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Documents Relating to New Zealand's Participation in the Second World War 1939–45: Volume I

154 — The Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs to the Governor-General of New Zealand

154
The Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs to the Governor-General of New Zealand

27 May 1940

My telegram of 15 May (No. 140).

While in the South Atlantic the Admiralty intend escorting US 3 by HMS Cumberland1 and HMS Shropshire.

Reliable evidence indicates that no German surface warships were outside Home waters on 18 May, and in particular that both pocket battleships were then undergoing repairs. Therefore, it is highly probable that the raider now believed to be at large is of a disguised merchant ship type against which one 8-inch cruiser would be more than a match.

It is the intention that the next port of call should be Freetown, where adequate surface and air anti-submarine patrols are in force, although there is no evidence that German submarines have as yet attempted to proceed so far afield.

With regard to possible Italian intervention, it is known that all Italian surface warships are in the Mediterranean or the Red Sea area. The Straits of Gibraltar are closely patrolled against the possible passage of submarines, and even should hostilities commence against Italy in the immediate future, it is not considered that there would be any necessity to divert the convoy to Trinidad.

The arrangements for escort from Freetown onward will be considered later.

1 HMS Cumberland, 8-inch cruiser, 10,000 tons.