U-BOAT FAILURE

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 August 1943, Page 5

U-BOAT FAILURE

SINKINGS

(Recd. 1.35 a.m.) WASHINGTON, August 16

The Allies are sinking U-boats twice as fast as Germany can build them, say naval experts commenting on the statement by Mr, Roosevelt, and Mr. Churchill that 90 U-boats have been sunk in the past three months. The Germans’ building capacity was previously estimated at 15 to 25 U-boats a month, but because of Allied bombardment of German shipbuilding yards and engine plants naval authorities believe the present production is less than 15 a month and probably will decrease further under more intense air attacks. They also believe that the present U-boat reserve is less than 300. The naval correspondent, of the London “Daily Express” declares that Germany still has 500 U-boats and Italy and Japan less than 100 each. The “Daily Telegraph’s” naval .writer enumerates four significant points: Firstly, we have been destroying Axis submarines faster than they are being built. Secondly, we have been building up a vast reserve of shipping. Thirdly, we have inflicted losses on trained submarine personnel amounting to between 15,000 and 20,000 officers and men. Fourthly, we have learned that invasion can be carried out at a loss in shipping far lower than we had expected. The “Daily Express” naval correspondent says Allied merchant shipping is now at least five or six million tons stronger than at the beginning of the year. This is due. apart from the successes against the Üboats, to the United States having doubled its merchant shipping tonnage—six million tons were delivered this year—and the freeing of two million tons of supply shipping by the reopening of the Mediterranean route.