FIGHTING U-BOATS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24536, 19 March 1943, Page 4

FIGHTING U-BOATS

ADMIRALTY CRITICISED REPLY BY MR. ALEXANDER LONDON, March 17 During the debate in the House of Commons on the Navy Estimates, Mr. Clement Davies, K.C., National Liberal member for Montgomery, made a bitter personal attack on the First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr. A. V. Alexander, in the course of which he accused him of possessing the characteristics of vanity, complacency and fretful resentment of any inquiry or even advice. Mr. Davies said it was never suggested that we were sinking more U-boats than were being created at tho present time. U-boats, he said, were . capable of longer distances, higher speeds, refuelling at sea and operating in places where we never thought they could get. Tho Admiralty's attitude just before the war was that the U-boat menace was not as serious as in the last war. "What is our position to-day and what are our losses?" Mr. Davies asked. "A whole mighty fleet has gone and with them irreplaceable losses. Why cannot we bo told our losses in terms of cargo. Our people have never been afraid of the truth." Mr. J. J. Tinker (Labour—Le; > asked whether the allegations made . n the House by Mr. E. Shinwell (Labour —Seaham, Durham) were true —that three of our best 22,000-ton vessels were sunk owing to having to reduce speed to save fuel. Mr. Alexander, in the course of his reply, denied that there was any complacency at the Admiralty about the U-boat menace. "The situation is much too serious," he said. "The Admiralty is fully seized with the urgency of this great job. There is not a single thing we can do which we will not do to try to meet the situation." Replying to Mr. Shinwell's allegation, Mr. Alexander said that in no circumstances would vessels be instructed to reduce speed in order to save fuel merely for the sake of saving fuel. It is reliably stated in London that there is still no improvement in U-boat warfare, which continues to take heavy toll of Allied shipping and which can be expected to increase with an improvement in the weather. BATTLE IN ATLANTIC THREE U-BOATS DESTROYED LONDON, March 17 At least three U-boats destroyed or probably destroyed, and many others must have been seriously damaged last month in one of the greatest battles of the winter between the naval escorts of an Atlantic convoy and U-boats. Our forces consisted of British, American and Free French ships, assisted by Liberator and Sunderland bombers. First blood was drawn by the destroyer Vimy, commanded by Lieutenant-Com-mander R. S. Stannard. V.C., aged 25. It was the Virny's first Atlantic convoy. She took 49 prisoners from a U-boat. During an incessant battle which raged throughout three days and nights, the convoy suffered some losses, and the Vimy, which was under LieutenantCommander Stannard's command for the first time, also rescued 88 survivors from ships sunk. CUTTER RAMS SUBMARINE (Reed. 5.35 p.m.) WASHINGTON, March 17 A United States communique states that the coastguard cutter Campbell rammed and sank a German submarine and dropped depth charges over five others during a 12-liours' running battle with a U-boat wolfpack in the North Atlantic three weeks ago. CARDINAL HINSLEY MANY HIGH TRIBUTES MORAL FORCE IN COMMUNITY (Reed. 5.45 p.m.) LONDON, March 17 Religious leaders pay tribute to Cardinal Hinsley, whose death was announced yesterday, and for whom Solemn Requiem Mass will be sung in Westminster Cathedral on Monday. The body will be taken to the cathedral from Buntingford on Sunday afternoon. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Temple, said in a broadcast, Cardinal Hinsley was a devoted citizen to his country. The note of patriotism in his speeches was always strong and clear, but he was convinced that his best service to his country was to help it follow faithfully that natural law which is the law of God. "He was eager to co-operate with other Christians, whether or not they were of his communion," Dr. Temple continued, "and lie served nobly the cause of co-operation in Christian witness. All those whose aspirations are set upon a Christian Britain mourn his passing. Many of us also mourn the loss of the kindliest and most warmhearted friend." Tho Reverend Dr. J. S. Whale, Moderator of the Free Church Council, said: "There was a warm humanity, a moral directness and a fine Christian simplicity about Cardinal Hinsley which made itself felt far beyond the bounds of his own communion. Cardinal Hinsley, in private as well as in public, spoke with deep moral passion against persecution, especially against the ghastly persecution of the Jews in Europe." Tho Chief Rabbi, Dr. Hertz, said: "No one felt more deeply than Cardinal Hinsley the outrage of the Nazi onslaught on humanity, and no one gave nobler utterance to England's horror of the,well-planned and systematic slaughter of myriads of people by the ghouls of Berlin." The death of Cardinal Hinsley has caused a deep sense of loss in England, says tho diarist of tho Evening Standard. His appointment was a happy choice for Rome and for Britain, for there has been no more formidable voice raised against the iniquities of the Nazis and Fascists than that of the sturdy Cardinal from Yorkshire.

POST AT CANBERRA MR. BERENDSEN'S TASK (J?ecd. 0.ri.l p.m.) SYDNEY, March 3 8 New Zealand's High Commissioner to Australia, Mr. C. A. Berendsen, has arrived in Australia to take up his duties at Canberra. Mr. Berendsen said that he was sure that in his position at Canberra he would bo able to contribute in some measure to the already excellent mutual relationship between Australia and New Zealand. "We in New Zealand," he said, "believe that the problems of Australia are in essence the same problems as those of our Dominion. We believe thai everything is to be gained by the closest consultation and collaboration. Relations between the two countries have always been harmonious. We are close neighbours, close friends and close kin. The imperishable name of Anzae. inscribed in the hearts of both peoples, is a sufficient indication of our comradeship in arms " Mr Berendsen. who was born in Australia, said lie was delighted to be backin the Commonwealth again, and was looking forward with the greatest interest to his now life. HITLER PHOTOGRAPHS LONDON. March 17 Referring to photographs of Hitler published in all Berlin newspapers today. the Berlin radio said that they were taken within the last few days close to the front, where Hitler is seen conferring with high stall' commanders, including von Maristein, Richtofen and von Kliest.