The Dominion. SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 1941. THE STRENGTH OF THE NAVY

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 139, 8 March 1941, Page 10

The Dominion. SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 1941. THE STRENGTH OF THE NAVY

Coming so soon after Mr. A. V. Alexander’s speech in the House of Commons, the news of the naval coup in the Lofoten Islands lends impressive emphasis to all the First Lord said of Britain’s power at sea. By all accounts the raid on the German-held centre of the Lofoten Islands fish-oil industry—a raid which cost the enemy 10 ships, as well as a supply depot for a valuable war product—was carried out with the British Navy’s typical verve and effectiveness. Apart from the results achieved, and the manner of their achievement, this new, brief drama in the north proves that British authority over those waters remains unimpaired. It may be true, as the Germans claim in exaggerated detail, that certain raiddrs and enemy supply ships are able to slip to and fro from their bases to the North Atlantic and the northern Norwegian ports. The Navy cannot be ’ everywhere on the’ North Sea at once. But H.M. ships go where they wish on the high seas, and hold the whip hand. They command the sea. Mr. Alexander’s review was an assurance—if any were needed —that Britain is allowing nothing to interfere with the maintenance and expansion of the Navy in order that it may fulfil the tremendous tasks and responsibilities now devolving upon it. This assurance—or reassurance —will be welcomed wherever the British flag flies, for the Navy is undertaking not only the protection of the British Isles and a relentless defensive campaign against the U-Boat —not only the bottling-up of the German and Italian navies—but also (in conjunction with the Dominions’ ships), the guardianship of all the Empire’s vital lines of communication. Some reinforcement has been lent to the Fleet by Free French, Polish and other ships. But Britain is carrying the load, and the First Lord is able to say: In spite of losses and the necessary returns for refitting, the number of ships in most classes, especially destroyers, now at sea or instantly ready for sea, is greater than at any time since the war began. When all the multitude of tasks and incidents of sea warfare during the past 18 months are taken into account, this reveals itself as a grand achievement—the finest possible tribute to the Navy’s capacity for organization, the work of Britain’s shipbuilders and the worth of her shipyard workers. The Navy and all who serve in it, maintain it, and work to increase it, have the free, democratic world in their debt. On the Empire’s outposts, where the sea is our life and control of it the key to our liberty, the work and example of the Navy should be kept constantly in mind.