Evening star., 1940-06-04
British 10 Keep Bulk
Of Fleet at Home,
U.S.. Observers Think
Estimates of Increase in
Force in Mediterranean
Range to 20 Pct.
BY FRED H. MOZART, Jr.


OF its fleet in home waters.
Before the war started last Sep
tenher the British had minimum
of so fighting craft in the inland
sea which offers short route from
the Orient and African east coast
to the homeland. Since that time
a considerable shifting of vessel as
signments has been made and ship
movements have been kept as war
secrets
However, it is believed, the Medi-
terranean force has been increased
at least 10 per cent based on con-
servative estimates. Other observers
believe the British have made as
much as a 20 per cent increase in
sea forces guarding the Gibraltar
Suez route.
The home fleet, which operates
around the British Isles has taken
no little loss in operations in the
Channel, the North Sea, and other
points along the Atlantic front, it
was pointed out. Early in the war
many of the ships stationed in the
Mediterranean were hurried to the
scene of activity against Germany.
This was brought out through the
announcement of ships destroyed or
damaged by German operations by
sea and air.
U. 8. Patrol Frees Many Ships.
It is believed here, many ships
we're brought in from regions not
likely to be in danger at present.
1t was pointed out that since the
United States began its neutrality
patrol, the Allies were relieved of
the task of maintaining an enlarged
feet on this side of the Atlantic for
German blockade purposes.
The American action freed in
Vulnerable Allied ships for duty
along the home coast. In addition,
it is believed that several ships from
the West Indian-South American
squaGrons have been recalled for
duty in European waters. Among
these it is believed here that the
Exeter and. either or both, the Ajax
and the Achilles are around the
British Isles. Shortly after the his
toric fight with the German pocket
hattleship Graf Spec, the Exeter and
one of the lighter cruisers were called
home to show the home people the
power of British might.
In the beginning of the war
Britain had listed eight submarines
as on duty in the Mediterranean
area as well as l3 motor torpedo
boats 1t is believed that in view of
the likely type of action needed
against Italy in case of war that
these numbers have been greatly
increased. In several quarters it is
held likely that the British would
feel it unnecessary to increase their
number of battleships and battle
cruisers here
Though the French Admiralty has
been working in close harmony with
the British in actions to the west, it
is understood that the larger portion
of her fleet has been kept in Medi-
terranean waters. This would seem
logical in view of the protection
needed for the sea lane from North
ern African possessions to South
France. Over this route flows most
of the French man power and sup
plies from Algeria ard other pos
sessions of North Africa.
Speculation on Malta.
Considerable speculation was given
to the position OF the British base of
Malta, which lies only 100 miles south
of Italian Sicily. Caught in pincers
between Sicily and Italian Libya, it
is thought the British probably
would put up stiff fight and then
retire to stronger points Meanwhile,
the Italians could b. expected to
make drive against Corsica in an
effort to take it away from the
French and thus break the threat to
Central Italy
The part air power will play in the
Mediterranean area is more open to
speculation. However, it seems a
foregone conclusion that the French,
operating from land bases at home,
will drive air attacks into the North
ern Italian industrial areas, while
at the same time using combined
naval and air forces to battle the
Italian navy.
Close secrecy has veiled the actual
disposition of the British fleet in the
Mediterranean, but It is believed that
probably the larger portion of power
is being held in the vicinity of the
Suez Canal and the Near East, where
large concentrations OF land forces
are being assembled
Two other sea power factors af-
fecting the war picture are the parts
the Australian and Canadian navies
are assigned to handle The Cana
dian navy is small and its fire power
relatively of little consequence in
operations of the magnitude de-
veloped since the invasion of the Low
Countries.
Canadian Vessels on Convoy Duty.
The Canadian ships. primarily of
the destroyer class are being used
for convoy and escort work on the
stood With them are considerable
number of similar British ships,
acting in cooperation along the
shuttle line from the St. Lawrence
River and other American points to
the British Isles.
The Australians, apparently, have
been held to activity in the Indian
and Pacific Oceans on similar con-
voy and patrol duty. Thus far no
reports have come out mentioning
Australian ships in the theater of
war along the Western European
Coast.
Aside from those fighting vessels
participating in the Norwegian cam
paign, it is believed that the Home
Fleet is centered around the south
ern bases of Portsmouth, Plymouth
and Falmouth and in spots around
the Bristol Channel Plans are be-
ing rushed to develop these points
as new communication points for
shipments to France now that the
English Channel has fallen under