U-BOAT MENACE

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20955, 7 November 1939, Page 7

U-BOAT MENACE

SAID TO BE ENDED CONFIDENCE IN BRITAIN DIMINUTION IN LOSSES (Official Wireless 1 (Received Nov. 7, 1 p.m.) RUGBY, imov. 6 In authoritative naval circles the frequently threatened intensified underwater campaign against mercantile shipping causes no anxiety and the belief is general that the Üboat offensive has been scotched. Merchant shipping losses since, the . 8 * fortnight of the war, when conditions were most favourable for i such activities, have shown a rapid dimunition in figures. British ships sunk in September numbered 37, the total tonnage being 155,636. In October 18 British ships, of a tonnage of 83,150, were sunk. No British ship has been sunk in November, Other Allied ships sunk in this period were one in September, 2660 tons; six in October, 45,275 tons; none [in November. Neutral ships sunk by U-boats were 15 in September, 37,284 tons; >l7 in October. 44.038 tons; two in November, 12,450 tons. During the whole period, therefore, 55 British ships, of 238,795 tons, seven other Allied ships, totalling 47,935 tons, and 34 neutral ships, of 93,817 tons were sunk. The British losses represent 1.5 per cent, of 18,000,000 tons of British shipping on the high seas. Air Attacks Fruitless As for the German air arm’s part in the naval war the history of these early months has failed to produce the heavy air attack on British shipping that might have been expected, and those efforts which the Germans have made have been entirely fruitless and expensive. No British ship, naval ot mercantile, has been even temporarily disabled from the air except the demilitarised Iron Duke, while the German attacking forces have experienced losses amounting to roughly 30 per cent.