Horn from Japanese ports with their holds stuffed with thousands of tons of rubber, tin. fats and ores. All of them were tracked down and sunk within a period of two days. The Weserland fell victim to the American destroyer Sommers, after being spotted by planes, which called up the warship The first salvo, despite darkness, hit the Weserland.
The Burgenland and Rio Grande were set on fire and blasted by demolition charges set by their own crews when spotted by the American cruiser Omsha and the destroyer Jouett, and were finished off by batteries of the two warships picked up many survivors who were made prisoners and also salvaged hundreds of tons of rubber floating amidst the debris. The rubber is now en route to the United States.
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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 5 February 1944, Page 2
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195SUNK IN ATLANTIC Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 5 February 1944, Page 2
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