BRILLIANT ACTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25172, 12 March 1943, Page 2

BRILLIANT ACTION

NEW ZEALAND CORVETTES SINKING OF SUBMARINE (P.A.) WELLINGTON. Mar. 11. The return to the Dominion of the crew of one of the New Zealand corvettes which sank a Japanese submarine was announced by the Prime Minister, Mr P. Fraser, in a statement to-night. He said he was sure the citizens of Auckland would avail themselves to the full of the privilege of extending a cordial welcome to these men, who had displayed such outstanding courage and tenacity in the face of overwhelming odds in their brilliant and successful action. He desired most heartily to associate the Government and the people of New Zealand with the welcome and said he felt sure the story of their spectacular success would arouse the greatest enthusiasm among the people of New Zealand.

These corvettes, said Mr Fraser, fought a night action at close range with a large Japanese submarine off Guadalcanal', and completely destroyed it. In the words of the official narrative, the U-boat was more than twice the length and three times the tonnage of the corvettes. It had a considerably higher speed, its main gun fired shells much more than twice the weight of its opponents’, and it was heavily armed with torpedoes. Moreover, the submarine was carrying a landing party of soldiers, who put up a hot fire with rifles and machine guns during the action. The U-boat was destroyed with the loss of all save one of its large company. Part of New Zealand Flotilla

The ships which distinguished themselves in this action formed part of the New Zealand flotilla operating in the Solomons area under the orders of Admiral W. F. I Halsey. With few exceptions, their crews were New Zealanders, chiefly of the Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve. Lieutenant-commander G. Bridson was in command of the corvette which opened the attack, and thrice rammed the U-boat. Lieutenant-commander Phipps commanded the other ship, which finally drove the enemy ashore. Both commanders served earlier in the war in command of minesweepers escorting Channel convoys, for which both were decorated with the. Distinguished Service Cross. On the night of Friday, January 29, the corvettes were on patrol off the northern end of Guadalcanar, when one ship detected the near presence of a submarine and at once proceeded to attack her, her consort standing by to assist. A pattern of depth charges was dropped over the position of the submarine, which apparently was damaged and stopped. A second pattern of depth-charges was also laid, and the U-boat came to the surface immediately afterwards and attempted to escape in the darkness. Both corvettes turned towards the submarine at full speed. The ship which had dropped the depth charges was much nearer, and decided to ram the big submarine, which had opened an acurate fire with its main gun. The corvette struck the U-boat squarely just abaft of the conning tower, at the same time firing every gun that would bear and scoring a number of hits. The enemy’s gun was put out of action and a number of soldiers on the deck were seen to go overboard. Gallant Conduct The corvette broke away and then rammed a second time, securing a glancing blow on the stern of the U-boat, which, though badly damaged and on fire, was still maintaining a good speed. The second corvette was getting shots in whenever possible, and also fired star shells to help to illuminate the scene. The leading corvette’s searchlight was kept trained on the U-boat, from the decks of which troops opened fire with rifles and ma-chine-guns.

Particularly gallant was the conduct of Acting Leading Signalman C. Buchanan, of Port Chalmers, who, while operating the searchlight, was mortally wounded by machine-gun bullets, but remained at his post until he was relieved. He died on January 31. An alteration of course by the submarine enabled the corvette to ram for a third time. The corvette’s momentum caused her to run up to the U-boat’s deck just abaft the conning tower, and the shock of the impact effectively disposed of the \ enemy troops firing at the searchlight by spilling them into the sea. Guns Too Hot to Work The corvette backed out, leaving the enemy seriously damaged and low in the water. The action had lasted lor nearly an hour, and the corvette’s guns were too hot to work. She therefore disengaged and cleared the range for her escort. The submarine had been hit many times and was badly on fire, but was able to maintain a good speed. The second corvette pursued the enemy, scoring several more hits, and the U-boat was making for land when it struck an off-shore reef. At daybreak about 40 feet of the forward part was showing at a steep angle above the water. The action lasted altogether about two hours and a-half, and during that time there was only one casualty in the New Zealand ships. With the exception of one wounded man, who was recovered from the water, the submarine’s whole complement, including soldiers, perished.