To Encompass Nazi Defeat In Sea Warfare

Northern Advocate, 26 March 1941, Page 4

To Encompass Nazi Defeat In Sea Warfare

LONDON, March 25.

With the grim battle of the Atlantic opened in earnest, and the Gneisenau and Scharnhorst at large, says a British Official Wireless message, the British press is taking stock of methods by which the defeat of Germany in sea warfare will be encompassed.

Chief stress is laid on United States help culminating in the Lend or Lease Act.

“The Times” says: “No more timely form of aid could have been devised than the 50 destroyers transferred last year.

“The Secretary for the Navy (Col. Knox), stated last week that the next naval transfer would be composed of smaller craft, such as motor torpedo boats, of whfch there are never enough in.the theatre of war.”

Providing More Ships,

From the replacement point of view, “The Times” underlines the importance of the statement by an official of the United States Maritime Commission that about 400 merchant ships would be built for Britain under the Lease or Lend Act. The further statement that the commission is surveying 113 cargo steamers now in coastal service in the hope that they may be employed in Britain’s service, is also warmly welcomed. Supply of Aircraft.

A third method of assistance is the supply of United States aircraft. “The supply of these, says “The Times,” “of which future figures of over 10,000 have been mentioned as the rate of supply to be aimed at in a year, is as valuable to the war at sea &s to the defence of Britain or the campaign in the Near East.” Catching Scharnhorst, Gueisenau An interesting analysis of the chances of survival for any length of time of the Scharnhorst and Gneisenau is made by the “News Chronicle” which says: “The search may continue for many days. “Less heavily armed than any British battleships, they have the ‘legs’ of most of them for speed vrith the exception of the King George V. With nine 11-inch guns, their armament is superior to that of any British bruisers except the .battle cruisers Hood, Renown and Repulse. “While the search has brought results, there may arise difficulties of bringing adequate forces into contact, and in this aircraft may be expected to play an increasingly large part.”