HOLDING THE LINE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 193, 17 July 1941, Page 7

HOLDING THE LINE

NAVY’S GREAT ROLE. DEATH TC)~ U-BOATS. (United Press Association—Copyright.) (Bee. 11 a.m.) RUGBY, July 16. Speaking- in London of the tasks imposed on the British Navy, the First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr Alexander) said: “Let me impress upon you that the supreme qualities of the Navy are shown in tlie accomplishment of such great and intricate operations as the safe transport of the armies and their equipment and supplies to Egypt, and above all, in the work of escort and protection of our merchant shippingin the Battle of the Atlantic.

“This battle is continuous. It is not a battle which flares up and dies away. It is on the whole time. “What is called for in seamanship, endurance, and courage defies description. The situation is always difficult, and to relax for a moment would be fatal.

j “But there arc great encouragej merits: Our escort ships have increasied in number, although it wants many more. Our merchant ships are better armed. The operations of the Coastal Command of the R.A.F., strengthened by flying-boats from the United States, are steadily increasing on our trade routes, and are most valuable. The R.A.F. bombers and fighters, by their increasing attacks on the German-oc-cupied bases, shipping and communications, are al.' interiering with the enemy plans. “It is on the Atlantic that our life depends, and if wo defeat the U-boat and the long-range aircraft our strength will steadily become overwhelming. As to the defeat of tho U-boat 1 am not going to give you facts and figures, lor which the German Intelligence Service would certainly be prepared to pay many thousands of pounds. 1 will tell you, ! however, that during a recent period 1 received a series of reports which would encourage any First Lord. BLOWS TO ENEMY.

“It is not only our shipping which is being si.mk. The Navy and Air Force, singly or in fine co-operation, havo been taking heavy toll of German and Italian merchant ships. Recent figures of enemy losses in this direction have been highly satisfactory. The heavy strain upon the Axis transport system is thereby greatly increased.

“Moreover; every enemy ship thus destroyed makes it more difficult for Hitler to organise the projected invasion of this island. In this connection you may care to hear that aircraft pilots frequently take trips in destroyers, and officers from destroyers havo opportunities of flying as passengers. Jn this way they learn each other’s difficulties and requirements. “When all the branches of those who serve affoat are serving so well 1 hope it is not thought invidious if L refer specially to the Royal Marines. No regiment or corps has a finer and more honourable record. They have been tried to tlie limit in every quarter of the globe and have never failed. In the last hours of tho fierce battle in Crete it was tho marines who fought the rearguard action, never flinching and never yielding. They suffered grievous losses, but proudly sustained the immortal traditions of the corps.”—Official Wireless.