On the other hand, the enemy lost over 2,000,000 tons sunk, captured or Sseuitled, and over 1,000,000 tons lying useless in neutral harbours. Thanks to. the Admiralty salvage organisation, the total tonnage rescued and saved up to the end of last year was over 1,000,000 tons. Of 50. destroyers which the United States trans. ferred to us, some have already de-Hivered attacks on enemy submarines and others in the course of their escort duties have shared in the res-of victims of enemy attacks.
The peoples of the British Com. monwealth have given unstinted support in the war at sea, Canadian destroyers take no mean share in the vital task of protecting seaborne trade across Atlantic.
Australian, cruisers and destroyers, and New Zealand cruisers participated with great distinction and. success in operations in the Mediterranean and the Middle East, and the protection of important convoys. South African Raval units were also making a very welcome contribution in the Mediterranean, and a. small but highly efficient Royal Indian Navy is doing valuable patrol work in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean.
Mr. Alexander did not betray the strengths of naval contingents of Free France, Poland, Holland and Norway, but they were most used as reinforcements and were steadily ex. anding.
'The Belgians, having no vessels of their own, have come forward to help. man' other ships, and he was glad to say, Mr. Alexander added, that there in now a Belgian section of the Royal Navy.
In conclusion, Mr. Alexander paid a tribute to the gallant ght of the small but heroic Greek Navy.
Skill, Seamanship, Devotion Reviewing the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of British troops from northern France, the First Lord of the Admiralty said that was not task for which British ships were Gesigned. Considerable losses were expected and accepted, especially in damage to destroyers,' but by skill, seamanship and great devotion the deprived the enemy of anything like the toll he confidently antelpated. forces initially much me ferior, Admirals Cunningham and Somerville not only have kept the Italian Fleet cooped in the Mediter~ ranean but have neutralised it even in waters which Italy specially claim.
her own," Mr. Alexander Hated, "In every encounter our crews have shown such superiority. that units of the Italian Navy searcely venture to dispute even the waters around their bases.
"During winter gales British con. voy escort forces paid the price of all navies whose tradition Is to keep the seas. regardless of weather it there is duty to be done.
"Enemy communique claims would seem to show that we have lost roughly twice the number of capital ships, aircraft carriers and cruisers with which we entered the war and more than all the submarines.
"In fact the great body of the fleet August, 1930 remains intact, I would say to the German Navy. We are quite prepared to take you on with all. the ships alone which you profess to have sunk"—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.