SUNK BY TRAWLER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24735, 11 October 1941, Page 9

SUNK BY TRAWLER

GERMAN SUBMARINE SURVIVORS RESCUED RUGBY, Oct. 9. An Admiralty communique states: — A large German U-boat surrendered as the result of a most spirited action on the part of his Majesty's trawler Lady Shirley (Lieutenant-commander A. H. Callaway. Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve). The Lady Shirley was on patrol when the Üboat wa? sighted on the surface. The U-boat immediately dived, and the trawler attacked with depth charges. These forced the U-boat to the surface, and she was at once engaged by the Lady Shirley with her fourinch guns and machine-gun fire from the trawler. The U-boat opened fire with her machine guns from the conning tower, and the gunlayer of the Lady Shirley’s four-inch gun was killed. His place was at once taken by Sub-lieutenant French, R.N.R., who kept the gun in action and scored several hits on the U-boat. Seaman W. W. Windsor and Seaman S. Nalcrow, who were manning the Lady Shirley's machine guns, in spite of both being wounded, kept the guns in action until the U-boat* surrendered. Gunlayer Seaman L. W, Pizzey was the only fatal casualty on the Lady Shirley.

After having been hit by several four-inch shells, the U-boat crew held their hands above their heads and shouted that they surrendered. The Lady Shirley immediately ceased fire and the U-boat sank. The survivors from the U-boat were rescued from the sea. One of them expressed his admiration for the way in which the action had been fought by the trawler against a larger and better-equipped adversary. The Lady Shirley has arrived at Gibraltar with her German prisoners. The total complement of the officers and men of the trawler was not more than 30. Her ship's company are Royal Naval Patrol Service Ratings. The King has approved of the award of the D.S.O. to Lieutenant-commander Callaway. On receipt of the detailed report immediate consideration will be given to other awards for this successful action against the U-boat.