SUBMARINE CAMPAIGN

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20914, 20 September 1939, Page 6

SUBMARINE CAMPAIGN

Britain is at grips with the submarine menace in earnest. The loss of the aircraft-carrier Courageous is the first casualty among important naval ships. Although it is a severe blow and a tragic illustration of the destructiveness of the German under-water craft, its seriousness in the whole scheme of the war should not be overestimated. It is indeed remarkable that the huge assembly of the British Navy, operating over the most dangerous seas, has so far, excepting this one instance, escaped damage from the U-boats. It may be assumed that the submarines are concentrating upon British merchantmen because of the greater risk attached to attacks on warships. In the case of the Courageous, destroyers quickly went into action and are believed to have destroyed the submarine which delivered the fatal blow. The exploit shows the desperate courage of the submarine crew in approaching a vessel so well protected as the Courageous, for the exploit invited almost certain destruction. What part the great aircraft-carriers of the Navy are taking in the campaign has not been disclosed, but it may be assumed that with their swarms of aeroplanes they are an important factor in the submarine-hunting force, upon which so much depends. Aeroplanes based anywhere on the open seas have demonstrated their usefulness in “spotting” enemy submarines so that surface craft, notably destroyers, can concentrate on the mam task if bombs from the air are not effective. In a little more than a fortnight about 25 British ships totalling more than 150,000 tons have fallen victims in the submarine campaign. It is expected, however, that the losses will begin to taper off when the convoy system is fully organised and when German submarines find it necessary to seek fresh supplies of fuel, ammunition and food. It is reported that several U-boats have already sent messages to Germany that their supplies are becoming exhausted. Their chances of reaching ports where supplies can be taken in will depend upon arrangements made by Germany before the outbreak of war and upon the effectiveness of the British counters. Submarine supply ships are believed to have been almost eliminated from the high seas.