GERMAN ALLEGATIONS DISPROVED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 44, 22 February 1940, Page 5

GERMAN ALLEGATIONS DISPROVED

MACHINE-GUNNING OF LIFEBOATS CREWS FROM SCUTTLED SHIPS (By Telegraph—-I’reea Association^—Copyright) i Received Feb. 21, 6.30 p.m. LONDON, Feo, 20. ' In a German broadcast from Bremen last night to Holland and Belgium, the following statement was made: “Eye-witnesses’ reports have been received to the effect that toe lifeboats of the German ship Watussi, which was attacked by British bombers off the Cape of Good Hope on December 2, 1939, and scuttled herself, were machine-gunned by British bombers and chasers.” A complete refutation of this story is obtained by reference to the Souin African newspapers, which contain a verbatim statement made oy Captain Stamer, master of the Watussi, on December 4, wherein he describes in detail the preparations to sink the ship while a single aeroplane was overhead, and he continued: “When everything was ready and when there was no danger to life by abandoning the ship, 1 gave the order to haul up the German flag and tor the passengers and crew in the lifeboats io be swung overboard. Shortly before giving tin? order the seacocks had been opened and the passengers' quarters set or. fire. We were only in the lifeboats for an hour before we were picxed up by a British warship. We luuid not have been better treated by the Navy. The captain stood a drink—believe me I needed it—and the passengers were all given coffee anti food. Nor was my crew forgotten. I'hey received every attention possible.” Although it is not surprising that last nights stoiy was not included in the German broadcast to Africa, a similar story was broadcast in English from Hamburg on February 17! and also put out to Italy, Sweden, Holland and Greece. The later story referred to the German ship Wakama, which was also scuttled to avoid capture and a lifeboat of which, according to the German broadcast, was found off the Brazilian coast “riddled with machine-gun bullets.” The broadcast continued: “In the lifeboat washed ashore were the address cl the Society of German Seamen and clothing bearing the names of the crew oi the Wakama. as well as many documents. Machine-gun bullets were found in the side of the boat.” Although the value o r . this story is about equal to the value of the broadcast about the Watussi, the British Government has been at pains to inquire into the facts ami called fur a report from the captain of the British warship which rescued the Wakanri's crew . The captain’s report states that : he rescued the complete Wakamai crew ami no casualties resisted from the scuttling of the vessel. As the German broadcast alleged their information was derived from the radio at Rio de Janeiro enquiries wee? also made from the British Ambassador, who informed the British Government that the chief of police at Rio de Janeiro issued the following statement: “A lifeboat has been found on the coast of Stanna Island but up to now has not been identified. Th-* boat is being guarded by police according to orders from higher authorities.” Consequently, all other reports regarding the finding of other boats on the coast, which is being watched hy the police, are without feunda’.on.,