NAVAL TACTICS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 196, 20 July 1937, Page 7

NAVAL TACTICS.

CHANGES BY BRITAIN. Important changes in British naval tactics owing to the threat of intensified air and submarine attack, are foreshadowed by a great programme of modernisation. Among new types of vessels are antiaircraft cruisers, of which the Navy already has two of 29 knots, white five more will soon be available, the Tubal class of super-destroyers, and motor torpedo-boats, which are credited with a speed of more than 40 knots. Air li. Cl, By water, naval correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, says each of these new types has been developed to dovetail into a carefully devised scheme that will enable the battle fleet to move freely and with comparative safety in areas where hostile aircraft, submarines and light surface forces might be encountered in maximum strength. The cruising formation in a danger zone probably will be: (1) Minesweepers ahead, followed by ono or more anti-aircraft cruisers; (2) battleships, protected on either flank by light cruisers and heavy destroyers, with one or two anti-aircraft cruisers astern ; (3) cruisers and heavy destroyers. screened by smaller destroyers or high-speed motor torpedo - boats, equipped with depth charges and smoke-making apparatus. Certain ships will be fitted with new submarine listening devices, which have been brought to a remarkable pitch of efficiency. Hostile aircraft approaching from any direction will be within range of 150 heavy anti-aircraft guns, besides numerous multiple pompoms aud lighten machine-guns.

The battle fleet itself will be able to put into the air 150 big fighting aircraft from carriers and catapulted from ships,