GERMAN NAVAL LOSSES

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 April 1940, Page 7

GERMAN NAVAL LOSSES

AUTHORITATIVE SUMMARY

“IMPAIRED STRENGTH” [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.] RUGBY, April 15. Now that more-detailed reports are available of the naval action in Norwegian waters, it is possible to give a fair estimate of what, of the German fleet as it existed at the beginning of the war, is now left capable of action. Authoritative London nayal circles express the opinion that the effective strength of the German fleet consists of one battle-cruiser, possibly one pocket-battleship, one light cruiser, eleven destroyers, and half the number of U-boats. Of her two battle-cruisers, the Gneisenau has been claimed as sunk by the Norwegians, and the Scharnhorst seriously damaged by the Renown. With the Graf Spee scuttled, and the Admiral Scheer torpedoed, there is only the Deutschland left of the pocket-battleships, and she has suddenly become the Lutzow, leaving the former name to be given to one of the new battleships recently launched. At the time of the announcement, the German practice of handing on the names of sunken ships to new vessels was recalled. Of the two heavy cruisers, one, later announced by the German Command as the Blucher, has been sunk, but it is thought that this announcement was probably made to cover the loss of the Gneisenau, and that the Blucher, or other Hipper class vessel, has been sunk as well.

One light cruiser was sunk by the Ursula in December, and one was hit by a torpedo from the Salmon, in the same month, in circumstances which raise the strong presumption that she sank. One was sunk by a submarine on April 9; one was hit by one bomb off Bergen on April 9; the Karlsruhe was sunk on April 10; and one was hit by three bombs on April 10, leaving probably one of this type still serviceable.

Germany (had 22 destroyers, of which 11 have definitely been sunk, with the strong probability of two or three more. '

In the week April 8 to April 14, 19 German transport supply ships were destroyed, and one of 8514 tons and three trawlers have been captured. Other transports have been bombed, and at least two convoys have been torpedoed, but precise details are as yet lacking. It is. probable that certain Nazi ships which were building at the beginning of the war are now in commission, but such naval strength as Germany had is gravely impaired.

The British losses since the new phase of the war began have already been announced. They consist of four destroyers only, one of which, the Gurkha, was sunk by a bombing attack. The battleship Rodney was bit by a bomb, but, sustaining no substantial damage, remained at her station.

VON SCHEER’S DAMAGE. LONDON, April 15. A naval expert opines that if the Admiral Von .Scheer is still afloat, it may be assumed that she is so badly 'damaged that she will be out of the war for a very long time. Disadvantages of pocket battleships, wherein defensive armament is sacrificed to offensive power, are shown when the Admiral Von Scheer’s sistership, the Graf Spee was battered by British guns of a smaller calibre. The- Admiral Von Scheer was possibly hit by more than one torpedo. The Admiralty never overestimates its successes, therefore the phrase “successfully attacked” is significant. SUBMARINES’ EXPLOITS. LONDON, April 15. Commenting on the activities of the British submarines, Vice-Admiral Sir James Somerville pointed out that they had been operating in narrow waters, strewn with mines, and their story, when it could be told in full, would be an inspiring one. The commanders and crews .had shown the greatest courage and endurance, and had done all that'their fleet.mates had expected of them. The Norwegian Navy has also scored some successes. Two large German ships have scuttled themselves to avoid capture by the'Norwegians, one was sunk by Norwegian batteries, 'and one, appropriately named the Kattegat, was sunk by a Norwegian destroyer. FURTHER TRANSPORTS SUNK RUGBY, April 15. An Admiralty communique states: “Further reports from our submarines indicate that another two German transports have been sunk, and that a convoy of enemy transports was attacked in the Skagerrak, when four torpedoes found their mark. “Another attack on transports and aircraft in Bergen was carried out by fifteen aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm, yesterday, when several hits were obtained. 'One transport was set on fire, a small store-ship was sunk, and a large flying-boat was machine-gunned and burst into flames. “One of our aircraft failed to return.” AALESUND ENTERED. LONDON, April 14. Six British warships, which evaded a. bombing attack from 22 German war aeroplanes, are reported to have entered the strategic Aalesund harbour. GERMANS MINE BELT BERLIN, April 15. It is announced, by radio, that Germany has mined the Great Belt, which is the passage between the Danish islands of Zealand and Funen. SHIPS KEEP TO SEAS. RUGBY, April 15. Danish and Norwegian ships are disregarding the advice given by the German wireless, to, remain in neutral ports. This applies to vessels of these nationalities in distant parts of the world, no less than to those nearer home.

Hong Kong reports say it is likely that all Danish shipping firms in the Far East will adopt this course, which is being followed by the Danish motorship Panama, now en route from Manila to Hong Kong. The Norwegian ship Kronviken has left Hong Kong, with cargo for French Indo-China.