SOVIET FLEET

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23402, 19 July 1939, Page 13

SOVIET FLEET

RAPID DEVELOPMENT GERMAN ADMIRALTY REVIEW BUILDING OF BATTLESHIP SCORES OF SUBMARINES LONDON. July 33 A review by the German Admiralty describes the Russian naval programme as being larger than- is generally assumed. In the Leningrad area alone, it states, four yards are working at full pressure in new construction work, including a .'55,000ton battleship, three heavy flotilla leaders, two aircraft-carriers, and 72 submarines. The fortress and naval base at Kronstadt is said to have been developed on an impressive scale, while the approaches to Leningrad are guarded by a 50-mile zone of shore batteries and minefields. Sixty new submarines, based on Vladivostok, of which 30 are oceangoing vessels, and also 30 fast, motor torpedo boats, are said to indicate Russia's formidable concentration in the Far East. It is estimated that firstline aircraft at Vladivostok total between 600 and 900. Heavy building for the Soviet's Black Sea programme is reported to bo making progress at Nikolief and Sehastopol, principally in the construction of submarines.

Mr. H. C. Bywater, the naval correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, states that if the figures for the Far East are correct, the menace to Japanese communications must be regarded as serious. He adds that, even if there is some exaggeration of the position, there is ample evidence from more impartial sources that the Red Fleet has become a powerful factor in both the Baltic and the Far East,

BRITAIN'S ARMADA MANY NEW WARSHIPS 40 LAUNCHINGS THIS YEAR BIG BUILDING PROGRAMME LONDON, July 13 By the end of the year more than 40 new warships will have been launched in Britain, says the naval correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, Mr. H. C. By water. "These ships include five battleships, five large cruisers of 8000 tons, seven smaller cruisers of 5450 tons, four 23,000-ton aircraft-carriers, 10 to 15 big destroyers, and nine ocean-going submarines," he says, "in addition, 25 motor torpedo boats and several depot ships are building. Two cruisers will be launched on July 18 and one on July 19. Minor vessels soon to bo launched include three minelayers, which are expected to prove the fastest minelayers afloat.

"In addition to these ships which will bo launched before tho end of the year other ships building and ships authorised, but not begun, include two 40,000-ton battleships, one aircraft-car-rier, four cruisers, 16 destroyers, four submarines, and 22 escort vessels.

"When these vessels have been laid down, ships under construction will aggregate nearly 900,000 tons, compared with 506,000 tons under construction in 1914."

Germany is believed to be building four 35,000-ton battleships, two aircraftcarriers, three heavy cruisers, four light cruisers, more than 40 destroyers, and an unknown number of submarines. Tho total tonnage under construction in Germany is probably about 300,000.

THREE NEW CRUISERS BATTLESHIP ORDERED HOME By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received July 18, 0.5 p.in.) British Wireless LONDON, July 17 Three new cruisers are to bo launched this week. They are the Nigeria, of 8000 tons, with twelve 6in. guns and eight 4in. anti-aircraft guns; the Dido, of 5400 tons, with ten 5.20 in. guns; and the Mauritius, a sister-ship to the Nigeria. It is undcrstod that the TCamillies, at present with the First Battle Squadron in the Mediterranean Fleet, is to be temporarily attached to the Home Fleet for exercises in August. The Ramillics will arrive at Spithcad on Thursday.