THE FRENCH NAVY

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21042, 19 February 1940, Page 7

THE FRENCH NAVY

NOT A SHIP LOST REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT (Uolted Pre,» Assn. —Eler Tet, Copyright) LONDON, Feb. 17 The fact that since the beginning of the war the French Navy has suffered not a single loss of a ship from enemy action is recognised in London naval circles as a remarkable achievement in view of the considerable sire of the French Navy and the übiquity of its units. The French Navy consists of five capital ships, of which the Dunkerque and the Strasbourg are the most modern and fastest capital ships in the world; seven 10,000-ton cruisers armed with 8-inch guns; 32 cruisers of between 6000 and 8000 tons, with 6-inch guns; 32 smaller vessels which are regarded by naval experts here as small cruisers: 38 destroyers; 37 escort vessels; 27 submarines. one aircraft-carrier and one sea-plane carrier; and important fleet auxiliary vessels. At the outbreak of the war, furthermore, France had about 300.000 tons of warships under construction. GERMANY PENETRATED SUCCESS OF FRENCH PLANES (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Feb. 19, 11 a.m.) PARIS, Feb. 18 French planes have flown deeply into German territory during the last 24 hours. PARIS, Feb 18 A French official communique this morning states "There it nothing o* IS KPofik”