FIENDISH CONDUCT

Camp News, Volume 1, Issue 6, 19 January 1940, Page 5

FIENDISH CONDUCT

NAZIS LEFT HIM TO PERISH IN WRECK. The fiendish conduct of German shipmates who left a British seaman locked in the cabin of a sinking steamer while they sailed away in a British rescue ship is disclosed by Mr. Joseph William Barnard, of Dimond Road, Southampton. He was the intended murder victim, and he has just returned home after an amazing escape from death. He told his story of Nazi treachery co the “Daily Mirror.” Mr. Barnard was quartermaster in the German ship Olinda until the outbreak of war. He joined the ship at Stettin. The day war was declared he was locked in his cabin as a prisoner of war on the orders of the captain. Next day the Olinda was stopped by a British cruiser in the South Atlantic. Captain and crew of the Olinda were ordered to abandon ship before it was sunk. Mr. Barnard was left to his fate by his former friends, and now his enemies. He banged on the door and shouted to attract attention in vain. Then, to his horror, he realised that the ship was sinking and he was alone on board. “I found it difficult to believe that my former shipmates had callously left me to my fate,” said Mr. Barnard. “It was some time before I realised that the ship was sinking and that I had hardly a dog’s chance of escape. Broke Down the Door. “I looked round the cabin and saw a heavy brass fitting attached to the light. I managed to wrench it off, and using it as a weapon I battered a panel of the cabin door until it gave way, and spueezed myself through the opening to freedom. “But I was not out of danger. The ship was sinking rapidly when I got on deck, and there was no other vessel in sight. I did not know how long she would remain afloat so I jumped into the sea. “After swimming for about two hours I saw the British cruiser reappear. “Fortunately for me, .she had circled round and returned to the scene of the sinking. I was sighted and picked up practically all in. “The cruiser landed me at a neutral port and on the following morning I saw the British Consul. Wages Still Owing. “He was able to arrange for me to return to England in a ship which was part of a convoy. I arrived at Liverpool, and came on to Southampton, where my wife was anxiously waiting for me.

Mr. Barnard has one other complaint—that the German shipping company owe him £26 in wages.

Mr. Barnard served in another German ship before joining the Olinda.