CORAL SEA BATTLE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 May 1942, Page 3

CORAL SEA BATTLE

QUESTION IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS NO PUBLICATION OF DETAILS AT PRESENT. SUPPLY OF DIVE-BOMBERS. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 9.45 a.m.) LONDON May 20. Replying •to Mr Ellis Smith (Lab.) in the House of Commons, Sir Archibald Sinclair (Secretary for Air) said full details of the part played by dive-bombers and torpedocarrying aircraft in the Coral Sea battle were irot available. "When the reports were received they would be carefully studied for any new lessons. Steps were taken in July, 1940, to ensure an adequate supply of dive-bombers and the question of more accurate bombing from high altitudes was constantly under consideration. Mr A. V. Alexander (First Lord of the Admiralty) replying to Rear-Ad-miral Sir M. Sueter (Con.), said that, judging from newspaper reports, it was reasonable to deduce that planes and aircraft-carriers operated in the Coral Sea battle. Sir M. Sueter: “Haven’t you accurate details from the United States about this battle? It is very important that we should know something about it.” Mr Alexander replied: “We are anxious to get all the particulars. Perhaps you have seen the Navy Department communique of May 9, in which it is stated that they are not publishing details for the time being.”