London, May 7.
Since April 1, the Germans have lost 300,000 tons of merchant shipping, practically all of which has been sunk during Norwegian operations, not including transport and supply ships, according to an announcement by the Admiralty.
This brings the total of German losses in the war to 600,000 gross tons, representing about 15 per cent. of Germany's pre-war tonnage.
German mercantile tonnage definitely accounted for as captured, sunk or scuttled amounts to 454,000 tons. It is estimated that in addition a further unidentified 30 ships, totalling approximately 150,000 tons, have been sunk by Allied submarines, mines and aircraft.
According to a report from Rotterdam, the Admiralty announcement continues, the German motorship Robert Ley (27,288 tons), the famous "Strength through Joy" ship of the German Labour Front, was sunk in the Skagerrak during the night of April 12-3. It is also reported, that two German ships have been Sunk near Delfzijl.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.