INCREASE IN LOSSES

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 3, 3 July 1940, Page 7

INCREASE IN LOSSES

BRITISH MERCHANT

SHIPPING

MORE U-BOATS OPERATING

FRENCH PORTS USED

(By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright.)

Received. July 3, 10.45 a.m.)

LONDON, July 2

The Admiralty announced that Britain lost 88,259 tons of merchant shipping during the week ended. June 24. '

During the worst period of the last war—in April, 1917—Britain lost nearly three times the number of merchantmen and twice the amount of tonnage weekly compared with the losses for the month ended June 24 last.

The sinkings are considerably heavier than in previous weeks, due to the increased number of U-boats which are operating, mainly in the western approaches to the Bay of Biscay, and probably from French ports.

Despite the heavy losses, Britain's actual tonnage position is better than in last December, due to new construction, captures from the enemy,, 'and transfers from other flags.

The Italian mercantile losses to June 30 were 229,000 tons and the German, losses 857,000 tons.

The total British losses include 30,446 tons lost during combined operations off French ports. Therefore they are not mercantile losses in the ordinary sense. Similarly, 33,020 tons out of ■69,770 tons of Allied shipping, were lost in like circumstances. The net mercantile losses are therefore as follows: —British, eight ships, 57,813 tons; Allied, eight ships, 36,750 tons; neutral, eleven ships,. 34,882 tons; total, 27 ships,. 129,445 tons.

It is learned that no British, or Allied ships have been sunk in the Mediterranean.