ALLIED SHIPPING RESERVES

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23977, 18 June 1943, Page 5

ALLIED SHIPPING RESERVES

“IMPROVED BEYOND EXPECTATIONS »* PLANS FOR AMPHIBIOUS OPERATIONS (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, June 17. “The United Nations now command a sufficient reserve of shipping to enable them to embark simultaneously upon more than one amphibious operation,” says the naval writer of the “Daily Telegraph.” "Plans for a number of such operations have been worked out in , detail for a considerable time, in order that there shall be no delay after the time to strike has arrived. “It seemed some months ago that it would be possible to carry out only one large-scale offensive at a time, with the periods between offensives dictated by the necessity to regroup shipping. The position has recently improved beyond expectations. “The number of ships becoming available through new building could always be calculated, but not the number arising from the large reduction in losses in the Battle of the Atlantic. It is this reduction in Atlantic losses which has greatly added to the offensive capabilities of the United Nations. Much of this extra shipping is already available for offensive plans. “The reduction in Atlantic losses became apparent some weeks ago, so there has been time'to earniark the most suitable ships, and even to make certain alterations and modifications to ships. Also, there has been time to group the ships according to the Work assigned them. "Ships were set aside for what Is terrtied the ‘shipping pool for offen-sive.’’The-resources of this pool cannot be regarded as stable or as giving a definite indication of the shipping which Would be available months ahead. The vital needs of trade routes would necessarily reduce the Size of the Offensive pool if shipping losses were heavy for some weeks. This is one reason why the planning of the United Nations’ offensive has been so complicated, and why a number of alternative plans have beeh prepared. More than one plan could have been contemplated only after the shipping position had improved. As a result of this improvement the United Nations’ problem has become one of choosing the right plans, and assembling ships and forces, fully equipped, at the right place and at the right time. SORTIES AGAINST BRITAIN PLANS DISCUSSED IN BERLIN (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, June 17. "Berlin military circles are discussing with a wealth of circumstantial detail German plans for an offensive against Britain during the summer to disrupt Allied invasion plans,” reports the “Daily Mail” correspondent on the German frontier. "Much detail is being permitted to reach neutral capitals, and some experts are still inclined to take the threat seriously. “The Germans in recent weeks have moved several armed vessels of a special type from the Baltic to the North Sea and the Atlantic. They are reported to have collected at Rotterdam and Antwerp hundreds of highspeed boats fitted with aero-engines, and also to have concentrated U-boats at southern Danish ports. It is not pretended in Berlin that a serious invasion of Britain is now possible, but merely swift raiding sorties. The Germans clearly believe that the real Allied onslaught will come in France or the Low Countries.” According to the Berlin radio. Allied invasion forces in the Mediterranean are using landing craft able to carry 600 men or five tanks 800 miles. The radio has also described Allied landing ships of 3000 tons and 300 feet long, mostly used for the transport of tanks and motor vehicles. It says that converted cargo ships are also being used for the transport of landing craft and troops. RESCUED FROM SINKING SHIP WIFE OF BRITISH AIR MARSHAL (8.0. W.) RUGBY, June 16. Mrs d’Albiac, wife of Air ViceMarshal d’Albiac, the chief of Britain’s new Tactical Air Force, has arrived in Britain after her ship, which was on the way from West Africa, was torpedoed and sunk. Captain Andrews, master of the lost ship, rescued Mrs d’Albiac when she was trapped under debris after the torpedo hit the ship. The captain noticed when the lifeboat was clear of the ship that Mrs d’Albiac was not present. He returned and searched the vessel and. although the torpedo had put out the lights, he found her and carried her. unconscious, to a boat. The captain said that Mrs d’Albiac insisted on taking her turn at rowing with the men survivors till the lifeboat reached the Canary Islands. Icelandic Ship Bombed.—A fourengined German aircraft bombed and machine-gunned the 800-ton Icelandic ship Sudin off the north coast of Iceland on Monday afternoon, killing two seamen and injuring five. The ship was badly damaged and Is being towed to port.—Reykjavik, June 17.