ATTACKS ON SHIPPING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 February 1940, Page 6

ATTACKS ON SHIPPING

GERMAN HIGH COMMAND CLAIMS ALLIED & NEUTRAL TONNAGE. HEAVY FIGURE OF ALLEGED CAPTURES. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Day, 11.10 a.m.) BERLIN, February 8. The High Command claims that since 'he outbreak of war, the German Navy has sunk 409 enemy and neutral merchant ships of a tonnage of 1,493,431. The Navy has seized 354 ships, of a tonnage of 607,881, which were brought to harbours for Prize Court proceedings. Germany admits the loss of 42 ships, of a tonnage of 236,957, of which 141,525 tons were scuttled, 13,106 tons confiscated in enemy harbours, and 82,326 tons captured. BRITISH REPLY ADMIRALTY GIVES FACTS. (Received This Day, 11.10 a.m.) LONDON, February 8. The Admiralty controverts the German claims and says that to February 4, 274 merchant ships had been lost, of which M 3 were British, with a tonnage of 505,9.98; fourteen were French, with a tonnage of 76,689, and 117 were neutral, with a tonnage of 342,357. The Germany Navy has not captured any British or French ships and the German figures must apply entirely to neutrals.