§ [The question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government if they will state the known losses since the beginning of the present war of enemy warships in their various categories other than submarines, and differentiating between German, Italian and Japanese.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY OF THE ADMIRALTY (LORD BRUNTISFIELD)My Lords, the total of Axis warships, excluding submarines, whose loss has been published, is as follows: 3 battleships, 1 pocket battleship, 6 aircraft carriers, 31 cruisers, 157 destroyers and torpedo boats, 4 raiders, 104 other miscellaneous warships, minesweepers and small craft. The enemy rarely admits losses, and no doubt he has suffered others. For instance, no account has been taken in these figures of ships known to have been severely damaged, many of which have probably been actual losses. I propose, with the noble Lord's permission, to publish a further table in the Official Report differentiating between German, Italian and Japanese losses.
§ [The table is as follows:
§ The ships lost by Germany, Italy and Japan respectively are:
§ GERMANY.
- 1 battleship,
- 1 pocket battleship,
- 4 cruisers,
- 39 destroyers and torpedo boats,
- 4 raiders,
- 69 other miscellaneous warships, minesweepers and small craft.
§ ITALY.
- 10 cruisers,
- 48 destroyers and torpedo boats,
- 35 other miscellaneous warships, minesweepers and small craft.
§ JAPAN.
- 2 battleships,
- 6 aircraft carriers,
- 17 cruisers,
- 70 destroyers.
§ No figures available for miscellaneous small craft.]