The Wanganui Chronicle TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1942. THE CONVOY GETS THROUGH

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 229, 29 September 1942, Page 4

The Wanganui Chronicle TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1942. THE CONVOY GETS THROUGH

safe arrival of the latest convoy of ships to one of Russia’s Arctic ports has again been achieved. Admittedly there have been losses, but in the nature of things this was to have been expected. The degree of accomplishment, however, has been such as to merit the effort being termed a success. The Axis Powers have two areas from whence they can attack Allied supply lines—ltaly and Norway—and these supply lines that are vulnerable are of tremendous importance to the Allies. In the Mediterranean, air operations based on Malta compel the enemy to take excessive precautions in respect to all shipping going to North Africa. The Royal Air Force based on Malta, consequently absorbs a very large proportion of the German and Italian air fleets. The maintenance of the Malta bastion is therefore “good business” from the standpoint of the present stage of the campaign, but it also provides the Allies with an essential leaping-off place for future operations against the Axis forces in Sicily. Russia’s role in the war operations at the moment is of paramount importance, and this characteristic is recognised by the United States, Britain and Germany. While the last-named is endeavouring to put Russia out of action, America and Britain are doing their best not only in taking the necessary steps to advance the invasion effort in Western Europe, but also to aid Russia on the Eastern Front. This latter assistance can best be rendered by sending supplies by the overland route from the Persian Gulf, and by direct sea route to Archangel and Murmansk. The northern route is possibly the more important because it is nearer and cheaper. The German occupation of Norway affords the enemy facilities for making attacks upon convoys going to Russia’s northern ports, and in order to cut this sea lane the Germans could profitably pay a heavy price in the loss of aeroplanes, submarines, destroyers, and even cruisers. To cut this sea lane is to cut Russia’s jugular vein. It follows that to keep it open is worth some shipping losses being suffered by the Allies. The latest convoy operation to Russia is believed to have been even more successful than the recent Malta convoy. This implies that in the period of the year when weather conditions are most favourable to U-boat operations these attacking units must have been effectively kept in check. This is an important aspect of the convoy operation, implying that anti-submarine convoy technique has been improved. As the autumn wanes—and it is now practically at its close in northern latitudes—the effectiveness of the U-boats will deteriorate.

The arrival of the supplies carried by the convoy will be a great aid to Russia, enabling her to continue her resistance against the invader. The significance of the achievement has not been lost on the enemy, who has either sought to excuse his relative ineffectiveness, or has felt the need for a propaganda victory. These are the two most obvious explanations for the more than usually exaggerated German claims to have inflicted losses on the convoy.

The success of the northern convoy is in the nature of a positive victory, in that it adds to Russia’s effectiveness and reveals that German interference at sea is less dangerous, and also because German propaganda concerning it points to a disturbed public mentality inside the Reich.