SEA WARFARE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 February 1942, Page 3

SEA WARFARE

POSITION IN WESTERN ATLANTIC DEFENSIVE ORGANISATION INCOMPLETE. SOME FURTHER LOSSES. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, February 25.

The recent heavier shipping losses, which were referred to by Mr Churchill in his statement in the House of Commons war debate, have been on the west side of the Atlantic, it is learned in London. The Allies are holding their line well across the North Atlantic, but toward the American coast the vast defensive organisation that is necessary for adequate protection is still being assembled and experience is being gathered. There is a very large number of U-boats operating at present, but their effect on the Anglo-American supply line in the North Atlantic has-not been very much greater than in previous months. The enemy are, however, discovering soft spots along the American coast, where all the merchant ships are probably not yet armed. This enables the U-boats to come to the surface and shell the ships, so conserving their torpedoes. The very severe sinkings off the American coasts have extended down to the Caribbean Sea.

Moreover, the Allies have suffered severe losses due to the entry of Japan into the war. A message from San Juan, Puerto Rico, states that the British tanker La Carriere (5685 tons) was torpedoed and sunk early today 75 miles from Puerto Rico. Twenty-three survivors have been landed.

Washington reports that the Norwegian freighter Blink has been torpedoed and sunk off the Atlantic coast.

Six men, who are the only known survivors, gave an account of a terrible 66-hour ordeal which they experienced in a swamped lifeboat in rough, sharkinfested waters.

The probable loss of life is 24. Seventeen men in the crowded lifeboat went mad and then died from thirst and exposure. The lifeboat capsized several times, and men were repeatedly washed overboard by huge waves. Two steamers were sighted, but they did not see the lifeboat.