NAVAL EXERCISES

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 2 March 1935, Page 5

NAVAL EXERCISES

Unique Experiences Await Travellers on English Liners CO OPERATION WITH FLEETS REALISTIC MAN OEUVRES

.United Tree* Association —By Electric Telegraph Copyright). Received 11 a.m. to-day.

LONDON, March 3. • A unique experience awaits travellers on several liners and freighters engaged in the England-Australia trade, including the Maloja, Oronsay and the Ormonde, which will participate in interesting naval exercises commencing on March 7, involving eight days’ strenuous naval warfare in the Atlantic, and in which the full strength of the Home and Mediterranean fleets will be involved.

~ The Admiralty has specially arranged for the shipping companies’ voluntary co-operation to enable it to make the exercises as realistic as possible. The merchantmen will. answer all signals from the warships, -but their-voy-ages will in no way-, be diverted or delayed.. It is hoped thereby to secure valuable data in connection with defending trade routes. . , ' The opposing forces comprise Redland and Blueland. The Redland forces have gre:|b aerial superiority and a slight preponderance in capital ships and 10,000-ton cruisers. The Blueland forces are superior in light surface forces, small cruisers and destroyers, and also have a small advantage in submarines. The exercises occur due east frem San Miguel, south from Lisbon for 550 miles, thence across the Straits of Gibraltar, down the Moroccan coast to Masagan. The opposing fleets operate over an area of 900 miles depth and 1000 miles across, with a narrow channel for 450 miles. Certain liners have been specially instructed to inform of their nationality and are requested to make wireless enemy reports on their own initiative if anj enemy warship is sighted. Warships sighting the enemy will remain adjacent for half an hour, representing the time occupied in wartime to put a prize-crew aboard. The exercises will involve a comprehensive preliminary organisation, including the safeguarding bf merchantmen against a submarine operating submerged.