LOWEST SHIPPING LOSS FOR SIX MONTHS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 166, 16 July 1941, Page 7

LOWEST SHIPPING LOSS FOR SIX MONTHS

ATLANTIC BATTLE

Increasing - Naval Escorts By Sea And Air United Press Association.—Copyright. Rec. 12.30 p.m. LONDON, July 15. The Admiralty announces that mercantile shipping losses in June were 79 ships, aggregating 329,296 tons, the lowest totai since January. The total includes 52 British ships totalling 228,284 tons. 19 allied, of 82,727 tons, and eight neutral ships, of 18,285 tons.

The number of British ships sunk is less than in any month during the past year except for January. The total losses show a decrease on those of May of 25 ships and 168,551 tons gross.

The Germans claim to have sunk during June 778,283 tons of merchant shipping. The Italians claim 98,500 tons sunk. The total compared with the actual losses represents an exaggeration of about 165 per cent. It is estimated that enemy tonnage captured, sunk and scuttled to July 10 totals 3,391,000 tons.

British, Allied and neutral losses in the war are now 1738 ships, totalling 7.118,122 tons. The monthly average for the war is 324.000 tons, including the losses during the Dunkirk and Greek evacuations. Hitler Disappointed An authoritative spoKesman. commenting on the merchant shipping losses, said: "We can assume that Hitler cannot but be disappointed with the results so far. What must be the thoughts and morale of the enemy submarine crews and airmen engaged in the Battle of the Atlantic? The submarine crews have to look forward to an ever-increasing attack from sea and air escorts, to increased help for us from America, and the constant replacement of the ships they sink by others built by our own and American and Dominion yards. They have been sinking, sinking, sinking now for twenty months, but still see large convoys all over the Atlantic." Publication to Cease Britain will not continue to publish at selected intervals shipping losses due to enemy action, because this gives valuable information to the enemv. However, from time to time the Admiralty will consider the publication of losses as may be required.

Well informed observers explain that the enemv has gone farther and farther afield In their efforts to find new hunting grounds for our ships.

"The enemy continues to make just as fantastic claims as ever in the hope of finding out what really happened, as the reports from his U-boat commanders and airmen are necessarily inconclusive," says one authority. "Hitherto we have obliged 'him by giving a monthly check, and we do not intend to do so in the future."