SHIPS AVAILABLE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 June 1943, Page 3

SHIPS AVAILABLE

FOR MORE THAN ONE OFFENSIVE ACCORDING TO BRITISH. NAVAL WRITER. CHOICE OF RIGHT PLANS. (By Telegrapn—Press Association— Copyright) LONDON, June 17. The United Nations now command a sufficient reserve of shipping to enable them to embark simultaneously upon more than one amphibious operation, says the "Daily Telegraph’s” naval writer. Plans for a number of, such operations have been worked out in detail for a considerable time in order that there should be no delay after the time to strike has arrived. It seemed some months ago that it would be possible to carry out only one large-scale offensive at a time, with periods between offensives dictated by the necessity to regroup the shipping resources and replace the inevitable losses. The Allied shipping position, however, has improved beyond expectations. The number of ships becoming available through new building could always be calculated, but not the number arising from the large reduction in the losses in the battle of the Atlantic, and it is this reduction which has greatly added to the offensive capabilities of the United Nations.

Much of the extra shipping is already available for the offensive plans. The reduction in the Atlantic losses became apparent some weeks ago, so there has been time to earmark the most suitable ships and even make certain alterations and modifications to ships, and also there has been time to group the ships according to the work assigned to them. The ships were set aside for what was termed a "shipping pool for the offensive.” The resources of this pool cannot be regarded as stable or as giving a definite indication of the shipping which would be available months ahead. The vital needs of the trade routes would necessarily reduce the size of the offensive pool if shipping losses were heavy for some weeks. This is one reason why the planning of the United Nations’ offensive has been so complicated and why a number of alterative plans were prepared. More than one plan could be contemplated only after the shipping position had improved. As a result of this improvement the United Nations’ problem has become one of choosing the right plans and assembling the ships and forces, fully equipped, at the right place and at the right time.