SUBMARINE CAMPAIGN

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20908, 13 September 1939, Page 6

SUBMARINE CAMPAIGN

If Germany has thrown the full force of her submarines into the attack on Allied shipping, and it is believed she has, the campaign has not been as successful as Germany must have hoped. It is evident that some time before hostilities began the submarines were stationed at vital points over a very wide area, and along the most frequented trade routes, waiting for the signal to attack. Although no convoy system has yet been developed by the Allies, it is believed that only about a dozen ships, mostly small, have fallen victims to the undersea craft. In the worst days of the submarine campaign in the Great War over 300 Allied ships were sunk in one month. Germany has clearly determined to spare no effort from the beginning to wreck the Allies’ overseas trade. “Sinking on sight” is the order, and it is a matter for gratitude that before shipping could be organised into well protected convoys a heavier toll has not been taken. When the British and French navies have placed all available armed vessels in the full service of protection the opportunities of hostile submarines to prey upon isolated ships will be still further limited. Confidence that the Allied navies can keep the seaways open seems to be fully justified, although some casualties must be expected as long as the war lasts.

What success has been achieved in the destruction of submarines has not been disclosed. In fact, not a solitary instance of the kind has been reported definitely, but it is unreasonable to suppose that with the strength and the advanced equipment of the British Navy, all German submarines have escaped. One difficulty the submarines have to contend with is that they cannot remain at sea indefinitely without replenishing supplies. It can be taken for granted that the British Navy is keeping close watch over all ports where fuel and other supplies might be sought. And when the convoy system is in operation any attempt to attack ships accompanied by escorts of warships will run a more serious risk of detection and destruction. No doubt an intensely dramatic story of attack and counter is for the time being bidden by the veil of censorship.