“BITTER LESSON”

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20091, 10 November 1939, Page 7

“BITTER LESSON”

LOSS OF ROYAL OAK SCAPA FLOW DEFENCES UNDUE RISK TAKEN MINISTER'S REVIEW (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Proas Assn.) (Reed. Nov. 10, 9 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 8. The Minister for Co-ordination of Defence, Lord Chatfield, in the House of Lords, made a statement regarding the sinking of the battleship Royal Oak in Scapa Flow.

He said that the long and familiar immunity of Scapa Flow in the last war le,d to too easy a valuation of the dangers. Both the Admiralty and the fleet accepted an undue risk, yet to highly-competent persons it seemed no greater than the other risks accepted continually as part of a regular routine.

Lord Chatfield said that a German submarine had penetrated the defences of Scapa Flow and sunk the battleship. Scapa Flow’s defences consisted of nets, booms, blockships. and patrolling craft guarding the • seven entrances, none of which was in a state of strength or efficiency to make the anchorage absolutely proof against submarines. Measures had been taken to improve physical obstructions. It was essential, while the defences were incomplete, that patrolling craft should be numerous, but the number was reduced below what was required for a variety of reasons which he could not disclose, as it would reveal information valuable to the enemy. Sense of Immunity Lord Chatfield said that afteT a torpedo had struck the Royal Oak none of the vigilant, experienced officers conceived it could be a torpedo, thus indicating the strong sense of immunity prevailing in Scapa. At first an air raid was apprehended, and large numbers of the crew took up.air raid station under the armour and were therefore doomed.

While the admiral and the captain were examining the alternative possibility of an internal explosion, the second salvo of torpedoes; was discharged.

“We mourn the loss of 800 gallant officers and men," said Lord Chatfield. “The Admiralty, on whom the responsibility broadly rests, has resolved that it has learnt a bitter lesson. The Government does not propose to hold a judicial inquiry, which would impose an additional burden on those engaged in an intense and not wholly unsuccessful struggle.”