CHASING RAIDER

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 78, 23 October 1939, Page 8

CHASING RAIDER

HIDE AND SEEK GAME

SEARCH FOR VON SCHEER

A game of hide-and-seek has begun on the high seas. The German "pocket" battleship, Admiral von Sclieer is somewhere on the trade routes and the British Navy is after licr. This is one example which shows that naval warfare is not all forcc. British wits will be matching German wits, and the detailed story of this we shall know, perhaps after the war is over. When, nearly a year ago, a large section of the German fleet put to sea,, and the question arose about the value of these ships as raiders in time of war, a naval expert was asked what would happen. "Doubtless tliey could do a lot of damage, but you may rest assured that in the end we would get them. I doubt whether one of them would get back to Germany," said the expert. In a lesser degree, this applies to the Admiral von Scheer. In Rich Waters. The raider has appeared on the trade routes of the South Atlantic. There she has a rich area in which, to operate, and it is in this locality that she is most likely to be assistance in the way of supplies.

British shipping maintaining trade between South America and Britain is considerable, and by travelling some hundreds of miles lo the east she can place herself athwart the rich shipping avenue from Australia and South Africa to Great Britain.

German influences have been strong in South America. Brazil has felt them, and so has the Argentine. German agents in these areas might be able to assist in the provision of a supply ship to refuel the Admiral von Scheer. If the chase becomes too hot in the South Atlantic, it is not beyond the bounds of possibility that the raider Avill attempt to sink ships in the Indian Ocean. Carries 'Planes. What are the advantages of a modern raider of this type? She will he abie to use a facility not available to the raiders of the.Great War She lias a catapult and two aeroplanes. : These machines will be used to the full. Already, it-is reported, one of the planes was used in the sinking of the British steamer Clement. Prey may be located 100 miles ori

more away, but this Avill have a disadvantage, for the sighting of aircraft in mid-ocean may start wireless sets talking and give British searchers an indication of the enemy's whereabouts. A German cruiser in the last war played a great game of hide-and-seek with British warships, taking shelter in the Strait of Magellan, where arrangements were made 'by enemy agents for her to be coaled.

The Admiral von Scheer today would have a greater range than the cruiser of 2o years ago, but she also has a disadvantage. Engined with diesels, any old fuel oil will not do her. Oil of the correct type will be required,, and this may add to the worries of her commander. Job For Battle Cruisers. One of the delights of the raider's commander probably wiM be the sighting of a nice big fat tanker, which should be able to give hi in more than he requires if the chase is not made too hot, and the transfer can be made in a calm sea. Tt is probable that a British squadron has been detached to run down the Admiral von Scheer. Battle cruisers would be highly suitable for the task. With a speed of iiH-a knots, this class of ship car-

ries six 15-ineii guns

The "pocket'' battleship have six 11-inch guns, Mill) a range of IW.OOO yards. The I'; i tish ships would be able to out-range the Admiral von Scheer, and Mould have an advantage of several knots in speed. Several other British capital ships nave speeds closely approaching that of the Admiral vois Scheer, and greater gun power.