FLEET IN MEDITERRANEAN

Evening Star, Issue 24286, 29 August 1942, Page 5

FLEET IN MEDITERRANEAN

AIR PROTECTION ESSENTIAL ALEXANDRIA, August 27. The estaoiisnmont ot a now organisation to ettect closer co-operation between the air, surface, and' submarine forces in the Mediterranean was announced by the (Jommancier-in-Cmei, Mediterranean, Rear-Admiral Sir Henry Harwood, m the first interview since lie succeeded Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham, He said that adequate air support for the British Fleet was at present available for only a relatively short distance to the west of Alexandria. Geography and air power were tue essence ot the wnofe naval power in tne Mediterranean. Axis air bases in Crete, Sicily, and Greece, and the Dodecanese •and other islands, also along the Libyan coast, seriously and continuously threatened the British Fleet’s operations. Adequate air protection was essential for any successful normal operation, although there were times when it was necessary for warships to risk all and carry out vital tasks. The strong Allied air forces in the area were unable fully to protect the fleet and simplify its work until the Allies took Cyrenaica, thus providing more forward aerodromes. Admiral Harwood expressed the opinion that the Axis Powers used air transports extensively as well as ships to reinforce Marshal. Rommel. There was no way of knowing the quantities and types ot Axis equipment-and reinforcements reaching Egypt, but Allied ships were continually cutting at the enemy’s supply lines. The Navy was also shelling enemy shore positions when practicable.

BRITISH SOLDIER'S PAY

K 0 LONGER A SHILLING A DAY

(British Official Wireless.)

RUGBY, August 27. The time when the British “ Tommy ” could sing ‘ All for a Shilling a Day’ has passed if one is to judge by a White Paper on servica pay and allowances just published. • The lowest paid private in the British Army now receives 2s 6d a day, and when Hie value of his clothing and keep is taken into account he is as well off as a civilian on £3 a weekMoreover it is estimated that one in four in the Army receives more through higher rank or tradesman’s, rates. For instance, a married tradesman sergeant receives the equivalent of £4 16s, compared with a civilian’s £5 16s, less tax. The minimum for a married soldier is £3 4s The average earnings of civilian males covering 5,000,000 workers are £S 2s.

KING GIVES AUDIENCE FIELD-MARSHAL'S BATCH FOR SIR MBH DILL (Rec. 10 a.m.) RUGBY, Aug. 28. General Sir Alan Brooke, who accompanied Mr Churchill on his visit to Moscow, was received in audience by the King to-day. Other visitors were Sir John Dill,,to whom the King presented a field marshal’s baton and whom he invested with a G.C.8., and Mr F. Sturrock, South African Minister of Railways. • - ,