U-BOAT HEAVY LOSSES

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 October 1942, Page 5

U-BOAT HEAVY LOSSES

ANGLO-U.S.A. BAG

NAVY’S GREAT WORK

RUGBY, October 20. To-day, the eve of Trafalgar Day, Mr. Alexander, First Lord or the Admiralty, revealed that more than 530 Axis submarines had been sunk or ■damaged by Britain and the United States. This figure does not include any attacks made by the Russian Navy, or the French before June 1940 nor are the American figures complete. During the last war, the enemy lost less than two hundred U-boats. Paying a tribute to the Royal Navy, Mr. Alexander quoted what Napoleon said when in captivity: “It was the British Navy that thwarted me at every turn.” Mr. Alexander remarked: “Hitler may well say the same when his turn comes for removal.' Mr. Alexander emphasised three particular changes in sea warfare since 1914/18, which had enormously increased the task of the Navy and the threat to our communications. They were the greatly increased radius and striking power of aircraft, far greater endurance and capabilities of U-boats, and the big extent and variety of enemy mining operations. Countering these was the main task ol' our naval effort and in doing so, the Navy suffered most of its casualties. These had been large, eyen by the standards of last war, but they had not been in vain, for the sea lanes of the United Nations were still open. They must be kept open, so as to get fuel for our bombers over Germany, and so supplies could be sent to Russia and outposts like Malta. No second front would be possible unless we controlled the sea as well as the air. U-BOAT CREW~CAPTURED RUGBY, October 20. The United States Navy Air Corps, operating from Iceland, destroyed the first U-boat which was caught and bombed on the surface by a Catalina Flying Boat. The crew of fifty-two were macle prisoners. BRITAIN'S NEW BATTLESHIPS RUGBY, October 20. The Admiralty announces that two new British battleships, Anson and Hope, are now at sea. Both are ol the George V class, with a displacement of 35.000 tons. Each carries four aircraft, and has a design ensuring improved defence against air atfack. The armament includes 10 14-inch guns of greater range than the 15-inch guns mounted on earlier ships.