SEA POWER PREVAILS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23966, 16 May 1941, Page 8

SEA POWER PREVAILS

Jn spite of the heavy reinforcement in the Central Mediterranean of the Italian air force by the Luftwaffe, the Royal Navy has again demonstrated its power to secure the safe passage of merchant convoys through the narrow waters of the Sicilian Channel. To judge by reports published yesterday, the operation is not one to be undertaken lightly. It has become a major operation because the fire-power of a veritable fleet appears to be necessary in keeping off the air attack and covering the passage. Putting

earlier reports and those published this morning together, the impression is left that the Eastern and Western Mediterranean fleets coordinated convoy. arrangements, exchanging their merchantmen charges in the Central Mediterranean and combining their forces against the enemy air onslaught at the critical stage. The result was a concentration of anti-aircraft tire that, repulsed the attackers. They were further harried by .British fighters, probably launched from aircraftcarriers, losing 16 machines against a British loss of two. The upshot proves that even in narrow waters a sufficient naval concentration can defeat air attack and, in the present; case, nullify it. The demonstration , is important. The shipping shortage ! aggravates the supply problem for British forces in the Middle East, but, if the direct route of 3000 miles can be taken through the Mediterranean instead of the 12,000-mile journey round the Cape, a very material contribution has been made toward the solution of the problem. Tfc is also a help in winning the Battle of the Atlantic.