SHIPPING LOSSES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23965, 15 May 1941, Page 10

SHIPPING LOSSES

BRITISH AND NEDTEAL 1509 VESSELS TO DATE RECENT FIGURES LOWER (Rml. 7.10 p.m.) LONDON", May 13 The fact that losses of merchant shipping due to enemy action in the period of just over four weeks in April, excluding those incurred in the Greek evacuation, totalled 301,070 tons, and were the lowest monthly figure for II months, is regarded in authoritative quarters as an indication that the measures being taken "by Britain in the Battle of the Atlantic are proving effective, says a British official wireless message.

There is no sign that the efforts the enemy is making will enable him to obtain the quick victory for which he is seeking. It must be remembered that the March figures were the highest for II months —excluding June, which contamed the Dunkirk losses—and also that although it is fair to omit the losses in the Greek campaign when studying the course of the Atlantic battle, the tonnage lost then reduced carrying capacity as much as if it had been lost elsewhere

The total losses from May 1, 1940, to April .'3O, were 4,734,407 tons —including Dunkirk and Greece —with a monthly average of 394,534 tons; while excluding Dunkirk and Greece, they totalled 4.130,007 tons, with a monthly average of 369,172 tons. British losses so far during tho war total 923 ships, made up as follows: Ships Total Ton. 1939 (4 months) .118 424,305 1940 000 2.382.221 1941 (4 months) 250 1,089,716 Totals . . . . 923 3.896.242 The combined losses of British, Allied and neutral shipping are: Ships Tonnage 1939 (4 months) 211 741,614 1940 929 3,708,700 1941 (4 months) 369 1,617,359 Total . . . . 1509 6,127,673 A substantial part of the neutral tonnage sunk by the enemy was never chartered by Britain and was not trading with her, while the figures include approximately 50,000 tons of Italian and Japanese shipping sunk by the Germans beforo Italy entered the war. WAR FATALITIES DEATH DUTY EXEMPTION LONDON, May 13 A clause is to be inserted in the Finance Bill, according to a statement by Sir Kingsley Wood, Chancellor of the Exchequer, providing that in the case of a civilian whose death is due to injuries caused by the war, relief from death duties will be allowed, similar to those given in the armed forces, says a British official wireless message. The clause will be retrospective to the beginning of the war.

SKILLED TRADESMEN ADMISSION TO AIR FORCE LONDON, May 13 The Air Ministry has announced that by agreement with the Ministry of Labour skilled men in certain electrical and mechanical trades, who have hitherto been reserved, may now volunteer for service with the Royal Air Force, says a British official wireless message. Men of all ages from 18 to 50 are included in the concession. INDIAN WARSHIP LOST 16 MEN BELIEVED KILLED LONDON, May M The Indian Government announces the loss of a naval vessel of 1500 tons, which was attached to the East Indies Squadron. One warrant officer and 15 ratings are missing, believed killed. JAPANESE OFFENSIVE DRIVE ON FOUR FRONTS SHANGHAI, May 13 The .Japanese have launched their May offensive in China on four, fronts. An attempt is also being made to encircle 300,000 Chinese troops between lchang and Hankow. Operations were started against 10 Chinese divisions in the Chekiang Province. The fourth front has developed in South China with fighting along the Tungkiang River, in the- Kwangtung Province.

SHOOTING IN SHANGHAI SHANGHAI, May 13 A gun battle developed when the international police halted a motor ear containing Madame Ho Szetao, wife of the Police Chief of the Japanese-sponsored administration, at the barricades where the Bubbling Well Road divides the Settlement from the badlands area. American marines were called out from their barracks. One person was killed and nine wounded, including Madame Ho and two of her bodyguards. EAST INDIES AIR RESERVE BATAVIA, May 1M To create a new reserve for the air corps the Netherlands Indies is offering free initial flying tuition to men between the age of 17 and "2~ years. Ihe j arrangement will make available 100 army and 40 naval pupil pilots every j six months. \ OPPRESSION OF GREEKS LONDON, May 1.4 Many Greeks are reported to have j been sentenced to five years' imnrison- | merit for offering cigarettes to British prisoners of war. An Athens broadcast states that all Greeks saying that Britain will win the war will be court-martialled.