CEASELESS BATTLE

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 228, 23 June 1941, Page 8

CEASELESS BATTLE

Greatest Task In Navy’s History (British Official Wireless.) (Received June 22, 7.15 p.m.) RUGBY, June 21. Opening the War Weapons Week at Mansfield, the First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr. Alexander said the Navy had been fighting every day since September, 1939, and that since June, 19-10, had undoubtedly faced a task which in magnitude in relation to its strength exceeded anything in British naval history. Referring to the Battle of the Atlantic, Mr. Alexander said the enemy was undoubtedly straining every nerve to succeed iu his desire, if at all possible, to get a stranglehold upon us. Every day and night lie was being fought and attacks upon submarines, both by surface craft and by aircraft of the Coastal Command, were ever increasing, and he had no doubt that the enemy was suffering great damage. Undoubtedly the destruction of Bismarck and her supply ships, and the damage to Seharuhorst and Gneisenau and the pocket battleship would prove to be great factors contributing to our ultimate victory. Though merchant shipping losses iu April and May had been grievous and heavy, Mr. Alexander pointed out that a considerable part of the tonnage lost was in the Mediterranean during recent battles and that a great deal of Greek tonnage lost was destroyed by enemy aircraft in Greek ports. This was a loss which would not recur.