REPEATED HITS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24147, 13 December 1941, Page 11

REPEATED HITS

BOMBS AND TORPEDOES HOW SHIPS WERE SUNK MR. CHURCHILL'S REVIEW (Reed. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 11 Referring in his speech in the House of Commons to the serious injuries to the Allied naval power in the fiast, which the Japanese onslaught had brought, Mr. Churchill said: "In my whole experience I cannot remember any naval blow so heavy or so painful as the sinking of the Prince of Wales and the Repulse.

"Those two fast and powerful ships constituted an essentia] feature in our plan ior meeting the new Japanese danger which has loomed against us in the last few months. Those ships had reached the right point at the right moment, and were in every respect suited for the task assigned to them. "In moving his fleet to attack Japanese transports and convoys near the Kra Isthmus, Admiral Sir Tom

Phillips was taking very sound and well-tried offensive operations—not indeed free from risk, but not different in principle from any similar operation we have carried out in the North Sea and the Mediterranean. No Special Weapons

"Both ships were sunk by repeated air attacks by bombers and torpedo aircraft. Those attacks were delivered with skill and determination. Ther« were two high-level bombing attacks, both of which scored hits, and three waves of torpedo aircraft of nine in each wave, which struck our ships, each of them with several torpedoes. "There is no reason to suppose that any new weapon or explosives were employed, or any bombs or torpedoes of exceptional size. Continued Waves of attack achieved their purpose, and both ships capsized and sank after having destroyed seven of the attacking aircraft. Escorting Destroyers

"Escorting destroyers came immediately to the rescue, and have now arrived in Singapore crowded with survivors. We have reascn to believe that the loss of life has been less heavy than it at first appeared; but I regret that Admiral Phillips is amone those reported missing. "Naturally 1 am not prepared to discuss the resulting situation in the Far East and in the Pacific, or the measures which must be taken to restore it. It may well be that we shall have to defend ourselves everywhere with the utmost vigour, in close cooperation with the United States and the Netherlands navies. Hard Period Ahead

"The naval power of Britain and the United States was very greatly superior—and is still largely superior—to the combined forces of the three Axis Powers, but no one can understate the gravity of the loss which has been inflicted in Malaya and Hawaii, or the power of the new antagonists which have fallen upon us, or the length of time it will take to create, marshal! and mount the great force in the Far East which will be necessary to achieve absolute victory

"We have a very hard period to eo through, and a new surge of impulse will be required—and will be forthcoming—from everyone." In reply to a question arising from his statement, Mr. Churchill gave further details of the sinking of the two British battleships.

Air Support Lacking "1 understand it was impossible for shore-based aircraft to give the support to the ships that had been hoped for, because of the attacks which had been made on their aerodromes," said Mr. Churchill, "and Admiral Phillips proceeded on the basis that the clouds, which were very low, afforded effective protection for the offensive stroke which he wished to make. However, at a certain period a break in the clouds enabled his movements to be discerned, and on the way back conditions became favourable for an air attack.

"My opinion is, and 1 believe it is shared by expert authority, that what was done was wisely and rightly done, and wisely and rightly risked, in the circumstances which occurred."

STATUS OF THAILAND LONDON, Dec. 11 Although the situation in Thailand remains exceedingly confused and information scant,y. it is stated authoritatively that the fact emerges clearly that the Japanese are in Thailand in force and that country must now be treated as enemy ocoupied territory. No official decision has yet been reached, however, regarding the general attitude to Thailand and its Government. "* F