Losses at Sea
In the recent operations in and off Norway there is one achievement at least which affords ground for nothing but satis- faction—the successful evacuation and transportation of the troops in spite of intensive and repeated bombardment from the air. In convoying the troops to their new destination the naval escort by its fire kept the attacking bombers at so respectful a distance that not one of the transports was hit or damaged, but one British, one French, and one Polish destroyer were unfor- tunately lost on the homeward voyage. These losses must be considered slight in view of the magnitude of the operations and the large numbers of enemy aeroplanes (some forty alto- gether) engaged in incessant attacks. Indeed, the com- parative slightness of the losses infficted on warships by bombers in the whole course of the engagements in Nonvay disposes of the German claim that air force can get the mastery over sea force. The evidence goes to show that ships manoeuvring at sea and protected by their own fire barrage, so that planes are compelled to keep at a great height, present a target exceedingly difficult to hit. Such experience seems te indicate that in regions where much is to be gained by audacity naval units may face air attack in waters which have hitherto been thought too dangerous for navigation.
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