INDIAN NAVAL FORCES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24411, 24 September 1940, Page 8

INDIAN NAVAL FORCES

OFFENSIVE STRENGTH A CONSIDERABLE INCREASE FURTHER ADDITIONS PLANNED (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, Sept. 22. In consequence of the steady growth of India's naval strength. Vice-admiral Fitzherbert, whose term of appointment as Flag Officer commanding the Royal Indian Navy has recently been extended another year from November next, has under his command the most powerful naval force ever to keen guard in India's own waters. The Indian shipyards are now working at the full' capacity of the building slips available on the initial scheme of expansion. Australian shipyards are 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 further. The security of the Red Sea route from India to the Middle East is strikingly illustrated by the fact that no fewer than 71 troon and military supply ships oroceeded without a single casualty from Indian ports to their destinations between . September 1, 1939. and August 1, 1940. Some 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.