AIR POWER AGAINST SEA POWER

Southland Times, Issue 24154, 17 June 1940, Page 9

AIR POWER AGAINST SEA POWER

EARLY NAVAL LESSONS OF WAR (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, June 13. The experience of the war so far has demonstrated that except in confined waters air power does not appear to offer a serious challenge to sea power and even in confined waters the results have not been spectacular. So far only two war vessels, larger and better protected than destroyers, have been sunk in air attack—the British light cruiser Curlew and a German cruiser sunk in Bergen harbour. The opinion, expressed in informed circles, is that the actual destruction of ships by air attack has so far not proved very successful. The other aspect of the question is whether air power can prevent naval forces from operating. If this were true then air power would defeat sea power just as surely as if it were able to send all warships to the bottom of the sea. In this respect consideration of the re-em-barkment of the British Expeditionary Force at Dunkirk is of value. In this operation large numbers of destroyers and small craft were engaged. The operation lasted several days and nights and the ships were often at anchor for long periods. Although sea power in this case had the devoted cooperation of ail - power it is true that British air power is inferior in numbers to that of the Nazis. Further, the Nazi air force was closely based and was able to deliver continuous attacks. In spite of this the evacuation operation was a brilliant success and although losses occurred, these were surprisingly small. It appears that so far the lessons of the present war indicate that air power alone can neither destroy battle fleets nor materially hinder naval operations. ; PLEA FOR UNITY IN AUSTRALIA (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, June 15. The State Premier, Mr Alexander Mair, in a special statement, said that Australia should immediately form a National Government to establish a complete scheme for defence at home and abroad and to marshall men, money and material compulsorily. “The decisive hour has struck and these things are necessary immediately —next week and not next month,” he said. “PRINCIPLES OF JUSTICE WILL PREVAIL” British Official Wireless) (Received June 16, 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, June 15. The Bishop of London (the Rt. Rev. Dr G. F. Fisher) in a speech said: “We stand at the most critical moment in the history of civilization and in the history of Christianity except for that one supreme crisis of the crucifixion. I do not think there is any doubt that we are witnessing the culminating moment on which hangs for generations the decision on whether the principles of justice, righteousness, mercy and loving kindness shall persist. I have complete confidence that, be it soon or late, in God’s own time those principles will prevail.”