RUNNING FIGHT WITH SUBMARINES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 162, 13 July 1942, Page 4

RUNNING FIGHT WITH SUBMARINES

ALLIED SHIP ESCAPES OFF AUSTRALIAN COAST

(Special Australian Correspondent— N.Z.F.A.) (Recd. 6.30 p.m.) Sydney, July 12. An Allied freighter has arrived at an Australian port after a fivehour running fight with two submarines somewhere off the coast.

The submarines attacked the ship at night with gunfire. As the ship altered course to bring her stern guns to bear on the submarines two shells struck her on the starboard side, holing her superstructure. Shots were fired at the submarines but it was soon realised that the gun-flashes were guiding the submarines’ lire. It was then decided to save ammunition for a fight in daylight. A shell explosion started a fire on the ship but it was got under control before the flames made an illuminated / target for the enemy gunners. Throughout the night the submarines continued the chase, shelling the freighter intermittently. Her decks and woodwork were pitted wtth shrapnel. When the submarines came too close depth charges were dropped, but these served merely to keep the enemy at a distance.

At daylight Air Force planes came out in answer to the ship's call for help but the submarines had disappeared.

Earlier, when the ship was in the Bay of Bengal, it was attacked by a Japanese heavy bomber. Examination at an Australian port revealed that a number of plates were loosened by a near miss.