|
Letters
Wolf and the SS Matunga, one of her victims Dear Mac., My congrats. on a storehouse of Naval history. For some years now I have been researching Wolf's voyage. My great uncle AR Ainsworth was Chief Engineer on Matunga. I am writing a history of Wolf's impact on Australia and New Zealand. I also plan on organising a get together between relatives of Wolf's POW's and Wolf's crew descendents. I have already been in touch with some ex Matunga people. I noticed a letter from Mr Minns enquiring about Matunga. I have amassed piles of primary sources on Matunga's sinking and the POW camps in Germany. According to my records, Eric Minns appears as "lauchboy" from Newcastle, NSW. I would like to hear from anyone who had a relative on any of the many ships captured and sunk by Wolf. I have been in touch recently with Klaus Nerger in Germany who is Captain Nerger's great- nephew. Cheers,
I am ashamed to say that I am a newcomer to he net. And obviously your website as well. I didn't spend much time at sea with RANR, as my skills are legal. but I have done a lot of work with senior Naval men in my career, recently Rob. Walls and Chris Barry. I grew up in Canberra, surrounded by Naval types who were friends of my parents, eg. Admirals Peek and VAT Smith, Dacre Smyth (recently seen at Dunkirk). So when I qualified in law I was expected to do the right thing and volunteer. But I wasn't sent to Vietnam. Did prosecuting of "conshies' instead. I see there are a few enquiries from your followers about Matunga. Please make it known that I have complete passenger lists for Matunga, Cumberland and Wairuna (NZ) sunk by Wolf. Also, I have done a lot of work on the Rabaul Garrison. So I'm a pretty full bottle on Colonel Strangman (Adelaide) and Major JW Flood and wife, who were based at rabaul as medico's (not the wife of course)!! I have recently received a "blessing" from David Burns , managing director of Burns Philp who likes my idea of a "reunion." Please let any Wolf watchers know that I would welcome any requests for information. And also any expressions of interest about the "reunion, which will probably take place in Sydney. Regards
I don't think that I responded to your two interesting E-Mails about Wolf and Matunga. We have been travelling a good deal, I take my laptop to Sydney, but when we went to Queensland, I left it behind. As I seem to get a lot of mail about AHOY and the items I write about, sometimes I am a deal behind in my correspondence, and I apologise for a late response, I always like to talk to people who take the trouble to write to me. Of course Wolf was one of the most successful of the WW1 German Armed Raiders, I don't think I kept the Minns E-Mail address, I cull them every now and then, so just hope that Eric might scan AHOY now and then, and notice your offer to help with the lists from Matunga. Nice to hear from you and good luck with your reunion proposal. Regards,
My journey along the trail of the Wolf continues. Recently I uncovered some press reports on the crews of the American ships captured by Wolf. I am following up with research into what the Danish press had to say about Wolf's prisoners ( women children and sick) who were released in neutral Denmark, just before Wolf returned to Kiel. However, my present focus is on the various ships that hit Wolf's mines. especially off Cape Town, Colombo, and Bombay. I have seen the list on your website, but I want to look for any human interest stories that might arise from the damage to these ships. Press reports at the time in those countries are of special interest. But I wonder if any naval history buffs have details about any of these victims of Wolf. In reading about's wolf's achievements, it is easy to become distracted by the captured ones and the prisoners. But the victims of Wolf's mines were pretty significant troop ships. Hope someone may be able to assist with any memoirs, photo's or press clippings. With thanks,
Peter is chasing any news about victims of the mines laid by Wolf. His comment about Danish press reports is interesting, I have asked him if there is any mention of J Turner. Terry will you please add Peter's message to our site, in case it draws any comments from our readers. Thanks, Peter, Here is an E-Mail that recently came my way about J Turner a stoker from SS Matunga sunk by Wolf, being buried in Switzerland. In the Danish press reports are there any mention of names of prisoners from Wolf, if so, was Turner mentioned please? We will add your E-mail to AHOY, and hope it may draw some comment. Nice to hear from you, and although its early days, all the best for Christmas and 2005. Best regards,
I thought this track chart of Wolf's voyages, including where she laid mines, may be of some use to you. It comes from the Book: "The Cruise of the Raider Wolf" by Roy Alexander, Published by Angus and Robertson Limited, Sydney and London, 1939. All the best,
Hi Mac, Had time to kill and was looking at your web log of letters and noticed a letter from Peter Ainsworth Hohnen mentioning that he had piles of information on the SS Matunga and the Wolf. I would be grateful if you could pass on my email address so we might make contact. Also if there is anybody else that has any information on the Matunga and Wolf I would be very grateful. Cheers for now, Greg Minns Phone: 07 32792951 Mobile: 0412 437 557 Email: toeyco@gil.com.au
|
