DETAILS SOUGHT

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 118, 21 May 1942, Page 7

DETAILS SOUGHT

Commons Inquiries Regarding Coral Sea Battle

LESSONS TO BE LEARNED

Rec. 10.30 a.m. LONDON, Mav 20. Replying to Mr. Ellis Smith (Lab., Stoke) in the House of Commons. Sir Archibald Sinclair, Secretary for Air, said that full details of the part played by dive-bombers and torpedocarrying aircraft in the Coral' Sea Battle were not available. When threports were received they would be carefully studied for anv new lessons. Steps were taken in July. 194 Q. to ensure an adequate supply of divebombers and the question of more accurate bombing from high altitudes was constantly under consideration.

Mr. A. A". Alexander. First Lord of the Admiralty, replying to RearAdmiral Sir Murray Sueter (Co l-1 Herts.), said that judging from newspaper reports it was reasonable to deduce that planes and aircraftcarriers operated in the Coral Sea Battle.

Sir Murray isuetcr: Haven't you any accurate details from the I'nited States about this lytUie? It is very important that we sh-juid know something about it.

Mr. Alexander: We are anxious tn get all particulars. Perhaps you have seen the United States a . v £ Department communique, in whicn it is stated that details will not published for the time being. A