§ 14. Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what have been the casualties to date, in men and material, suffered by the Royal Navy in operations against the Russo-German forces under Colonel Bermondt, General von Eberhardt, and other successors of General von der Goltz, as distinct from casualties suffered in operations against the Soviet forces; whether he is aware that Colonel Bermondt claims to be acting for Admiral Koltchak; whether the clearest-possible instructions have been given to our naval officers in the Baltic in view of the extreme delicacy and difficulty of their position; and whether ships going to or sailing from German ports in the Baltic are being stopped or only those attempting to trade with Soviet ports?
§ Mr. LONGThe answer to the first part of the hon. and gallant Member's question is one officer wounded, nine men killed, and four wounded. Small material damage has been sustained to the upper deck of one of our light cruisers, details of which, however, have not yet been received.
The reply to the second part of the question is in the affirmative; but Colonel Bermondt has been repudiated by General Yudenitch, who has declared him a traitor.
345 The reply to the third part of the question is in the affirmative.
As regards the last part of the question, all German vessels trading in the Baltic, whether in neutral interests or not, are stopped unless they have obtained permission previously from the Allied Armistice Commission.
§ Lieut-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware whether these men were killed and wounded by German or Russian artillery?
§ Mr. LONGI cannot answer for the particular gun from which the shell came. They wore killed in action like other men doing their duty, and died most gallantly.
§ 15. Mr. JAMES BROWNasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what number of ships have been lost since the Armistice in operations in the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea, and at Archangel and Murmansk?
§ Mr. LONGThe information asked foils as follows:
In the Baltic Sea—
No ships have been lost since the Armistice in operations in the Black Sea.
- One Light Cruiser.
- Two Destroyers.
- Two Mine-sweepers.
- One Submarine, and
- Three Coastal Motor Boats.
At Archangel and Murmansk—
- Two Mine-sweepers, and
- Two Monitors.