BIG NAVAL FORCE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 2 September 1942, Page 5

BIG NAVAL FORCE

GATHERING AT GIBRALTAR REPORTS AROUSE SPECULATION London, Aug. 20. Naval commentators are watching with interest Axis and neutral reports about a “formidable naval striking force” which is said to be assembling at Gibraltar. Vichy news agency, which has no reason to exaggerate British sea power, has reported from Lalinea that two more battleships, an aircraft-carrier, 16 destroyers, and several other warships have arrived in Gibraltar harbour. It adds that the new ships have brought British strength at Gibraltar up to three battleships, four aircraft-carriers, three cruisers, 26 destroyers, 12 other warships and several submarines.

These statements are entirely unconfirmed in London, but all reports say that it is rumoured in Spain that the British Fleet intends to make another sally in the Mediterranean. The “Daily News” naval correspondent says: “Whether this is intended or not, we can take comfort from the undisputed fact that the Navy at this supreme crisis in the war at sea can assemble such mighty striking power right on the Axis doorstep ” Evidence of British naval strength in the Mediterranean was given by a Luftwaffe commander in a broadcast from Berlin last night. He was introduced as commander of the Axis fighters engaged in the great Malta convoy battle, and he said: “The Malta convoy swept through the Mediterranean like a thunderstorm. accompanied by lightning. It was one bf the hardest jobs we ever had. When we heard that the convoy had aircraft-carriers with fighters we conferred with the Italians for many hours. It was a gigantic and bitter fight between our planes and British planes and ships. From ships we managed to sink, German and Italian rescue planes and craft picked up survivors.”

The talk is regarded in London as being of a very sober character and it is pointed out that there are no claims of “annihilation.” It is indicated that the most significant feature of the talk was the phrase “ships we managed to sink.”