INDIA’S NAVAL MIGHT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 253, 23 September 1940, Page 7

INDIA’S NAVAL MIGHT

STRONGEST IN HISTORY.

EXPANSION PROGRAMME

(United Press Association—Copyright.) ■ 'i (Britisk Official Wireless.) (Rec. 10 a.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 22. In cod sequence of the steady growth of India’s naval strength, Vice-Admiral H. Fitzkerbert, whose term of appointment as the flag officer commanding the Royal India Navy has recently been extended for another year from November next, has under his command the most powerful naval force ever to keep guard in India s own waters.

The Indian shipyards are now working at the’ full capacity of the building slips available oil the initial scheme of expansion, Australian shipyards helping with larger local naval defence craft. ' . . ... New modern sloops from Britain will shortly further increase the offensive strength of the Indian naval forces Following the entry of Italy into the war the personnel of the Indian Navy, which has already been expanded 200 per .cent, since September, 1939, is to be expanded still lurther. Tho security of the Red Sea route from India to tho Middle East is strikingly illustrated by the fact that no fewer than 71 troop and military supplv ships proceeded without a single casualty from Indian ports to their destination between September 1, 1939, and August 1, 1940. A total of 944 special military trains were run to and from Indian ports in the first year of the war, and among the units which journeyed safely overseas on active service is the famous Bikaner Camel Corps.