AT LAST BREAKING EVEN

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLXII, Issue 15241, 6 January 1943, Page 3

AT LAST BREAKING EVEN

BATTLE AGAINST U-BOATS. United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. NEW YORK, January 4. In the Battle of the Atlantic, the Allies are at present at last breaking even, despite the fact that this is the peak season for submarines because of favourable winter weather, says the Washington cor respondent of the “New York Times.” Ike latest reports of sinkings ard based on figures a month ago. The average is two daily. While this is superficially depressing, it is countered by several decidedly satisfactory factors. The Allied invasion of North Africa 'presented a tremendously increased number of prospective victims and £he Axis is believed to be using about *3OO submarines on this route alone. Yet it is understood that sinkings have not risen seriously. Furthermore, the United Nations are now launching new ships at a rate equal to the destruction rate, and probably will be able to meet, and possibly excel, any increase in that rate. In the past year, the American anti-submarine forces have grown from a makeshift fleet, employing yachts and similar vessels, into a formidable service of armed new destroyers and submarine chasers, which are being mass-produced.