WAR AT SEA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 290, 8 December 1939, Page 7

WAR AT SEA

MR. CHURCHILLS REVIEW BRITISH MERCHAITMEN TWO THOUSAND SHIPS MAINTENANCE OF TRADE 1 British Official Wireless. ) RUGBY, Dec. 6. Reviewing the progress of the war at sea in the House of Commons, the First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr. Winston Churchill, said that the main attack of the enemy had been .concentrated upon the Royal Navy and seaborne commerce. “We have always more than 2000 ships at sea and between 100 and 150 move every day in and out of our harbours in the United Kingdom alone. This immense traffic must be maintained in the teeth of a constant Üboat attack, which never hesitates to break conventions of civilised warfare, to which Germany so recently subscribed. "The destruction of U-boats is proceeding normally and in accordance with the estimate I have given to the House of between two and four a week. In the last week five certainly met their fate either from our flotillas or the co-operating Air Force. Replacement Rate "The destruction is believed to be superior to Germany’s replacement rate. When I see the statement that Germany will possess 400 U-boats in 1940 I wonder if U-boat captains, crews, and submarines are being produced on the chain-belt system. If so, our rate of destruction will similarly expand. “U-boat commanders sought to emulate the Scapa Flow exploit and penetrate our defended harbours. The graves of several U-boats now lie upon their approaches. U-boats had passed from using the gun to using the torpedo and from summoning ships on the surface to sinking them at sight without warning or provision for the crew.

“In addition to our armed merchant ’ cruisers we have armed already more • than 1000 merchant ships for self-de- - tensive purposes, and the process is ’ continuing with all speed possible. Before long we shall have 2000 so ‘ armed. ! “The convoy scheme is now in full operation. Very few ships have been attacked in a convoy and less than one in 750 has been sunk. Monument to Hitler "The magnetic mine deposited secretly by U-boats under cloak of darkness in approaches to our harbours or dropped by parachute may perhaps be the Dictator's much vaunted secret ■ weapon. It Is certainly a characteris- > tic weapon and one that will be for- •’ ever associated with his name. ■ “More than half our losses last E month have been caused by the magnetic mine, but more than two-thirds - of the total losses from them have : fallen not upon the belligerents but upon neutrals. "The magnetic mine is neither new - nor mysterious. Its secrets are known ■ to us and the preparation of counter- ’ measures was already far advanced I before the first magnetic mine was laid in British waters. I “The recklessness of the magnetic ■ mine warfare has resulted in a re- ■ taliatory embargo on German exports. Neutrals need not be inconvenienced > hereby if they avoid carrying tainted goods. “German ships and German exports are already piling up on German quays and warehouses, hampering the handling of incoming merchandise. Heavy Price The price of control of the sea must be paid often and heavy and for it Britain had lost the Courageous, the Royal Oak, and two destroyers, and a submarine had been blown up by accident, a total of 50,000 tons. Brits ain had also lost the merchant cruiser , Rawalpindi. Britain was at present I building nearly 1,000,000 tons of wari ships of all classes, much at an ad- ’ vanced stage. “It is my sure belief that we have got the German sea warfare under control but wars are full of ugly and unpleasant surprises and we must expect a steady toll of losses.” he said. "I trust these good tidings will stimulate us to greater efforts. When the fierce and obstinate conflict rises to its full height the watchword for each and all, as for the Royal Navy, should be ‘Carry on dread nought.' " All speakers in the ensuing debate paid tribute to Mr. Churchill’s cautious and comprehensive statement and expressed general anxiety that German raiders were still roaming the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Sir Archibald Sinclair, Leader of the Liberals, urged a stricter watch to prevent German ships escaping from neutral harbours to carry supplies to the raiders and added it might be right to conceal the sinking of one of these raiders because the information was useful to the enemy. Sir Archibald Sinclair also questioned the delay in the release of naval losses. Mr. Churchill, intervening, denied that losses were withheld. At once relatives were informed. Commander Sir H. Southby said information on the steps being taken to destroy German raiders would be appreciated as the public was alarmed at their continued existence. Mr. Churchill replied that it was hardly the time t»t disclose the measures. SUNK IN THAMES ESTUARY GREEK STEAMER PARALOS Received Dec. 7, 8.30 p.m. LONDON, Dec. 7. | The Greek steamer Paralos was : sunk, either by a mine or a torpedo, * in the Thames estuary on December I 6. Three members of the crew were killed. The remaining 26 were rescued and landed by a British steamer. Ten are receiving hospital treatment. *