U-BOAT SURRENDERS

Evening Star, Issue 24012, 10 October 1941, Page 5

U-BOAT SURRENDERS

SUNK BY TRAWLER A BRILLIANT ACTION (British Official Wireless.) Press Association—By Telegraph-Copyright (Rec. 10.15 a.m.) RUGBY, Oct. 9. An Admiralty communique states: “ A largo German U-boat surrendered as the result of a most spirited action on the part of His Majesty’s trawler Lady Shirley (Lieutenant-commander A. H. Callaway, Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve). The Lady Shirley was on patrol when the U-boat was sighted on the surface. The U-boat immediately dived, and the trawler attacked with depth charges.. These forced the U-boat to the surface, and she was at once engaged by the Lady Shirley with her 4in guns and machinegun fire from the trawler. The U-boat opened fire with her machine-guns from the conning tower, and the gunlayer of the Lady Shirley’s 4in gpn was killed. His place was at once taken by Sublieutenant French, R.N.R., who kept the gun in action and scored several hits on the U-boat. Seaman W. W. Windsor and Seaman S. Nalcrow, who were manning the Lady Shirley’s machine-guns,, in spite of both being wounded, kept the guns in action until the U-boat surrendered. Gunlayer Seaman L. W. Pizzey was the only fatal casualty on the Lady Shirley. After having been hit by several 4in shells the U-boat crew held their hands above their heads and shouted that they surrendered. The Lady Shirley immediately ceased fire, and the U-boat sank. The survivors from the U-boat were rescued from the sea. One of them expressed his admiration for the way in which the action had fought by the trawler against a larger and betterequipped adversary. The Lady Shirley has arrived at Gibraltar with her German prisoners. The total complement of the officers and men of the trawler was not more than 30. Her ship’s company are Royal Naval Patrol Service ratings. “ The King has approved of the award of the D.S.O. to Lieutenant-commander Callaway. On receipt of the detailed report immediate consideration will be given, to other awards for this successful action against the U-boat.” IN NORTHERN SYRIA LARGE BRITISH FORCES REPORT FROM ROME ROME, October 8. The Stefani Agency states that large British forces are concentrated in northern Syria. TOBRUK DEFENCES GERMAN ACTIVITY i British Official Wireless.) (Rcc. .20 a.m.) RUGBY, Oct. 9. A v...;0 communique says that, with the object of trying to limit our patrol activity and regain the mastery in no man’s land, the Germans during the night of October 7 and 8 employed a number of tanks in the areas facing the eastern sector of our Tobruk defences. Undeterred by this new feature our patrols again penetrated deeply into the enemy’s position, seriously damaging ouo German tank by the use of .hand grenades. “ In the frontier area our patrols again scoured the country and our artillery successfully engaged and dispersed a party of the enemy.”

THE OXFORD GROUP POSITION OF LAY EVANGELISTS “ SHOULD OBEY LIRE PATRIOTIC CITIZENS " (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, October 8. Commenting on the debate in the House of Commons on the position of certain members of the Oxford Group in relation to National Service Acts, the ‘ Manchester Guardian ’ states: “ We are a luxurious country or we could not have permitted ourselves the distraction at this critical stage in our existence of a controversy about even the ‘ lay evangelists ’ of the Oxford Group who are to be called up for military service. The degree of heat and sentiment and ‘ high-pressure organisation,’ as Mr Bevin calls it, put into the affair has been excessive and to a large extent irrelevant. As has been shown abundantly, many people do not like tho Oxford Group, and many are passionately attached to it. “ Happiiy, the point to be decided is simpler. It is whether under National Service Acts as they stand the Oxford Group is entitled to be treated as a distinctive religious body like the Church of England or the Methodist Church, or as a social and religious organisation like tho Young Men’s Christian Association. On that point the distinction seems to most of us, as to the Government, fairly clear. We have already been more liberal in our exemptions from compulsory military service than any other country, but wo must draw the lino somewhere. The Government drew tho line, as Mr Bevin showed. They drew it carefully after much consideration, and the' Y.M.C.A. and Toe H have not challenged its ruling, and the Oxford Group also should obey like patriotic citizens.” RAIDING ENEMY PLANES TWO SHOT DOWN (British Official Wireless.) (Roc. 11.18 a.m.) RUGBY, Oct. 9. A JU 88, which approached the south coast early this afternoon, was shot down into the Channel by an R.A.F. fighter. Another fighter on an offensive patrol in the Calais area this afternoon destroyed an ME 109 F.

APPREHENSION AROUSED

PRECAUTIONS IN JAPAN GUARDING AGMNST AIR RAIDS NEW YORK, Oct. 9. The Tokio correspondent of ‘ The Times ’ says the populace’s apprehension. has been aroused by_ a nationwide broadcast by the Vice-Minister of Agriculture, Mr Miura. announcing elaborate plans to guard against a shortage of food as' the result of future air raids He explained that bumper rice crops were expected in Korea and Formosa, but the Government intended to restrict consumption and mix substitutes and synthetics in foodstuffs and drinks in order to permit widely diffused storage and “ guard against transportation being disrupted by bombs.” This, coupled with blackout rehearsals and the newspapers’ adverse comments in America, has aroused the people’s fears. The ‘ Nichi Nichi ’ and other newspapers report that the people are withdrawing funds from the banks in order to hoard foods and other commodities, causing canned goods to disappear from the markets. Mr Miura announced that henceforth potato flour must be partly used in bread. OIL SHIPMENTS STOPPED ACTION BY BRITAIN, UNITED STATES, AND EAST INDIES LONDON, Oct, 9. The Associated Press learns authoritatively that Britain, the . United States, and the Netherlands have agreed to stop all oil shipments to Japan, It is pointed out in London that whatever oil Japan is getting is from sources other than those controlled by these Governments.

DISCUSSIONS WITH AMERICA LIMITED AGREEMENT SUGGESTED (Rec. 8 a.w.) NEW YORK, October 9. The * Herald-Tribune ’ says America and Japan are discussing a limited agreement whereby Japan maintainsthe Pacific status quo and the United States relaxes trade restrictions. JAPAN NOT TO BE TRUSTED DUTCH EXPERT'S VIEWS (Rec. 8 a.m.) BATAVIA, October 9. “ The worst that could happen to us now is that Japan should succeed in talking President Roosevelt into an appeasement policy. We would rather prefer war now.” This outspoken statement was made by the Netherlands East Indies expert. Colonel de Fremery, in an article published in the Netherlands East Indies army journal ‘ Geeft Acht ’ concerning the American-Jap-anese talks. He adds: “ A successful outcome of the talks is unlikely. This is not regrettable. If Japan quits the Axis now she would really become dangerous, because she would undermine us. She will never give up her aggression plans, but will be able to recover her weaknesses and better prepare for a final all-out attack southward. Agreements with Japan are about the same valu6 as with Hitler. Japan’s views can only bo changed by going on with the economic pressure, especially by ever-increasing support to China.” MORE SABRE RATTLING LONDON, October 10. The Japanese Press and radio refer to the increasing international tension. In a broadcast appeal a representative of the Japanese Information Bureau asks the Japanese people to increase the nation’s power. “The United States is hesitating to enter the war, one of her reasons for this hesitancy being the presence of the Japanese fleet in the Pacific,” it was stated. “ The United States is helping Britain with the same motive as she is helping China—to prolong the war so as to ensure United States world domination.”

TURKISH CHROME EXPORTS AGREEMENT WITH GERMANY PREVIOUS NAZI CLAIM DROPPED LONDON, October 8. An agency message from Ankara states that a final agreement has been reached on the question of export of Turkish chrome to Germany. The Nazis have decided to drop their claim for 50 per cent, of the Turkish output and have agreed to accept 90,000 tons in 1943. They have also accepted Turkish 'conditions that armaments already on order will be delivered immediately. The agreement, however, virtually concurs with the previous German demand, as 90,000 tons is about 50 per cent, of the present output, but it is believed that acceptance of this definite figure precludes Germany from n greater amount should the output be increased.

Her von Pupen. who flew t.o Ankara,’ is inspected with Dr Cloclius to sign the agreement within the nest 24 hours. AMERICA'S POSITION DEFINED USUAL SUPPLIES EXPECTED ANKARA, October 8. It is understood that when the American Ambassador, Mr J. V. Macmurray, saw Bay Sarajoglu on October 7 ho presented a formal Note stating that although the United States had no contractual interest in chrome she nevertheless was producing vast quantities of armaments, of which about 40,000,000 dollars’ worth was going or had gone to Turkey. In addition, the United States awarded Turkey a high priority position under the Lease and Lend Act. and was continuing to offer her war materials in the cause of the democracies. United States war production would reach the peak towards 1943, when every ton of Turkish chrome would be needed. Any curtailment of the supplies of chrome to America would be viewed seriously.