Far East Fleet On War Footing: 1000 Men Held Or Called Up

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23316, 27 July 1950, Page 7

Far East Fleet On War Footing: 1000 Men Held Or Called Up

(N.7..P.A.—Reuter—Copyright.)

(11 a.m.) LONDON, July 26. The British Admiralty announced today that regular officers and ratings of the Royal Navy would be retained in service beyond their normal periods of engagements in order to increase the crews in the Far Eastern Fleet.

The Admiralty statement said that a limited number of officers on the emergency list and a limited number of ratings and Royal Marines now on the reserve would be recalled.

Sonic officers and ratings due to return to Britain, though not due for release from service, would' be retained on foreign stations. The First Sea Lord, Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fraser, told a press conference that because portion of the fleet was fighting in the Far East it was necessary to bring the ships’ complements up to battle strength. He did not know for how long the stop on releases would be, but estimated it at between six months and one year. Admiral Fraser said that about 1000 men whose service had ended would be retained or called up. Britain's Far Eastern fleet was now on a war footing. It comprised one light fleet-carrier, three cruisers, 16 frigates and destroyers. In addition there were also seven Commonwealth destroyers and frigates.

Britain also had a hospital ship In the area carrying American wounded to Japan. Admiral Fraser said that Britain was sending 90 officers and men for radio and emergency communications to Hong Kong and Singapore.

One aircraft-carrier was now carrying troops and it was possible another carrier would be required for the same purpose.

Most units of the Far East Fleet were now in Japanese waters.