SCANTY RESULTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20088, 7 November 1939, Page 5

SCANTY RESULTS

U-BOAT CAMPAIGN

RAPID DIMINUTION REVIEW OF LOSSES I SMALL PART OF TOTAL | # i | SAFETY UNDER CONVOY j j fElei. Ti;l. Copyright—United Press Assn.) | (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 11 a.m. RUGBY, Nov. 0.1 In authoritative naval circles the frequently threatened intensified under-water campaign against mercantile shipping causes no anxiety, and the belief is general that the U-boat offensive has been scotched. Merchant shipping losses since the first fortnight of the war, when condi- I tions were most favourable for such activities, have shown a rapid diminution. Figures revealed to-day show a position which is regarded as offering a promising prospect. British ships sunk in September numbered 37, the total tonnage being 155,630. In October, 13 British ships of 83,159 tons were sunk. No British ship has been sunk in November. Other allied ships sunk in this period were one in September of 2660 tons, six in October of 45,275 tons, and none in November. Neutral ships sunk by U-boats were 15 in September of 37,284 tons, 18 in October of 44,038 tons, and two in November of 12,450 j tons. Fifty-Five British Ships During the whole period, therefore, 55 British ships of 238,795 tons, seven other Allied ships totalling 47,835 tons, and 34 neutral ships of 93,817 tons were sunk. The British losses represent 1.5 per cent of the 18,500,000 tons of British shipping on the high seas. As for the German air arm's part in the naval war, the history of these early months has failed to produce the heavy air attack on British shipping that might have been expected and those efforts the Germans have made have been entirely fruitless and expensive. No British ship, naval or mercantile, has been even temporarily disabled from the air except the demilitarised Iron Duke, while the German attacking forces experienced I losses amounting to roughly 30 per j cent. Twenty-eight ships, representing ! four convoys, brought 100,000 tons of foodstuffs to a British port in four j days, indicating the safe passage of the i Empire’s commerce.