WARFARE AT SEA

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21304, 24 December 1940, Page 5

WARFARE AT SEA

LOSSES OF SHIPPING BRITISH AND ALLIED WELL BELOW AVERAGE (omclal Wireless) (Received Dec. 24, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, Dec. 23 The total British, Allied and neutral tonnage lost by enemy action during the week ended December 15, was 41,476 tons, consisting of five British ships, totalling 30,830 tons, and two Allied ships, totalling 10,646 tons. This is well below the weekly average for the whole of the war, which stands at nearly 64,000 tons. Competent observers point out, however, that satisfactory though this drop may be, figures steadily diminishing over a period of a few months, must be shown before any real improvement can be claimed. The weekly average losses for each of the last six months, taken in round figures, are: July 81,000 tons August 86,000 tons September 100,000 tons October 85,000 tons November 86,000 tons December (to date) 71,000 tons These figures make it evident that the menace from mines, submarines and air still is severe, but they are regarded, on the whole, as offering ground for encouragement. RAIDS ON BRITAIN VERY FEW CASUALTIES LITTLE DAMAGE CAUSED (United Plena Assd.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Dec. 24, 1 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 23 Enemy air activity today has been confined to attacks by single aircraft at a few points on the east coast, which it is officially stated caused little damage and very few casualties. It is now known that two enemy aircraft were destroyed by anti-air-craft fire on the Merseyside on the night of December 21. Casualties in Manchester A heavy attack on Manchester by ! German bombers took place last j night, says an Air Ministry communique. The raid lasted many hours I and caused a large number of fires : and considerable damage. Several people were killed and a number injured. The attack began shortly after dark and found many people still in the streets. It began with showers of incendiary bombs on essential areas. Fire-fighting units had a busy night extinguishing a large number of outbreaks. One town in the north-west was heavily attacked with incendiary and high-explosive bombs. The attack came so quickly that many people were caught ‘n the streets. A number of persons was in a public house which was struck. Eleven of One Family Killed N Two German bombers were brought do\. i during the night, one of them crashing in flames in Sussex. The crew was killed. Eleven numbers of one family, named Fitzgerald, were killed when a bomb hit a shelter in a working class,district of Liverpool on Saturday night. Only the father, who was on a sickbed, and an 11-year-old son survived. Both the father and son spent yesterday clambering over piles of rubble looking for the victims. The father could not be kept in bed. It is estimated that about 200 aeroplanes took part in the raid. The casualties on the whole were not heavy. They included the crew of a fire engine which, when racing into action, crashed into a bomb crater. A bomb splinter carried off the cue arm of a man who was playing billiards. CRASH IN EIRE MEMBERS OF CREW INTERNED (United press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Dec. 23, 2 p.m.) DUBLIN, Dec. 22 It is officially stated that a Royal Air Force plane, when patrolling the Northern Ireland border at night crashed in Eire. Three members of the crew baled out. Two were soon found and were interned. The third was discovered in the morning suffering from exposure and was sent to nospital. CHRISTMAS GIFTS BUSY TIME IN BRITAIN NOT AFFECTED BY “BLITZ" (United Press Acer.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Dec. 22 That Hitler’s “blitz" has in no way affected the British people's tradition of sending one another Christmas greetings and gifts is shown by the fact that 15,000,000 parcels were handed over to the Post 05500 on Wednesday, the last day of posting to be sure of delivery before Christmas Day. The rush began on Monday, with a turnover of 3.000.000 letters and cards. Between Monday and Friday the total for 11 centres had passed the 27,000,000 mark. It is impossible even to reach a rough estimate of the number of parcels posted, but Post Office officials agree that it was about four limes heavier than in previous Christmas seasons.