The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1940-11-14

BRITISH SEA POWER
Gripping OF at least one-third of
Italys first line battle fleet with
damage to other Fascist war vessels
at laramie by British bombers ranks
as one Of the most important naval
successes Of Europe's war. The Brit
ish victory is a direct result of
Italy's invasion Of Greece, which
allows Great Britain for the first
time the use OF offensive bases
within easy striking range OF Italian
ports.
The serious reduction OF Italian
sea power. coupled with the added
strategic value OF the new British
naval stations at Crete. gives Great
Britain overwhelming predominance
in the Mediterranean Far-reaching
results may be anticipated to Brit
aims advantage, in addition to add
ed security for British transports
passing through the Mediterranean.
Detachments from the Mediter-
ranean fleet can now be made, il
the London Admiralty desires, for
running down armored German
raiders in the Atlantic. Too. greater
protection can be given supply
ships approaching British coastal
waters, and it is possible the block
ade Of the French and Spanish AT
lantic coast may be frightened.
The laramie victory is the wars
first major success OF airplanes
over heavily armored naval vessels.
1t shows that warships at anchor
are vulnerable to large bombs
aimed effectively. il the attacking
planes are able 10 reach their tar
gets.
The British success. however,
must be attributed primarily to the
apparent lack OF efficiently operat-
ed Italian fighting planes. The Tar
anto engagement shows the vital
necessity Of protecting naval bases
with defense planes capable OF driy-
ing off attacking squadrons or keep
ing them so high in the air that the
targets are seldom hit.
simultaneously with announce
ment OF the British success in the
Mediterranean comes the official
British report OF the attack in mid
Atlantic by the armed British mer-
caantman Jeryis Bay against an
armored German raider. allowing
thirty British ships out OF a
total convoy Of thirty.seyen to es-
cape. The courage OF the Jeryis
Bay. not protected by armor. but
engaging a German warship at close
range and fighting until she sank
in flames shows the morale OF Brit
ish seamen is fully the equal OF
British ayiators.
.TAe safe arrival in British ports
OF so per cent OF the convoy dis
proves the German claim OF last
week that the entire convoy had
been destroyed. There is every rea-
son to accept the British version
rather than the German.
Virginia Gayda- ltalys unofficial
spokesman, states that the decisive
war against England is essentially
naval. This assertion is true, but it
must have been written before
Signor Gayds had heard OF the
laramie engagement and the way
the Jeryis Bay saved the British
convoy.
II was unfortunate for Germany
that the two incidents at sea. 50 IA
vorable 10 Great Britain, together
with Signor Gayda's confession.
came after Commissar Molotoy ar
rived in Lerlin He could not fail 10
weigh the new facts against Axis
assurances given him concerning
the future. outcome Of the war.
The ,Russians have SHOWN real.
ism and signs OF impersonality IN
judging the various developments
of the war They should take serious
note Of the sudden strengthening OF
British Mediterranean power and
the difficulty OF reconciling German
claims OF Gripping Britain by con
Noy sinkings with the actual facts
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