WAR ON U-BOATS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24542, 26 March 1943, Page 3

WAR ON U-BOATS

HIGHEST PRIORITY MINISTRY ADVOCATED HOUSE OF LOJ'DS DEBATE (Rec. 5.35 p.m.) LONDON. March 24 The war at sea was debated in the House of Lords on a motion by Lord Strabolgi. A number of criticisms and suggestions were answered by Lord Bruntisfield, Under-Secre-tary to the Admiralty, who, replying for the Government, said that for the purpose of combating the U-boat menace there was the highest priority for the Admiralty. Merchant and naval shipbuilding had priority and the naval programme provided for the construction of navs,l vessels on a priority basis. The number of long-range heavy aircraft for use by the navy was steadily increasing, but the mere provision of aircraft was by no means the whole story. Aircraft had to be equipped with antisubmarine devices, crews trained for special work and bases constructed. The whole matter, ho added, was being treated with the utmost urgency. Lord Hankey, for many years secretary of the Committee on Imperial Service and secretary of the War Cabinet during the last war, said: "We have had ups and downs, but, broadly speaking, at the end of each year we are worse off than at the beginning of the year. 1 fear wo have not looked ahead enough in the past year, and the enemy will continue one lap ahead. I am afraid escort ships cannot affect

the position in 1943. The only way we can affect the position is by planes." Shipping losses in December, January and February were reported to be lower, said Lord Hankey. "But during March there were some very uncomfortable stories," he addted. "The Germans have made some very large claims. I know these are exaggerated, but they are in part confirmed by an official statement from America." Lord Hankey advocated the appointment of a whole-time Minister of Anti-U-boat Warfare. ATLANTIC LOSSES NO INFORMATION FOR ENEMY LONDON. March 25 Replying to a question in the House of Commons to-day on the German claim to have sunk more than 30 ships in a convoy in a recent attack in the Atlantic, Mr. Churchillsaid all sorts of claims were made by the Germans, who would very much like to know how far adrift they were from the truth. He did not intend to relieve enemy anxiety 011 this subject, but he could state for general assurance that the United Nations had afloat to-day substantially larger fleets than they had at the worst moment in the_ TJ-boat war. This improvement was being kept up. The Direetoi ot War Information, Mr. Elmer Davis, in Washington yesterday, said two Allied convoys which were attacked in the Atlantic last week did suffer some losses, but the German claims were fantastic. Mr. Davis said, however, that increasingly serious losses might be expected. He also issued a caution against premature optimism as to an early finish of the battle in Tunisia, saving that it was going to be a long, tough fight. BURMA CAMPAIGN TASK BEFORE ALLIES LONDON. March 24 The Allied forces in Burma, after their failure to crush the Japanese positions at the tip of the Mayu Peninsula and to hold their own positions between the Arakan and Mayu Rivers, must now readjust their lines. The Associated Press correspondent at Calcutta says they must take up positions which can be supplied during the monsoon, which is expected within a few weeks. In spite of their failure to achieve their objectives, the Allied operations have frustrated any plan the Japanese may have had for invading India before the monsoon. They have also given valuable experience in jungle warfare. An India .communique quoted by British official wireless states: "The R.A.F. on Tuesday bombed Japanese positions at Donbaik. They also attacked supply craft 011 the Kaladan River and inflicted casualties 011 enemy troops." NEW CHINESE GAINS COUNTER-ATTACK REPULSED (Reed. 5.35 p.m.) CHUNGKING, March 24= In a new operation 140 miles northwest of Nanking, Chinese forces made substantial gains in attacks on Japanese positions at Shuhsien. says to-day's Chinese communique. Four thousand Japanese with 10 tanks, forming a spearhead, retaliated, attacking from several directions. But the Chinese, after a battle lasting all day, repulsed the enemy. In the Hwajting, Shihshow, Ouchi.hknow and Michitai sectors the Chinese are continuing the attacks. Having lost heavily from Chinese attacks around Kingmin, Central Hupeh, the enemy brought up reinforcements, and severe fighting is in progress. USE OF POISON GAS WASHINGTON, March 24 President Roosevelt told a press conference that he would check up 011 reports from Chungking that Japan hadagain used poison gas. The President last June threatened retaliation in kiad if the Japanese resorted to gas warfare. The Tokio radio alleges that the Chungking army command spread the reports in order to camouflage its own intentions to use gas as a rneahs of evading a strong Japanese offensive. JAPANESE SEA LOSSES (Reed. p.m.) WASHINGTON, March 21 The United States Navy announced, that an American submarine has torpedoed and sunk a Japanese submarine within sight of a Japanese base. A Japanese beam wireless message, picked up in New York, stated that the Japanese passenger ship Takashio Maru was sunk by an Allied submarine on Friday off Formosa. Great iiies hampered rescue operations, but 245 were saved.