Ships Like So Much Old Scrap Iron

Chronicle (Levin), 1 February 1947, Page 5

Ships Like So Much Old Scrap Iron

Pr.ess Assi

DtSgJLOSURES'IN DOCUMENTS

tsy Telegraph

z.-Copyright

LONDON, Jan. 31. Ilitler at oue German naval c.oiiferenee described the German navy as a mere eopy of tlie British and a very miserable oue at that. This and many other disclosures were made in doeuments whieh have been translated and published relating to the German higb seas tieet and the resignation oi Grand Admiral Eaeder. The doeuments reveal that Hitler was nearly always heated when matters relating to naval warfare were discussed and at conferences talkecl about the superiority of the British Navy. lie complamed once that the German ships were not, in operational r.ea.diness and said: "They are lying idle in fioi'ds, utterly useless like so much old iron. " The doeuments show that the German higii seas ileot was put out of commis sion and partially scrapped as a result of inter-service eonflict aml by a directive issued by llitler 011 January 29, 1942. The order was given on Februarv 2 to eease all work on Ijattle ships, heavy and light cruisers, aircraftcarriers ajid troop transports. After tJie serapping order was issued, the Scharnhorst was the only large tvar ship to venture out. tthe steamed into a British trap and was sunk. At a conferencp following the action in whieh the cruiser Hipper was crippled and a German destroyer sunk, there was another out burst of anger with special referenee to the fact tluu the action was not fought to a linish. Hitler said this was ' ' typical of German ships, and just thc opposite to tlie British who, true to their tradition, fought to the bitter end". Admiral liaeder then resigned and Admiral Doenitz sueceeded liim. The TJnited Rtates Admiral King acknowledged that the Allies were compJetely unaware until the war ended that the German high seas fleet had been taken out of aetion.