WAGNER: No, I did not keep it, but I signed it.
COL. PHILLIMORE: You signed it. Did you read it before you signed it?
WAGNER: The essential parts, yes.
COL. PHILLIMORE: You see, it reads: “News from the Neutrals,” and it is headed “Spain”:
“According to a report from the naval attaché, Spanish fishing vessel was sunk by a submarine of unknown nationality between Las Palmas and Cape Juby. In the rescue boats the crew was subjected to machine gun fire. Three men badly wounded. Landed at Las Palmas on 18 December. Italians suspected. (Possibility it might have been U-37).”
Then on 20 December, the next day:
“Commander, Submarine Fleet, will be informed of Spanish report regarding sinking of Spanish fishing vessel by submarine of unknown nationality on 16 December between Las Palmas and Cape Juby, and requested to conduct an investigation. On the responsibility of the Naval Operations Staff it is confirmed to our naval attaché in Madrid that, regarding the sinking, there is no question of a German submarine.”
When you reported that, you thought it possible, did you not, that it might have been U-37; is that not so?
WAGNER: It seems to me that in the meantime it became known that it was not U-37.
COL. PHILLIMORE: I will read on. This is under date of 21 December: