- Author
- Wright, Ken
- Subjects
- Battles and operations, Ship histories and stories, WWII operations
- Tags
-
- RAN Ships
- None noted.
- Publication
- September 2006 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)
At first light, Lt. Cdr. Pizey brought the submarine up to periscope depth and quickly scanned his victim; concluding that the ship could not be salvaged, continued his patrol.
In the early morning, the prisoners were able to lower a small cutter and using a light rope attached from ship to shore as a means of propulsion, an Italian sailor hauled the small boat to and from the ship. A surviving prisoner stated that the only reason this lifeboat was still on board is because the German had to shoot two Italians and one prisoner to save it from being lost in the panic after the torpedo strike. Again, Private Spence Edge wrote:
‘The wounded had not been forgotten by the German. He was well aware they could not be put ashore via the cutter without subjecting them to additional pain. He prepared a stretcher stiffened by wooden slats and slung the stretcher from the lifeline which was now pulled taut and prepared to lower the wounded to the beach. The wounded had passed the night without sedatives to ease the pain but again the German tried his best to help by supplying brandy and cigarettes to as many as he could. The medical orderlies had done their best and it is due to their dedication to duty and their fellow man that many men survived the ordeal. Unfortunately, despite their best efforts, ten died through the night but thirty made it to shore. The German seemed to be everywhere encouraging, supervising and harassing. As darkness approached, many had to stay onboard as the Italians could not or would not continue the rescue operation until the morning.’
Five hundred men had died, mostly from the torpedo blast. Some died of exposure or whilst attempting to reach shore or through lack of medical treatment on land but the German, through his courage and determination, had saved 1,500. Although he was the enemy, he first offered hope to his fellow man, became their saviour, then disappeared from history. All recent efforts to trace him have failed.
References.
- Mason, Wynne W. Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War – Prisoners of War. 1939-45. War History Branch, Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington, New Zealand. 1954. (Reference to International Red Cross proposal).
- Dalley, Bronwyn. Chief Historian, Ministry of Culture and Heritage, Wellington, New Zealand.
- Collett, Martin.. The Museum Library. Auckland War Memorial, Auckland, New Zealand. (Permission to use extract from Jim O’Connell’s letter.)
- The kind assistance of the following is acknowledged: Smithwick, Francis. South Tweed Heads, NSW, Australia.
Special reference.
- Edge, Spence: No Honour, No Glory. William Collins, Auckland. 1983.
(The author has made every effort to locate Mr. Edge and wishes to apologise for any copyright transgressions.)