U-BOAT CAMPAIGN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 9 February 1943, Page 2

U-BOAT CAMPAIGN

BACK NOT YET BROKEN

VIEWS OF U.S. ADMIRAL (Rec. 1.10 p.m.) Rugby, Feb. 8. “We have not yet broken the back of the U-boat campaign but we hope our efforts this year will be better than last,” said Admiral Stark, who has just returned to Britain from America. He added that co-opera-tion regarding U-boats between the American and British navies was very close. Germany was throwing everything into the vital phase of the war, “but I hope by the end of 1943 we shall have the U-boats where we want them.” The bombing of U-boat services at Lorient and other bases was a vital element in the struggle. Touching on the controversy “fast versus slow ships” for convoys. Admiral Stark said it was obvious that a faster ship was a better ship. He added that America was building a large number of escort vessels and he was delighted with the flow of warships coming along, but still would be glad if it were better. *Z Regarding the Pacific campaign Admiral Stark said America had* done well at sea in the past £»w months. She had taken far greater toll of Japanese ships than vice versa, and had also replaced losses better. This made the result a mathematical certainty but “there will be tough going yet.” Admiral Stark said America planned to make the best possible use of its air forces on a world basis, but the great problem always present was how to concentrate the main force at the most desirable spot. There was constant effort to improve the type of planes and America was building a large quantity of pedo-bombers of high performance —B.O. W.