SOUGHT BY JAPAN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25848, 19 May 1945, Page 7

SOUGHT BY JAPAN

GERMAN U-BOAT FLEET

HITLER REFUSES REQUEST

LONDON, May 16.

The Japanese tried to get the German U-boat fleet just before the end in Berlin, but Hitler turned down the appeal according to Hitler’s confidential typist, Gerhardt Herrgeselle, in a further interview with the British United Press at Obersalzberg. Hex-rgeselle said he took notes at a conference at which Doenitz submitted the Japanese proposal to Hitler during the first part of April. Admiral Doenitz said the Japanese Ambassador, Oshima, proposed the U-boats should sail for Japan and Japanesecontrolled ports when it became impossible for them to operate from German or German-controlled ports. Doenitz added that he told Oshima Germany intended to continue fighting, and would be using the U-boats. Apparently after reporting this to Tokio, Oshima asked for an interview with Hitler, but events in Berlin moved so fast that the Embassy staff had left Berlin before the interview could be arranged. Doenitz therefore presented a renewed appeal to Hitler on Oshima’s behalf. Hitler replied: “it is out of the question. We shall continue to fight on land and sea and in the ail*.”

Herrgeselle added that Hitler and Doenitz showed great interest in the Pacific from Pearl Harbour until roughly the end of 1942 while the Japanese were winning victories, but thereafter “they did not spend much time on it.”