ARCTIC ROUTE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25142, 5 February 1943, Page 5

ARCTIC ROUTE

GERMAN AUXILIARY CRUISERS OPERATIONS IN PACIFIC (Rec. 0.30 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 3. Speaking over the Berlin radio for the first time since the change in the German naval command, the naval spokesman, Vice-admiral Luetzow, declared that Germany stakes of victory on the co-operation OTxween auxiliary cruisers and U-boats. 1 ' “ Our auxiliary cruisers,” ha said, “ are dovetailing with one another, and the whole of their activity benefits the U-boat warfare.”

Giving a number of previously unknown details about German auxiliary cruisers. Admiral Luetzow revealed that those operating in the Pacific travelled via the Northern Arctic Ocean along the narrow straits between Siberia and the ice zone.

“ There were unexpected difficulties,” he said, “but the possibilities of this route have been proved. One of the auxiliary cruisers’ most important devices is for the intercepting of enemy radio messages revealing the position of enemy shipping. We intercepted two .whaler flotillas in the middle of January. As the result of picking up their radio messages, the auxiliary cruisers captured three large ships and 10 smaller whalqrs. All were sent home as prizes, only two being lost en route.”

Admiral Luetzow said that auxiliary cruiser motor ships were able to stay out a considerable time. Some had been 20 months at sea without refuelling at their base.