MERCHANT SHIPS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 January 1941, Page 5

MERCHANT SHIPS

I LOSSES SHOW INCREASE I — BUT BELOW WAR AVERAGE. — ADMIRALTY REPORT. A British Admiralty communique transmitted by the 8.8. C., states that though mercantile shipping losses in the third week in January were higher than in the two preceding weeks, they were below the average for the war period. In the week to January 19. five British ships, representing 34.000 tons, and six Allied ships of 23.000 tons, a total of 58.0CX) tons, were lost. VON RAEDER’S THREAT SPEECH PRODUCES LITTLE ENTHUSIASM. LONDON. January 28. In a speech today Admiral von Harder. Chief of the German Naval Staff, said that Germany would continue to deal blows at Britain with all her strength. They did not underrate the enemy, who was fighting for his life. But Germany must and would win. He appealed for the same morale as last year’s ami declared that Germany would cut off supplies from Britain in a hard, relentless struggle and rap the strength of the enemy. Admiral von Raeder’s speech produced little enthusiasm. It is commented in London that, unusually for a German audience, not once was the Admiral interrupted by shouting and cheering, even when he referred to Hitler's successes last year. The audience remained silent. A British Official Wireless message gives the exact figures of losses in the week ended on January 19—five British ships, 34,722 tons and six Allied ships. 23.440 tons, a total of 58.212 tons. It is noted, the message observes, that i the practice .of announcing the total German claims, week by week, alongside the losses actually sustained, has led to a progressive reduction of the claims made by the German High Command During the week under review. Germany claimed a total of 41.000 tons sunk.