MISSING SHIPS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23542, 30 December 1939, Page 7

MISSING SHIPS

NAVAL TRAWLER BRITISH STEAMER NOW PRESUMED LOST DANISH VESSEL MINED By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received December 0.5 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 2!> A British naval trawler, with a complement of 15, is overdue at her base and is presumed to have been lost with all hands. The owners of the Middlebrough steamer Moortoft, of 875 tons, announce that the vessel is several days overdue .and is presumed lost with all 13 members of the crew. The Danish vessel Hanne, ot" 1080 tons, was sunk by a mine off the northeast coast of England. She had a crew of 15, but the number rescued is not known. A lifeboat from shore found one of the ship's boats floating upsidedown. OFFICERS PROMOTED THREE BRITISH CRUISERS CASUALTIES IN THE EXETER ACTION AGAINST GRAF SPEE British Wireless LONDON, Dec. 28 In recognition of their services in the action against the Admiral Graf Spee the Admiralty has announced the following promotions, all to date from December 13, 1939: — Commander D. H. Everett, H.M.S-. Ajax, to be promoted captain; Lieu-tenant-Commander R. li. Jennings, and Lieutenant-Commander C. J. Smith, H.M.S. Exeter, and LieutenantCommander P. T. A. Love, H.M.S. Achilles, to be promoted commanders; Engineer-Commander T. C. S. Noake, H.M.S. Ajax, to be promoted engineercaptain. The Admiralty announces that three of the Exeter's crew died of wounds. Lieutenant-Commander Love spent only a few months in Ne.w Zealand, prior to the outbreak of the war. He joined the Achilles when she reconir missioned in England at the beginning of this year, and arrived with the cruiser in May. ON BRITAIN'S SIDE FORMER GERMAN FLIERS FAMOUS PILOT JOINS UP HATRED FOR NAZI REGIME (Received December 20, 6.10 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON, Dec. 28 Recruits for the South African Air Force continue to come forward in large numbers. The fine achievement of the South African Air Force in intercepting a few weeks ago the German liner Watussi has inspired many to offer their services. Not all of them are of British birth. Three men with distinguished German war records have joined the active Citizen Force units, including one of the most famous pilots Germany produced in the last war. Another, on joining, said: "I fought hard for Germany in the last war, but it will be nothing to the way I will tight against her, after the way those Nazis treated me." The British Empire Service League of South Africa has sent to the Secretary for War, Mr. L. Hore-Bclislia, a cheque signed by Field-Marshal Lord Milne for £4OO. representing contributions from -1000 ex-servicemen and women toward Christmas comforts for the British troops in the front line, "with best wishes from their comrades in South Africa." The gift has been acknowledged by Mr. Hore-Belisha, ARMY AIR CORPS AMERICAN EXPANSION 52 NEW SQUADRONS (Received December '_*!). 5.17 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Dec. 2S The United States War Department lias ordered the creation of 52 new Army Air Corps squadrons to be stationed by February 1 in the United States, Puerto Pico, the Canal Zone, Hawaii and Alaska. This will be one of the largest expansions of the Air Corps in history. The squadrons will comprise bombardment, pursuit, reconnaissance and observation units.