AIR FORCE AND NAVY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 203, 29 August 1942, Page 5

AIR FORCE AND NAVY

BETTER CO-OPERATION PROMISED IN MEDITERRANEAN (Recd. 9.10 p.m.) Alexandria. Aug. 27. The establishment of a new organisation to effect closer co-operation between air, surface and submarine forces in the Mediterranean was announced by Admiral Sir Henry Harwood in his first interview since he succeeded Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham. Admiral Harwood said adequate air support for the British fleet at present was available for only a relatively short distance westward of Alexandria. Geography and air power were the essence of the whole naval power in the Mediterranean. Axis air bases in Crete, Sicily, Greece and the Dodecanese and other islands, also along the Libyan coast, seriously and continuously threatened the British fleet's operations. Adequate air protection was essential for any successful normal operation, although there were times when it was necessary for warships to risk all in order to carry out vital tasks. Strong Allied air forces in the area were unable fully to protect the fleet and simplify its work until the Allies took Cyrenaica, thus providing more forward aerodromes. Admiral Harwood expressed the opinion that the Axis powers used air transports extensively as well as ships to reinforce Rommel. There was no way of knowing the quantities and types of the Axis equipment and reinforcements reaching Egypt but Allied ships were continually cutting at the enemy’s supply lines. The Navy was also shelling enemy shore positions when practicable.