CLOSER SECRECY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 129, 1 May 1940, Page 7

CLOSER SECRECY

MERCHANT NAVAL LOSSES KEEPING ENEMY IN DARK; NAZIS SUFFER HEAVILY. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright:) (British Official Wireless.) Received Mav 1, 9.80 a.m. RUGBY, April 30. The policy of publishing weekly details of the losses caused by enemy action to Allied and neutral merchant ships lias been changed, and in future disclosures will be confined to a statement giving the number of ships lost and the total tonnage, but not tlic names of the ships. This change, has been made in order to prevent information which may be to bis advantage reaching the enemy regarding the efficacy or otherwise of the measures he has taken. During recent operations the Allied naval forces have inflicted very heavy losses on the enemy, the lull extent ol which cannot lie definitely measured. The only specific information of these losses which the authorities here can give is based on what has been actually observed by. tlic forces. On the other hand, the Admiralty s weekly records of sinkings accompanied by tlic fullest details have presented tiie enemy with information often nht, otherwise available, and which might prove to he of the utmost value to him. It is in these circumstances that the change of poliev has been made. It is authoritatively stated that shipping losses last week were very small.