BRITISH SHIPPING

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21362, 5 March 1941, Page 5

BRITISH SHIPPING

LOSSES EXCEEDING CONSTRUCTION 1 MORE UNITED STATES HELP NEEDED 4 ENEMY VESSELS MAY BE HANDED OVER (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received March 11.25 a.m.) NEW YORK, March 4 The Journal of Commerce, in an editorial today, declared that the bottleneck of shipping munt be broken. Britain’s shipping losses are reliably reported to be running into two and a-half times the volume of the new British construction, therefore the expansion of United States aid to Britain makes necessary a steadily increasing supply of shipping space. The 200 ships now under construction would replace only seven months’ losses at the present rate of sinkings. An authoritative Washington source indicated today that consideration is being given to moving to Britain German, Italian, Danish and French ships now in American ports, of which there are a very large number. It is pointed out that unless very early steps are taken to relieve the British shipping position it will be impossible to ship the increased American munitions production in Britain.

SHIPPING LOSSES 60,868 TONS IN WEEK EXAGGERATION BY HITLER EIGHT SHIPS SUNK IN CONVOY '.Official Wlrelea?) (Received March 5, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, March 4 Hitler’s claim in a speech on Feb- | ruary 24 that 215,000 tons of British i shipping has been sunk “in the last two days”—a figure which increased the next day on the German wireless to 250,000 tons —is completely disposed of by the official figures now published in London of the mercantile losses due to enemy action in the week ended at midnight on February 23. The total losses in this period were 14 ships, of 60,868 tons, comprising 13 British ships, of 53,834 tons, and one Allied ship, of 7034 tons. The German High Command claimed that a total of 69,028 tons was sunk in this period, and the Italians claimed 6500 tons, making a total enemy claim of 75,528 tons. This unusually modest claim shows the astonishing lack of consistency between the High Command version and that of Hitler himself. It is now known that seven ships were sunk in the convoy attacked by a German raider off the Azores on February 12, when the Nazis claimed 14. Of the 19 ships in that convoy 11 reached port safely. One other was torpedoed and sunk 12 days later. GREECE BOMBED DAMAGE TO SEAPORT NO CASUALTIES REPORTED (Official Wireless) (Received March 5, 11 a.rr ) RUGBY, March 4 A Greek Ministry of Home Security communique says: “ Bombs dropped on Preveza, a fortified seaport on the Gulf of Arta, caused small damage to I property. There were no casualties. Lyxouri and the rural districts of Lefkas were also bombed, without damage or casualties. DISMISSED BY NAZIS MAYORS IN HOLLAND (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyrig-ht) (Received March 5, 11.40 a.m.) THE HAGUE, March 4 A German decree dismisses all mayors, aldermanic councils and municipal committees in Amsterdam, Hilversum and Zeeandam. Government commissioners replace them. FORCE OF 450,000 ITALIANS IN ALBANIA GREEKS REPULSE ATTACKS j ENEMY ARTILLERY SILENCED (United Press Assn.— Elec. Tel. Copyright) ATHENS, March 4 The Press Ministry reveals that the Greeks repelled two heavy attacks in Albania. There was strong artillery preparation lor the first attack but the Greeks, firing from heights of over 5000tt., broke up the advancing Italians. They vainly made another attack and suffered heavily. An Athens communique reports i restricted engagements between con- j tact forces. “Our artillery silenced ! enemy artillery in several sectors,” it I is stated. “Excellent shooting ex- J ploded an Italian munitions dump.” i Estimates of the total strength of i the Italian forces in Albania place it at a moderate estimate at about 450,000 men. together with reserve divisions.

COMMON DEFENCE I UNITED STATES AND MEXICO PLANS FOR COLLABORATION TO MEET AGGRESSION (L’nited Pre-s Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received March 5, 11.20 a.m.) WASHINGTON, March 4 The State Department has announced that pursuant to the Declaration of Havana on July 31, 1940, Mexico and the United States have i agreed to exchange views and coordinate common defence. The Mexican Government has instructed the military, naval and air attaches at the Mexican Embassy in Washington to discuss with United States experts plans relating to the assistance which the two countries will render each other in the event of aggression against either. Conversations are already in progress to discuss the manner of carrying out collaboration, observing always the greatest regard for the principle of the national sovereignty of the two States. BRITAIN AND CHINA NO MILITARY PACT " THAT IS NONSENSE ” (Called Press As si.—Elec. Tel. Copyrlgmi (Received March 5, 11.40 a.m.) SHANGHAI, March 4 Asked whether China and Britain are planning a military pact, the British Minister replied: "That is nonsense.” RAN THE BLOCKADE GERMAN FREIGHTER’S SUCCESS “END OF WAR SOON” (Official wireless) (Received March 5, 11 a.m.) RIO DE JANEIRO, March 4 Brinkmann, captain of the German freighter Lech, which ran the blockade from Bordeaux, said the only occurrences worthy of mention were the numerous meetings at many points with German vessels and longdistance bombers. Brinkmann said the Lech will not leave until after the war ends,” which won’t be long.” DAMAGED VESSEL ESCORTED BY FLYING-BOAT SEVERE TEST PASSED (United Press Assn.—Liec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON. March 3 The navigator of a Coastal Command Sunderland flying-boat passed a severe test when for three days he provided an escort lor a damaged merchant vessel which had been disabled by enemy action and was drifting 300 miles west of the Shetlands in very bad weather. The crew of the Sunderland received the position of the merchant vessel and instructions to find he/. Visibility at sea was two miles wila clouds down almost to the water at times and a gale making it extremely difficult to steer an accurate course. After two hours flying, however, the skill of the navigator brought the aircraft right over the crippled ship. The Sunderland had difficulty in keeping the ship in sight but signalled her that other ships were coming to her assistance. After staying with the merchantman as long os fuel allowed, the Sunderland started for home. On the return journey it flew over a convoy which had been ploughing through mist and rain for days with no glimpse of sun or stars from which to get a position. As the aircraft approached the leading ship signalled “Where are we?” The Sunderland was able to supply the answe;. Although the same bad weather continued for the next few days, the Sunderland returned several times and escorted the crippled ship on Ui« way to port

It is known that 24 divisions have been in action, from prisoners taken, while other Italians include 26 battalions of Blackshirts and 18 independent battalions.