GREAT IMPORTANCE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 91, 14 October 1943, Page 5

GREAT IMPORTANCE

AZORES AS ALLIED BASE

A GERMAN'S ADMISSION

(By Telegraph—Presa Association —Copyright.) LONDON, October 13. "Speaking about two years ago, when the status of the Azores was under discussion, the' German naval spokesman, Admiral Lutzow, ; stated: 'The importance of the Azores in naval and air fighting cannot be overestimated,'" Said Mr. A. J. McWhinnie, the naval correspondent of the "Daily Herald," when commenting on Mr. Churchill's announcement that the Allies had secured facilities in the Azores, "Tonight U-boat commanders will be' thinking of those islands as a midocean aircraft-carrier from which aircraft can range over hitherto unpatrolled areas, striking viciously at any enemy underwater or surface vessel they may sight, as one more in the ring of naval bases from which surface vessels will operate against them, and as the home of depots and repair shops in which the aircraft and warships can be supplied and repaired," said Mr. McWhinnie. "The biggest island is San Miguel, about 40 miles long by 10 miles wide. It possesses a fine port, with oil pipe lines for the refuelling of ships carried right down to the- jetties. Ships up to 10,000 tons can be berthed, and there is a fine anchorage outside the main harbour for a whole fleet of escort and convoy ships. There is a seaplane base with repair shops and also an airfield. "The next most important island is Fayal, about 11 miles by 8," with a good harbour at Horta protected by an 800-yard mole and a fine anchorage capable of accommodating capital ships. Elsewhere among the nine islands there are two very wellequipped airfields. I "The importance to us of their j acquisition is gi'eat," declared Mr. McWhinnie. "They will fill a gap in the air cover of many of the main trade routes of the Atlantic, since they lie at what is a virtual crossroads of merchant shipping. Ships which hitherto have had to take the northerly route even in winter will be able to steam on the normal and less dangerous winter' route." "• ,