SHIPPING LOSSES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 May 1941, Page 5

SHIPPING LOSSES

SEVERE DURING APRIL SINKINGS IN MEDITERRANEAN. SET AGAINST IMPROVEMENT IN ATLANTIC. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY. May 8. Figures shortly to be issued by the Admiralty will show that, while the position in the Battle of the Atlantic has in the last month shown an im- - provcnient. nevertheless owing to losses in the Mediterranean the total tonnage at the command of the Allies has suffered as severely almost as in any previous month during tin l war. For defence reasons, public curiosity about the progress of the Battle of the Atlantic is not to be satisfied, says a London commentator. It was suggested in the House of Commons that the refusal to publish particulars would have an adverse effect on American aid. The Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Information, Mr Nicolson. in reply, said that the Minister of Information was anxious to release as much news as possible, but information which would be of interest to people in America might be of assistance to the enemy. Senator's Figures Incorrect. Although losses in the Atlantic during April represent an improvement, it is learnt in London that the position is not as favourable as was suggested by an American Senator, Senator Vandenberg, who told a committee that during the first three months of this year only eight of the 205 ships leaving United States ports for Britain had been reported lost. High official circles in London state that the figures given by Senator Vandenberg on the alleged authority of the chairman of the United States Maritime Commission, Rear-Admiral Land, are not as a matter of fact correct. Even if they were, it is pointed out that they would give a totally false picture of the seriousness of the situation! Vessels carrying fully-finished munitions of war are naturally provided with the greatest possible protection available, and the percentage of such vessels sunk is, therefore, less than that of vessels carrying less precious but almost equally vital supplies, such as steel and food. This proves that an adequate convoy escort keeps losses to a minimum. The tonnage position must be regarded as a whole. While aeroplanes and tanks are obviously of greater importance than anything else, no use could be made of either if food supplies were to tail off. If the total tonnage is reduced, ships now devoted to conveying munitions will inevitably be diverted to carrying food. The formation of a Naval Reserve Corps has been announced in London. To speed up the turning round of shipping in British ports, officers and seamen who have left the Royal Merchant Navy since the beginning of 1936 will be allocated to ships which need them most, and in return will be ensured continuity of employment, longer leave with pay, and payment while awaiting appointment to ships. The scheme was announced by the Minister of Shipping and Transport. Lord Leathers, who said there had been cases of delay because workers were not immediately available. These delays must be cut out. to win the Battle of the Atlantic.