EXCITING CHASE

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21042, 19 February 1940, Page 7

EXCITING CHASE

ADMIRALTY’S REPORT

JUSTIFICATION OF ACTION MEN BADLY TREATED (United Press Assn. —Eiec. Tel. Copyrlg-ht) LONDON, Feb. 17 An Admiralty communique states: “It will be remembered that the Admiral Graf Spee sank seven British merchantmen in the South Atlantic before Christmas. The officers were held prisoner on board the ‘pocket’ battleship and were tolerably treated; but contrary was the case with the seamen who were confined in the Altmarck, which was an auxiliary of the German Fleet. “According to reports from prisoners liberated from the Graf Spee, the Altmarck was armed with concealed guns and held between 300 and 400 British seamen as prisoners, who, upon evidence from those transferred to the Graf Spee and subsequently rescued, suffered grievous hardships and severities. “The Altmarck vanished from the seas after the River Plate battle on December 14 and no trace of her could be found until approximately Thursday last, when it appeared that the Altmarck was moving down the Norwegian coast, taking advantage of its peculiar configuration in endeavouring to convey her captives through Norwegian territorial waters to confinement in Germany. Vessel Took Refuge “Accordingly, certain of His Majesty’s ships which were conveniently disposed were set in motion, and also certain aircraft reconnaissances were instituted, with the result that a vessel bearing the name Altmarck and conforming in every respect with her description took refuge in a Norwegian fjord called Josing on Friday after coastal reconnaissance aircraft had sighted her and after H.M.S. Intrepid (Commander R. C. Gordon) had intercepted her. “The Admiralty, with the full authority of His Majesty’s Government, gave orders to enter neutral waters and search the Altmarck, and rescue any prisoners if they were found on board. “Josing Fjord has a dead end. Two Norwegian gunboats appeared at its mouth. Captain P. L. Vian, of H.M.S. Cossack, under Admiralty instructions, offered to place a joint AngloNorwegian guard upon the Altmarck and escort her, with British and Norwegian warships, to Bergen, where a search could be conducted and the whole case investigated according to international law. Offer Not Accepted “This offer was not accepted. The captain of the Norwegian gunboat stated that the Altmarck was unarmed and he knew nothing about any prisoners aboard the ship, which had been examined at Bergen on the previous day and permitted to use Norwegian territorial waters en route to Germany. “Upon these assurances, the British destroyer force withdrew from territorial waters; but, after dark, on receipt of Admiralty orders, the destroyer Cossack, with the British commander on board, re-entered the Fjord. “The Norwegian gunboats refused co-operation in the search, but remained passive. The Altmarck manoeuvred so as to try to sink the Cossack as preparations were made to board the Altmarck. but the Altmarck went aground stern first, and the Cossack came alongside and boarded her. Killed or Injured “Fighting followed, in which, according to a wireless message from the Altmarck, four Germans were killed and five seriously injured. There was one British casualty. “The party from the Cossack overpowered the crew of the Altmarck, some of whom fled to the shore, while the remainder submitted. “The Cossack’s party found and rescued between 300 and 400 British prisoners, who had been battened down. They were transferred to the Cossack, which, with other British vessels in company, has now reached British shores. “The liberated men state that during the Norwegian examination of the Altmarck at Bergen their efforts to make their presence known to the searching party were unheeded. Full Report Called For

“A full report has been called for from Captain Vian, whose conduct is highly commended. Reports have also been called for from the freed prisoners upon all circumstances.

“The destroyer Ivanhoe intercepted the German tanker Baldur early in the proceedings. The tanker was passing outside territorial waters. The Ivanhoe’s commander, Lieuten-ant-Commander P. H. Hadow, ordered the tanker to halt, upon which the tanker scuttled herself in typical German fashion.”