NAVAL LOSSES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 164, 11 June 1940, Page 6

NAVAL LOSSES.

The Admiralty has confirmed the loss of the aircraft-carrier Glorious and the transport Grama which the Germans in yesterday’s news claimed to have sunk. Unfortunately two destroyers, the Acasta and Ardent, and an oil tanker have also fallen victims to enemy action. Beyond the fact that the engagement took place in the North Sea there is no further information except that the other vessels were accompanying the Glorious and the Orama was not carrying troops. This is the second aircraft-carrier to fall to the enemy, and the lost destroyers bring the total to 22. In addition one capital ship, two cruisers, eight submarines, and six smaller types have been destroyed. But' Germany has suffered far more severely as the records of all the fighting show- Exclusive of submarines the total is placed at 24, including the pocket-battleship Graf Spee. Half of Germany’s pre-war strength have become casualties and the estimate of 60 U-boats, though unofficial, is a significant loss. In recent weeks there has been some respite from submarine activity, brut Germany apparently has now trained more personnel to engage in this type of warfare. Notwithstanding Britain’s losses more and more additions are being made to the Fleet, and the strength at the beginning of the war .is not only being maintained but expanded. Nearly a million tons of warships are being built in British shipyards . and Britain’s sea power is greater today than in September last as the accelerated output adds to the Navy’s strength. Moreover units of the Polish, Dutch, and Norwegian Navies are with the British Fleet, the guardian of our liberties and the instrument which enables the merchant ships to feed Britain. It is this proving might that alarms the German High Command and leads to the silly claim that air power has ascendancy over naval power, happily disproved by the epic of Dunkirk.