1939-12-12 — Page 6

THE CHINA MAIL, DECEMBER 12, 1939

ESCAPE OF THE ORZEL Thrilling Story Of Polish Submarine Exploit

SAFE IN ENGLAND AFTER SERIES OF ADVENTURES

London, To-day.

A THRILLING ACCOUNT of the escape of the Polish submarine Orzel from the Baltic to Eng- land became available in London yesterday. Here is a general outline:-

When Germany invaded Poland, the Orzel slipped out of Gydnia and cruised, submerged, in the Gulf of Danzig for four days. It was not long before she was bombed by German aircraft and so she made for the wider waters of the Baltic,

FISHERY

QUESTION AGITATION

Tokyo, To-day. The Japanese press is again engaged with the fishery ques tion.

One paper states that the view is rising in some quarters that if the Soviets continua in their present attitude Japan will take definite measures to look after her "northern rights."

The question might soon be- come a matter of serious concern. -Rauter.

dodging a cordon of Nazi destroyers on the way, CHINESE The captain was a sick man before the trip started

and he was so ill that he had to be hoisted to the VICTORY conning-tower by rone. It was decided, as he grew worse, to land him at a neutral port, and IN FUKIEN so the submarine put in at the Esthonian port of Tallin, where the First Lieutenant took com- mand.

an-

As a German merchantman · was leaving port, the Esthonia authorities made the submarine stay in port for

They then another 24 hours. nounced that

had the submarine exceeded the time allowed under in- ternational law to remain in a neutral port and so she was under arrest!

The breech-blocks, charts and small arms were removed and preparations were made to take off the torpedoes. were put on the sub- Two guards marine, one on board and one on the jetty.

GUARDS OVERPOWERED

the A Polish officer severed wire holsting the torpedoes out of the submarine and so operations. were postponed. Meanwhile, the captain was busy with a hack- saw sovering all the hawsers de-

submarine taining the

except

one.

+1

A plan was worked out to over- power the guards and get away from Tallinn as quickly as possible. At midnight, two burly sailors approach- ed the guard on the jetty, engaged him in conversation and, taking him unawares, bundled him into the sub- marine, The guard on board also overpowered and an officer cut the wiren to the searchlights and telephone.

FIRED AT

HINGNING, KWANGTUNG,

TO-DAY.

PUPPET IN-

THE JAPANESE TROOPS WHICH RECENTLY

A TOWN ON narrow escape from Nazi destroyers VADED CHAOAN,

SOUTH FUKIEN BORDER, in shallow water off the Swedish | THE

FROM EAST KWANGTUNG, HAVE coast.

the BEEN ROUTED.

at

In

They had difficulty in getting right trim, and their submarine times was almost unmanageable. addition, they frequently had to down to the bottom to escape Nazi destroyers.

AFTER 44 DAYS

go

In the North Sea, their radio went

on

After the recapture of Chaoan December 7, Chinese militia units in Fukien chased the enemy across the

BRITAIN'S IMPROVING EXPORT POSITION

London, To-day,

Sales of British commercial vehicles abroad in the four

months August - November were higher than the corres- ponding period in 1938.

Exports to Australia were up 39 per cent. and to the West Indies 45 per cent.

Orders from Holland of one make of car were up 61 per cent.

are a

The increase in British competitive power is due, firstly, to the deprecia- tion of Sterling, and secondly, to the risk of a petrol shortage throughout Europe which increases the demand for low-power cars, which speciality of British manufacture.

Another reason is the elimination of German competition on overseas markets. This hitherto has been severe owing to Germany also spe- cialising in small cars and to her Reuter. heavily subsidised exports.

SHANGHAI STRIKE

provincial border and after establish- SETTLED

ing contact with the Chinese troops delivered in east Kwangtung, they further blows.

troops

The Japanese and puppet are now reported to be retiring

Shanghai, To-day.

to The Sun Company em-

out of action, so that they could put their warships anchored in Taiching-ployees' strike has been satis-

out no recognition signals, placing British them at the mercy of both and German anti-submarine craft.

Finally, however, they got a faint, message through to a British shore station, and a British destroyer came out and escorted them triumphantly into harbour, after 44 days. The Orzel is now part of the Royal Navy -Reuter.

they were

NOT ASKED FOR PAROLE In Tallin (adds British Wireless) not asked for parole and with the light of a lighthouse the only guide to navigation they fled submerg- ed.

The next night the captain brought and the submarine to the surface was

charged the batteries.

The sound of the forward capstan, however, gave them away and de- stroyers in the harbour turned on their searchlights and peppered the submarine with rifle fre. The Orzel made for the entrance to the harbour,

here it ran aground.

espite rifle fire, they managed to get out, and the Poles refused to torpedo the merchantman, which they passed en route.

to

Hunting craft set out after them, but the submarine managed elude its pursuers. There were. only five torpedoes loft and the

search captain` decided to German ships as long as the tor- padoes fasted and then make for England.

for

·MANY GROUNDINGS

first landed the guards on a Inland, sending out radio stating out in two men

a

For a fortnight, they cruised around, chiefly in shallow waters, fn which they frequently grounded.

On the 38th day, when water sup- plies were running low, they decided to try and reach England, having a

of

They made for the Swedish coast, and when they sighted a flotilla German destroyers the water was too shallow to attack with any chance of escape.

That night they arose to periscope depth and went ahead but soon after- wards grounded.

several

Getting afloat again and times again grounding and extricating themselves, they grounded on the sur- face.

SEARCHLIGHT THRILLS

A searchlight from a destroyer time after time swung past within a few yards.

They realized they had floundered into a channel so shallow that the German did not bother to search it.

the In desperation they blew all tanks and refloated,

but

They attempted to creep away were discovered and destroyers were

after them.

They submerged, and lay quiet at the bottom and next day decided to try a dash and set cours" for England

When they arrived in England they had only three redusata to land the sick cook, replenish water supplies. and be given breech blocks for thar guns. They were then prepared to go to sea forthwith on trol it pleased the British employ them—

wan Bay at the eastern tip of Kwangtung coast."

the

factorily settled and the men 500 have returned to work.

It is estimated that at least

and 200 inflicted casualties were

taken Japanese and puppet soldiers prisoner. In addition, numerous pup- pet troops surrendered.

50-

is, The Sincere Company strike however, still unsettled, but negotia- tions are proceeding between re- presentatives of the employees the management.

and

The problem is likely to be settled to-day, according to spokesmen of the management and the employees.

A report from Yaoping, east Kwang- tung, states that Huang Tawel, called commander of the Japanese- "National Reconstruction sponsored

All local branch stores of the Sin- Army," who supports Wang Ching- wei and his "chief of staff” Lin Wen- cere Company, have joined the strike. It is understood that the manage- yuan have been captured by militia units under the commander of Magis-ment of the Wing On Company were trate Chen of Yaoping.-Central News. also presented with requests for in- creased wages from their employees. This has been settled quietly,

The main reason supporting men's demand for increased wages was the increased cost of living. Our Own Correspondent.

PAKHOI

ATTACK IMMINENT

Kwong Chow Wan, To-day. A surprise attack on Pakhoi is be- lieved imminent and it is reported that some 2,000 Japanese troops are being withdrawn from the Kongmoon area to take part in the invasion..

These reports, however, could not be confirmed last night.

The French authorities are never- theless taking precautions along the

border.

the

TOMMIES ON XMAS LEAVE

LONDON, TO-DAY. THE FIRST BATCH OF BRITISH TROOPS ON CHRISTMAS LEAVE ARRIVED YESTERDAY; THEY ARE MOSTLY MARRIED MEN WHO WERE AMONG THE FIRST OF THE B.E.F. TO GO ABROAD. THEY WILL HAVE A BREAK OF 10

DAYS.

"

Meanwhile, halted by the Chinese

There will also be Christmas leave in the hills north of Nanning, the Ja- for some officers and men of the panese are now mainly occupied with RAF. in France, and if ship move- attempting to clear the Yamchowments do not prevent it, the Navy Nanning highway of guerillas who will also get Christmas leave have proved a constant source of wor- rather, part of it will ry since the Japanese landed.--Our Own Correspondent.

WEATHER REPORT

The Royal Observatory reports that a strong anti-rvelone covers China and Korea, and is extending eastward to Japan.

"A depression appears to be forming

or

* All those on leave are given free travelling vouchers. '--- Reuter.

CYPRUS FUND

London, To-day. -inhabitants of Cy afund to