CLAIM ON U-BOAT SUCCESSES

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 107, 30 January 1943, Page 5

CLAIM ON U-BOAT SUCCESSES

Above Replacement Capacity

POSSIBLE COUNTERS (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.— Copyright.)

(Received January 29, 9.15 p.m.) INDW YORK, January 28.

"An Axis defeat, which has already been deferred by the submarine successes of the Germans, might (be averted unless the present rate of sinkings is reduced,” says Hanson Baldwin, the military correspondent of the "New York Times.” “Our ship losses have exceeded the total replacement capacity of the United Nations, while submarines are being built more quickly than we are able to destroy them. “We must speed up the production of escort vessels, particularly the anti submarine type, hundreds of which were planned but have scarcely been delivered. The convoys must also be protected over long distances by planes based on escorting carriers. "These measures will help, but they are not enough. So many submarines are already operating that the bombing of tlie submarine yards and factories, no matter how it is intensified, cannot provide a remedy. Concentration o all the American planes in England with tlie Royal Air Force in great and continuous raids on Lorient, St. Nitzaire and elsewhere might immobilize the submarines at their (bases by the destruction of machine shops and power plants, but if this is impossible large-scale commando raids against,the submarine bases might be justified.” Lack of Escort Ships. Messrs. Roosevelt and Churchill at Casablanca faced no greater problem than the fact that one year after the United States’ entry into the war not one American convoy ship of the approved trankocean type is in service, said the New York Times” correspondent, Charles Hurd. Action has now been taken by the production chief, Mr. Donald Nelson, and there will be a measurable numbei of escort ships in service by summer, aim a sufficient number for a good showing next autumn. , Mr Hurd points out that if the naiy plans had been carried out the escort ships would have been available lo months’ earlier.