The Wanganui Chronicle TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1939. THE BRITISH NAVY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 301, 21 December 1939, Page 6

The Wanganui Chronicle TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1939. THE BRITISH NAVY

| U K sill-cess which has rm-ent.lv attended the work of the. British Navy has been so marked that exaggerated praise of ’lie achievements appears to be difficult. The submarines Ursula and Salmon have inflicted severe damage upon the German navy. The ITsula. sank a German cruiser of the Konigsberg class (6000 tons) at the mouth of the Kibe River, a. feat which compares with the German submarine's sinking of the Royal Oak in Seapa Flow. Of the two exploits the latler did the most, damage, but the Royal Navy will doubtless seek every occasion to even up the score in that respect. The Ursula has, however, proved that the German fleet, is not entirely immune from maritime attack, even when sheltered Jy minefields and other harbour perfection devices. The Salmon’s exploits include the torpedoing of the Leipzig io such an extent that it might not have reached port, while damage was inflicted mi another ship. T’liis attack upon German ships is interesting from two aspects—one, the submarine reported the engagement only to the extent of its observations; and two, the submarine was able to elude the enemy after having made its attack, notwithstanding the depth-bombing of the area, for a period 01 two hours. Clearly, if a British submarine may successfully escape iroin depth charges, so may German submarines. The assumption is that the German depth charges are as equally effective as those used by the British Navy. It i.s to be assumed then, that there is si ill a great work lor the submarine to play in the present war, and that it will, under given circumstances, prove itself to be an effective instrument of destruction. This applies to both German . and British submarines. The' foregoing contemplation of the situation throws into liigh relief the success attending the defensive measures adopted by Great Britain. I'his success has, indeed, been so great that the German submarine commanders appear Io jliave been, compelled to justify their existence by sinking unarmed neutrals and small fishing craft. It must be remembered that, the greater part ol 1 ho desi met ion of Allied and neutral shipping during the <>reat War was the work of a few able submarine commanders. I he recent organisation of the. Reich navy may have, something to do with the dearth of destruction whieh has been effected to date by the German Navy, both by iis raiders and its submarines. The organisation of a navy cannot, be speeded-up; its personnel has io be trained over a. Jong period of years, and this applies particularly to the higher officers. It is here that the British Navy enjoys a superiority over the navy of the Third Reich. Ihe latter is a new organisation :it is new in personnel, in traditions, and in discipline. I here are two kinds of discipline, one that can lie enforced Dm other ill,-it is inherent in each individual member that is to say. self-imposed. The lengthy period of training which is fhe " ,| e 111 the Royal Navy creates in each seaman not only knowledge ol v.h.-il is expected of him. bill personal habits which are so long established lhat they have become part of his being. Herein lies the reason for the great work of the. crew "i 1 nr l-.xeter, whieh must rank as one of the epic ‘achievements 1,1 naval wariare. I'he Hxeier fought until she was useless, and ll "' il dropped out of the engagement, when her guns could "" llp Fires raged in different parts of the ship, but Ihe members of the crew fought the flames and so brought tlmir ship out of the action. II IS easy now io appreciate the value ~f discipline which has placed such excellent seamen at the service, ol' the Allied ‘•JUS- to-day. but it will be a little loss easy to appreciate that ''"■'dll.'' " hen the call comes once more—as come if will for •onomisitig ami cuffing down of the Fight iim Services