ADMIRAL SIR T. PHILLIPS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24274, 15 May 1942, Page 2

ADMIRAL SIR T. PHILLIPS

Sir,—As the niece of the Sate Admiral: : : Sir Tom Phillips, I am anxious to car* rect the feeling of doubt which any of your readers rilight still have of hi« wisdom in taking out his ships, the Prince of Wales and Repulse, without proper air support. Below are extracts from a few of the many letters received by Lady Phillips, which have just reached me from. home. From Mr. A. V. Alexander, First Lord of the Admiralty: "You will be proud of his service and his sacrifice for his country, and are as certain as we are here that he did right, as he always sought to do in everything I ever saw him work at." Commander Stephen King Hall: "I am taking every measure in my power to point out that Tom clearly appro* ciated the air risks, but had to do th* best he could with what he had. Th» answer to the fools who say that without air protection the ships should hart stayed in is quite simple, tf that had happened, those sam« critics would have demanded that hi be shot for neglect of duty. He took a chance knowing the risk and taking every precaution that could be taken, and his death is a very grave loss to the country." Mr. Geoffrey Shakespeare: "Ha played a leading part in building up the modern Navy, and his tireless energy, drive, and resource enabled him to make a brilliant contribution. I am sure that Tom would have wished no other end than that he died in action against the enemy, and pursuing a course which, in spite of all risks, ha considered to be necessary." Admiral Sir Henry Harwood. of River Plate fame: "He was brilliant in every way. The Admiralty is tha richer for all he did here during the last two years, and so is the country." Another writer said that all who knew him ranked him as • only second to Churchill in character, ability and personal charm. Mr. Churchill himself spoke proudly of him, and described his action as "audacious and daring." 1 trust that these words will prove that he would never have taken any action which he did not consider absolutely necessary and the best for hi* country, which he loved with deep devotion. M. dk V. Anthony.