SEIZU

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 July 1940, Page 5

SEIZU

LJ ® Hk T IT ®j®l IT K 1 arge Proportion Now In British Hands

Naval Battle Fought at Oran

FOLLOWING ON REJECTION OF ULTIMATUM

PREMIER'S STATEMENT

JUDGMENT LEFT TO' THE WORLD AND TO HISTORY Action in Home Waters and Elsewhere THE POSITION AT ALEXANDRIA FRENCH CASUALTIES IN ALGERIA PROBABLY HEAVY A LARGE PROPORTION OF THE FRENCH FLEET HAS NOV 7 PASSED INTO BRITISH HANDS OR HAS BEEN PUT OUT OF ACTION OR OTHERWISE WITHDRAWN FROM THE GERMANS, STATED MR WINSTON CHURCHILL IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS YESTERDAY, A DAVENTRY BROADCAST REPORTS. EARLY IN THE MORNING, THE PRIME MINISTER SAID, ACTION WAS TAKEN IN HOME WATERS AND AT ALEXANDRIA. IN BRITISH PORTS l HERE WERE TWO FRENCH BATTLESHIPS, TWO LIGHT CRUISERS, SOME SUBMARINES, INCLUDING ONE OF 3000 TONS, EIGHT DESTROYERS AND ABOUT 200 SMALLER VESSELS. THESE SHIPS WERE SUCCESSFULLY BOARDED BY BRITISH FORCES AFTER BRIEF NOTICE HAD BEEN GIVEN) THERE WAS NO RESISTANCE EXCEPT IN ONE CASE, IN WHICH THERE WERE A FEW BRITISH AND FRENCH CASUALTIES. At Alexandria there were a French battleship, four cruisers, three of them modern 8-inch craft, and a number of smaller ships. These ships had been informed that they would not be permitted to leave harbour. Discussions were taking- place with the French Commander as to the measures which might betaken to ensure that these ships were sunk or otherwise prevented from falling- into enemy hands. The anguish that this had caused could well be realised. Only that morning, during an Italian air raid on Alexandria, some of the French ships had fired with British ships against the common enemy. At Oran, Mr Churchill said, the most serious position arose. At this port and an adjoining one were two modern battlecruisers, two battleships, several light cruisers and a number of destroyers and submarines. The French commander was presented with the following conditions:— (a) To continue to fight with the British Fleet against Germany and Italy. (b) To sail with reduced crews, under British control, to a British port. (c) To proceed to the West Indies for internment for the duration of the war, the crews to be sent home to France. If these conditions were refused, the French commander was requested to sink his ships within six hours. Failing that, the British would be compelled to take whatever action might be necessary to prevent the ships from falling into enemy hands. It had been hoped that it would not be necessary to use the terrific force of a British battle squadron, which arrived at Oran two hours after the delivery of the terms. All day parleys continued in the hope that the terms would be accepted. The French Admiral refused to comply and announced that he would fight. As a result of the action, in which shore batteries and aircraft took part, one French battle-cruiser was run aground, one battleship was sunk, one battleship was heavily damaged and two French destroyers and a, seaplane carrier were either sunk or burnt. Another battle-cruiser was hit by a torpedo and bombed, but managed to escape from port. Mr Churchill said he was afraid the French must have suffered heavy loss of life. None of the British ships was affected either in gunlire or otherwise and the squadron was intact. It was with sincere sorrow that the British Cabinet had found it necessary to take this action. The decision of Cabinet was unanimous. He would leave the judgment of their action in confidence to Parliament, the nation, the United States, the world, and history. Immediately afterwards the House went into secret session. Mr A. V. Alexander, First Lord of the Admiralty, in a broadcast address, said the British casualties were very slight. One man was killed and one wounded and the crew of one aircraft were missing.