We have criticized elsewhere the ideas which unhappily control naval
policy at Whitehall, but how little they affect action at sea is shown in the thrilling account of the fight in the Channel which took place on April 20th in which two British destroyers encountered six German destroyers and sent two to the bottom and forced the others to fly. For the gallant young men who com- manded our destroyers there was no question as to their policy. It was to attack and destroy the enemy. The Swift ' the moment she saw her enemy flew at him literally like a wild cat. She missed her first spring, but in turning for a second neatly torpedoed another German boat in the line. The ' Broke ' actually managed a cutlass action. She rammed the third German boat at full speed, looked with her enemy, and fought her to a frazzle. A mob of Germans rushed upon her deck and engaged a midshipman hand to hand. In the meltce which ensued the invaders were soon put over the side. But we cannot summarize this Homeric fight. Our readers must tarn to the glorious original.
