NAVAL OUTLOOK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 July 1942, Page 3

NAVAL OUTLOOK

FLEET COULD OPERATE EVEN IF ALEXANDRIA FELL. STATEMENT BY SIR ANDREW CUNNINGHAM. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) WASHINGTON, June 30. Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham, the British naval representative, who formerly commanded the Mediterranean Fleet, in a statement to the Press, said:' “Even if Alexandria falls, the British naval operations could continue in' the Mediterranean. Should Rommel’s forces drive on to Alexandria, the British Fleet could operate from Port Said, Haifa and Malta.” He admitted, however, that this would be very awkward, and the loss of Alexandria would create risks for the British Fleet which, it could be assumed, had been guarded against. Admiral Cunningham said that till October-November last year the British Fleet had been able to sink 50 per cent, of the supplies flowing to Rommel. The Axis air attacks on Malta reduced' its effectiveness as a base, and “consequently Rommel apparently got all he wanted and considerably more than we thought.” The German newspaper “Boersen Zeitung” states that Japanese submarines are operating in the Gulf of Aden at the eastern end of the Red Sea.

BRITISH ASSURANCE ACCEPTED BY EGYPTIAN PREMIER. The Egyptian Premier, Nahas Pasha, in a speech in Parliament, said he had received a message from the British Foreign Minister, Mr Eden, saying that Britain not only was still resolved to defend Egypt but also had available ways and means to put its plan into effect. “I am assured that the situation is satisfactory,” the Premier said. “I am in constant contact with the British diplomatic and military leaders and am following the evolutions of the bdttle hourly.”