Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE MONDAY, JULY 14, 1941. “BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC”

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 July 1941, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE MONDAY, JULY 14, 1941. “BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC”

art 1 flic estimates as to what are the most important Factors to secure a British triumph in the war, but most of the commentators agree in ranking high the result of what is known as the “Battle of the Atlantic.” Very little official, information is released about the continuous struggle taking place in North Atlantic waters. Figures of British, lost tonnage are published monthly, and these have made depressing reading. Sinkings by U-boats and enemy planes have been, in recent months, more than twice the rate of Anglo-U.S.A. construction, and it is obvious that unless a check is soon made to enemy enterprise, the “Battle of the Atlantic” may be lost, and. Britain deprived of essential food and armament supplies. Comment by leaders in the U.S.A., anxious for Britain to receive the utmost aid from America, tend to take a pessimistic view, but whether this is due to the desire to impress on the public mind the seriousness of the outlook, is open to question. U.S.A, speakers refer to the possibility of a British defeat as if the surrender of the British navy were only a question of time, short of great help from the U.S.A. The people in the Empire do not regard these estimates as well-founded, and scorn any suggestion of the Navy’s surrender or defeat. Nevertheless, the task of the Navy in keeping the seas open is stupendous, and there are limits to endurance and human powers. It is doubtful if it is sufficiently realised how narrow the safety margin may become, and how much is owed to the Navy for so great devotion to duty, and to the mercantile marine for acceptance of the daily risks.

Happily, there is a brighter side to the,story, and it does not appear probable that Hitler will deprive Britannia of her rule over the seas. It is again announced that U-boats are being sunk in greater numbers. No details are given, but the Ministerial words 1

must be accepted, meanwhile. Enemy shipping, too, is being heavily attacked, and if the present rate of sinkings is maintained, Axis vessels outside harbours will become a rarity. Best news of all, however, is the increased production in the U.S.A, yards. It was proved in 1917-18, what the U.S.A, shipbuilders could do, if set to it, and the present drive promises to be equally prompt in results. Britain and Overseas, too, are expediting shipbuilding, as far as facilities permit, and on the whole there is cause for confidence.

In a recent speech on the subject, in the House of Commons, Mr. Churchill said: —“We can probably maintain our minimum essential traffic during 1941. As for 1942, we must look for an immense construction of merchant ships by the United States. This is already in full swing, and I have received assurances of the construction of merchant vessels by the United States which, added to our own large programme of new building and repair, should see us through the year 1942. It may be that the year 1943, if ever we have to endure it as a year of war, will present easier problems.” Mr. Churchill said that the real test was “the number of tons of imports brought into these islands in any given quarter in any given year. At present we are maintaining great progress, though with heavy losses.” The Prime Minister was confident about the final issue, and this should be remembered when considering pessimistic speeches on the subject by other men in the Empire and U.S.A.