WEAK GERMAN NAVAL POSITION

Southland Times, Issue 24357, 11 February 1941, Page 5

WEAK GERMAN NAVAL POSITION

(British Official Wireless) (Received February 10, 10.10 a.m.) RUGBY, February 9. A confession of Germany’s weak naval position is made by Admiral Luetzow in the German newspaper Das Reich, according to a Press message from Zurich. “It is a fact,” says Admiral Luetzow, “that the British and German fleets are not fighting each other but this is not because the British wish to avoid battle but because the German Admiralty, knowing the superiority of the British Fleet, does not wish to do England that favour.” Admiral Luetzow adds: “From a strategic point of view the British Admiralty is correct in pursuing its policy of a blockade of Germany and at the same time safeguarding her own sea communications. The British Fleet, which still holds its superiority, is also capable of withdrawing units from the main battle zones and putting them successfully in action in battle zones of minor importance. The German Fleet which is weaker than the British Fleet is unable to prevent this.”