DURBAN'S VALUE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 174, 25 July 1942, Page 4

DURBAN'S VALUE

INDIA'S KEY BASE MORE VITAL THAN GIBRALTAR The day Singapore was lost Durban became our most important naval base—not even excepting Gibraltar, writes W. F. Martin in a dispatch to the Daily Mail. Not only does its Position on the map place it at the crossroads of the British and American supply routes, but with a dry dock capable of ta k ing any large warship it provides an esfential without which a fleet cannot hope to operate efficiently. This graving dock is the key to the coming battle for sea power m the Indian Ocean between the Allien Fleets and Japan. . Simonstown has nothing like it. East London and Port Elizabeth provide fine anchorages, but neither has the repair facilities that make Durban unique in the Southern Hemisphere. Nor if you cross the Equator can you find anything at Aden. Bombay, Colombo, or Trincomalee that meets this crucial need of big ocean fleets with the battleships and aircraftcarriers for emergency docking facilities.

No Human Bravery Would Avail When we discuss the possibility of a Japanese invasion of India we are apt to think of it only in terms 01 land warfare. Yet could the Japanese, having possessed themselves of Singapore, extend their limited command of the seas to make a sudden seizure of this port, no human bravery could save India or China from languishing into impotence through lack of war supplies.

Our position in the Middle East itself would be jeopardised and aid to Russia by an important route cut off. Even if it is impossible for Japan to make a direct descent upon Durban—and I have grown to distrust the word impossible these days— there is no doubt that her plans envisage the occupation of Tamatave, the capital of Madagascar, and Diego Suarez, with its magnificent anchorage, and islands and other strategic harbours. Stepping-stones Tamatave is only 900 miles to the north of Durban, while Vichy's littleknown Comoro Archipelago, stretching across the northern end of the Mozambique channel, forms convenient island stepping-stones to the mainland. That mainland is Portuguese East Africa, with its capital, Lourenco Marques, only 300 miles from Durban. There is no question about Portugal's neutrality, but many of the Axis elements who fled from South Africa sought the shelter of Portuguese territory. I have lived with these gentlemen too long in Spain, and seen them at work in Scandinavian countries, to have any doubts, personally, of the way they are abusing neutral hospitality now. Durban, properly equipped, will provide a key bastion of defence for our interests in the Indian Ocean. There is no underrating nf the threat to this port by the people m Durban, but I have been asked more than once whether it is as clearly appreciated in Britain. Singapore is gone, but Durban gives us another chance. While every unit of our fleet may not alwavs need use the port's facilities, they are there as a focal point of naval strength. But if Durban went or were neutralised, neither Port Elizabeth nor Simonstown could step into its shoes. It's Up To Us I have harped on this theme because whatever Durban now becomes depends absolutely on the maior decision of the War Cabinet. It cannot be either partly or mainly the responsibility of South Africa. The whole white population of the Lmon is little more than 2,000 000 Many able men went as soldiers to win back Abyssinia. In our hour of need these lustv warriors in Libya gained immortal laurels, and they now face Rommel implacably with other soldiers of the Commonwealth. w , ho sta y G d behind often worked 80 hours a week in this verv graving dock of which I have spoken. I have been impressed with the determination with which South Africa has met every call made upon tefilia f n'?Ty er s a he CO Sa n s try haS rely on Britain and America not only for weapons but for additional technical skill and trained fighting pers 9 nnel to make her a supply and repair centre as well as a bale for counter-attacks. lor