THROUGH NAZI MINEFIELDS

Southland Times, Issue 24163, 27 June 1940, Page 6

THROUGH NAZI MINEFIELDS

BRITISH SUBMARINE’S

PATROL SKAGERRAK AND KATTEGAT VISITED The submarine Seawolf (LieutenantCommander J. W. Studholme —son of Mr W. P. Studholme, formerly of Christchurch but long resident in South Devonshire) was one of the British submarines operating in the North Sea shortly before Germany invaded Denmark and Norway. As soon as Germany took this step, certain British submarines, among them H.M.S. Seawolf, were ordered into the Skagerrak and Kattegat to intercept and sink German warships, troopships, and supply ships. To reach her appointed station, H.M.S. Seawolf had to pass through the German minefields. The passage was safely accomplished, although several mines were seen. Once through the German minefields, the submarines had to-contend with enemy patrols of surface anti-submarine craft and a great deal of enemy air activity. Submarine patrols in enerny waters are always difficult to carry out. This one was made more difficult by reason of the tricky currents in the Skagerrak and Kattegat; the frequent large alterations in the density of the water, which makes it difficult for a submarine to “hold its trim”; and the general absence of navigational aids, such as shore lights. Moreover, the weather was, for the most part, calm, with a bright waxing moon, so that there was little peace or safety, even at night. . It was obvious that great things were afoot in that area, for distant explosions were frequently heard; but it seemed as if the luck of the Seawolf was out. Once she heard that large enemy warships were at sea in the vicinity. She went full speed in an attempt to head them off and get within range, but she never even got within sight of them. After several days of anxious patrolling, in which the Seawolf successfully eluded the ferman air patrols and dodged the enemy anti-submarine craft, the luck of the Seawolf changed.

A German convoy was sighted. Lieutenant-Commander Studholme attacked immediately and was able to fire torpedoes at two of the enemy transports or supply ships. He saw that one of the enemy ships was hit just abaft the funnel, and immediately burst into flames. He heard his torpedo hit the other German ship at which he had fired. H.M.S. Seawolf was counter-attacked by the German warships which had been escorting the convoy. • There followed a few more days of patrolling and another disappointment in the form of a possible attack on a German destroyer, which was foiled by fog. Then H.M.S. Seawolf felt her way through the minefields and home across the North Sea.