GUARDED CONVOYS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 November 1939, Page 5

GUARDED CONVOYS

EFFECTIVE BRITISH ORGANISATION ATTACK BY HOSTILE CRAFT MADE DIFFICULT. LESSONS LEARNED IN LAST WAR. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, October 31. Experience in the lust war showed that the convoy system can be a satisfactory anti-submarine defence and the lesson then learnt is being practised now. In the main the organisation in the last war is followed now with additional anti-aircraft defence in home waters. No ship sails till a sufficient number to form a convoy had loaded cargo. Then as far as possible ships of equal speeds form the same convoys. The speed of a convoy is that of the slowest ship. Where possible fast ships are given a special escort. The ships sail several columns abreast, with each ship as close behind the one in front as possible. “Station keeping” is the routine Navy work, of .which merchantmen hitherto have had little experience, and the rapidity with which seamen and officers pick up the art speaks well for their seamanship. The convoy steers a zigzag course, altering direction every few minutes at the orders of the convoy commodore, while the escort vessels proceed at high speeds ahead and on either side, searching the largest possible area.

If a ship is torpedoed, one escort vessel stands by while the remainder steam on with the convoy as fast as possible. Throughout the whole voyage the convoy commodore and the escort ships are constantly in touch with the Admiralty, receiving early warning of submarine or other hostile craft. Though not impossible, it is difficult for hostile craft to damage greatly a suitably-escorted convoy.

ATTEMPTED ATTACKS ENEMY AIRCRAFT BEATEN OFF. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, October 31. The Admiralty and the Air Ministry announce: “An enemy seaplane was seen by R.A.F. aircraft off the Norfolk coast this morning. After a short engagement at close range the enemy aircraft broke off the combat and flew away in an easterly direction. “Shortly afterwards a German seaplane of the same type attempted to attack a British convoy some miles to the north. It was driven off by aircraft and fire from the naval escort. Before flying away to the eastward the raider appeared to drop two bombs, but no damage was done.”