U-BOAT MENACE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 65, 19 March 1943, Page 5

U-BOAT MENACE

COMPLACENCY CHARGED BITTER ATTACK ON FIRST LORD OF ADMIRALTY (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) Recd. 6.30 p.m. London, March 17. During the House of Commons debate on the Navy estimates, Mr. Clement Davies made a bitter personal attack on Mr. A. V. Alexander, in which he accused him of possessing the characteristics of vanity, complacency and fretful resentment of any inquiry or even advice.

Mr. Davies added: “It has never been suggested that we are sinking more U-boats than are being created. Present U-boats are capable of longer distances, higher speeds, refuelling at sea and operating in places where we never thought they would get. The Admiralty’s attitude just before the war was that the U-boat menace was pot as serious as in the last war, but

what is our position to-day and what are our losses? A whole mighty fleet has gone and with them irreplaceable losses. Why can’t we be told our losses in cargo ships? The people have never been afraid of the truth.” Mr. Tinker asked whether Mr. Shinwell’s allegations were true —that three of our best 20,000-tonners had been sunk owing to them having to reduce speed to save fuel.

Mr. Alexander, replying, denied that there was any complacency mt the Admiralty about the U-boat menace. “The situation is much too serious,” said Mr. Alexander, “and the Admiralty is fully seized of the urgency of this great job. There is not a single thing we can do which we will not try to meet the situation.”

Replying to Mr. Shinwell’s allegations, Mr. Alexander said that in no circumstances would vessels be instructed to reduce speed in order to save fuel merely for the sake of saving fuel.

CONVOY’S GRIM BATTLE

THREE U-BOATS DESTROYED Recd. 6 p.m. Rugby, March 17. At least three U-boats were destroyed or probably destroyed and many others must have been seriously damaged last month in one of the greatest battles of the winter between naval escorts of a convoy and Üboats.

Our forces consisted <'f British, American and Free French ships, assisted by Liberators and Sunderlands. First blood was drawn by the destroyer. Vimy, commanded by Lieu-tenant-Commander R. S. Stannard, V.C., aged 25. It .'as the Vimy’s first Atlantic convoy and she took 49 prisoners from U-boats during an incessant battle raging over three days and nights. The convov suffered some losses and the Vimv. which was under Lieutenant - Commander Stannard's command for the first time, also rescued 88 survivors from the ships sunk.—B.O.W.

TWO SUPPLY SHIPS SUNK IN NORWEGIAN FIORD

Reed. 6.30 p.m. Rugby, March 17 The Admiralty slates that light coastal forces, manned by Norwegian personnel, macle a successful attack on enemy shipping in a Norwegian fiord early last Sunday. Our forces penetrated into the harbour and tor-

pedoed two vessels. Ono, a largo supply shin, broke in two anc sank immediately. The other, of medium size, burst into flames and was la er seen to sink. No casualties were suffered by Norwegian personnel.— 8.0.W.

CUTTER AND WOLF-PACK

Recd. 6.30 p.m. Rugby, March 17. A United States communique says that the costguard cutler Campbell rammed and sank a German submarine and depth charged five o'hers during a 12-hours’ running bailie with a U-boat wolf pack in the North Atlantic three weeks ago. 8.0.W.

NAZI HISH.SEAS FLEET

SAID TO RE ASSEMBLING AT SEA Recd 6 p.m. London March 17. The naval correspondent of the Stockholm newspaper Allehanda reports that the entire German High Seas fleet, including the Tirpitz, the Scharnhorst, the Gneisenau, and two I aircraft-carriers, is at present assembling north of Norwav.