THE CHINA MAIL, SEPTEMBER 15, 1941.
CHINA MAIL
WINDSOR HOUSE
THE MAIN BATTLE
The Royal Air Force is taking full advantage of Germany's invasion of Russia and each day of Soviet ' resistance by pounding at the Nazi in- dustrial and communica- tion systems. From the beginning of the war the longest heads in military administration have ar- gued that until these were broken down the war could not be won. On that
theory they have put
American bombers at the top of their list of priori- ties.
But along with these they have always listed ships. And despite every! turn and phase of the 、 conflict ships have re-
mained at the head of the roll.
They are there more firmly than ever to-day because the drive at the Nazi industrial and com- munication machines cannot be supplied with- out them. So fundamen- tally every battle in the war pivots on the Battle of the Atlantic.
THE SEAS
CHIP ON THE SHOULDER.
Heroes' Signals
Can you remember the date of, however, Captain Warburton-Lee
the Battle of Trafalgar? Few flashed the signal to the Ad- people could. But there is not an miralty:
"Shall I go in?"
It was lucky for the corvette, too, that a "big sister" appeared on the scene in the nick of timet:
*
*
came
We know what happened to, the Italian cruisers that within range of the Watspite's hell-releasing guns.
To help win that battle the United States has been building and trans- ferring supply ships and
old woman or a child in the Bri- substituting its own ves-
tish Isles who does not know The reply did not come until sels in other trade lanes Nelson's famous eve-of-battle early the next morning: the Ad- of the grave to increase the British signal to his men on that history-miralty was aware
making day-
risk that would be run. It replied merchant fleet in the "England expects every man that the Captain must decide for
himself. this day to do his duty." Atlantic. To the same
When the
One of them “just vanished" int exact date of the
In a flash the message came
flame and smoke after a directi end the administration great Battle of Matapan has be- back: "Am going into action."
The enemy was taken.com - hit by seven tons of pounding instituted the United come a matter for head-scratch-
who among us who opened pletely by surprise. Warburton-metal. Yet it was a trio of cruisers that "went "in" and put States Navy Patrol, and our papers on that stirring Mon- Lee made three attacks, and was
an end to Germany's prize battle- occupied Iceland. Always day morning will have forgotten himself mortally wounded.
the dramatic height-of-the-battle His last signal, before he was ship, the "invincible" Graf Spée, in the first the sine qua non has been signal flashed to the Warspite by taken off his sinking ship, lashed off the River Plate the delivery of sufficient the little destroyer Havock as she to a stretcher and towed shore-quarter of the war.
the incre Do you remember clung, like a sharp-toothed terrier,
dible sauce of Commander Har- sea-cargoes to Britain to to the tail of the Italian cruiser
wood's signal to his three ships? maintain and augment Pola:
"Our object-destruction." the war machine.
Amid many distrac- tions, an inner group in America and in England
ing,
"Am hanging on, to the Pola's stern: shall I board her or sink her?"
burton-Lee?..
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By David Raymond
Page
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What was the noblest signal of It's Fresh from the
the war? Surely it must have come. from H.M. Armed Merchant Cruiser Jervis Bay, though we may never know.
On November 5, 1940, in heavy seas, Captain Fegen was escort
Narvik. Do you remember Nar- has never lost sight of vik? And the signal that brought this necessity "the death and glory to Captain War-ward through ley dead-strewn ing 38 merchant ships when
waters by two swimming mem- | powerful” German; warship came bridge of ships" which :- On the morning of April 9, bers of the crew, was
into sight. Out-gummed and out- "Continue to engage the enemy!", dated as his ship was, what did the President promised in 1940, the Germans invaded. Den-
mark and Norway. At 5.a.m. on That action, dramatised by the he do? He steered clear of the his White House Corresat day, the German oll-refining bravest signal of the war, resulted convoy and made straight for the pondents' dinner speech.ship Jan Wellem, which had slunk in the destruction of the German enemy!
President Roosevelt's up the Norwegian coast, disgorged ships, merchantmen and destroy- her hidden cargo of 1,500 Reichs- ers, and earned for Captain War- historic declaration of last whermen on the quayside of the burton-Lee the first V.C. of the
little Norwegian town of Narvik.war. Friday morning (local time) in response to deli-
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Bringing his ship between the prowler and her prey so that they might scatter and escape, he was at once crippled by a salvo from the German's heavy guns.
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On the afternoon, of the same At the Palace investiture, it was day, five British destroyers, the his widow who stood before the
The Admiralty has never reTHESE FACTS MAKE: berate German efforts to and Hunter, were in the Vest Fiord award that can be given for gal-ceived from the Jervis Bay, it Hardy, Hotspur, Hostile. Havock, King to receive the greatest vealed what message they re- see how far they could go with orders, to seek out and des- lantry in action. without bringing the troy the ships on which United States into they would have to depend for
"
supplies.
the
Without a moment's hesitation,
ཚ་
Almost every day, however, signals, laconie in their brevity (as they should be in the grim
"Attacked a ship, then had to submerge 43 hours. Have received 100 depth charges. Propose to re- turn to my station."
any. But the Captain's signal to his men: was—a
"The convoy must be saved In flames and unable to reply, for an hour the plucky little ship fore slic went down, taking the Captain and many of her crew, with her. But all but eight of the
war against them, magni- The odds were terrifically ficently implements that against the Hardy, and her con- and ghastly business of War), he'l the fire of the enemy be promise. Germany now which accompanied the supply men who guard our seas,
ships were larger, and more Recently, the First Lord of the knows more than she ex- powerfully armed, and the Bri- Admiralty, Mr. A. V. Alexander. pected to be taught in one fish ships, in order to attack, told the story of a submarine convoy were saved.
would have to sail up a long, patrolling the Skaggerak, - After There was one occasion when easy lesson.
She knows harrow corridor full of hidden days of silence, the following the sight of the German Navy in". now that. the United dangers.
signal was received from the com- British water proved a very wel- mander
come sight, and, in similar circum- States naval patrol is
stances, will do so again. It gave. changed from a "report-
us the last naval signal of the ing" to a "protective" Atlantic, will be won. And
World War. patrol, with the clearest that is the major battle of instructions to destroy as the war, whatever the well as to discover. If that outcome or duration of means war, the choice is Hitler's Russian cam- Hitler's. President Roose-paign, The United States tacking a ralder is like an arm- velt's decision is as useful has not begun shooting oured bathchair attacking a 60- as it is logical. Nothing is yet at the time of writ more certain now than ing. If it does begin, it is that the Battle of thelat Hitler's invitation,
Another signal came from the Kalser's surrendered battle It was when Beatty brought corvette out on the high seas:flect into the Firth of Forth (led consisted of the four most amaz- by H.M.S. Cardiff, a gracious tri ing words of the war at sen
bute from the rough-handed, Enemy raider. Am engaged." Just think of it! A corvette at- tough-hearted sea dog to Lloyd
George) In 1918.
ton tank! No wonder the First Lord was stunned when he re- ceived that message, or that, as
The signal road- "THE GERMAN FLEET. WILL. LOWER ITS FLAG AT SUNSET FOR THE LAST TIME AND
ho said, "tears camo "inta my: WILL NOT HOIST IT AGAIN.
WITHOUT PERMISSION." суса
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