GUARDING THE NORTH SEA.

Taihape Daily Times, 15 April 1918, Page 6

GUARDING THE NORTH SEA.

SILENT WORK OF THE FLEET. The German naval authorities have on several occasions made it appear that important operations have been in progress. The motive is obvious, says the Naval and Military Record. The German people have been asking what their navy is doing, and therefore an endeavour has been made to give the impression that light forces could make raids on British coasts with impunity. Nothing could be farther from the fact. Enemy light forces may on occasion rush through the patrol line in the darkness or in thick weather, hastily shell some coast town, and escape to their ports, but took the greatest risks with* no other object than to revive flagging confidence in Germany. There exists no record of the numberless instances in which enemy forces issuing on business or Casual enterprises have ffled \o(n sighting superior British forces. The object kept in view the guarding the North Sea is twofold. Trade has to be protected and control of the enemy’s fleets maintained to which principal object the whole of the Grand Fleet organisation is directed Harwich has been a base of the highest importance for the command of the North Sea. Rear-Admiral Sir Reginald Tyrewhitt is in command of the greatest organisation of light cruiser, destroyer, and submarine flotillas that has ever been formed. These flotillas are constantly sweeping northward close up to the enemy’s minefields. There are other bases along the North Sea coast, and the R.N.A.S. works in co-operation with them. The whole North Sea is covered with a network of observing craft, Rarely can any enemy movement take place without being observed, and greatly [superior forces l can be concentrated to demonstration in strength. Any enemy raid is a mere evasion of the naval force, not affecting the naval situation in any degree. The object 'pf iJEjfritiah naval preparations is to bring the enemy’s main fleet to action, and the operation of the flotillas are organised with that object.