MYSTERY SHIPS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 3, 5 January 1937, Page 7

MYSTERY SHIPS.

WORLD INTRIGUED, j Novel Features in Additions To British Fleet. CLOSELY GUARDED SECRETS. I'uited Press Association. —Copyright. LONDON, January 4. The naval correspondent of the "Morning Post" says the battleships King George V. and Prince of Wales | already have become mystery ships i to the world. Every naval Power is anxious to know their constructional details. The United States Government has deferred laying down new battleships until it has some knowledge of the British designs. The details are being eloselv guarded, but probably the vessels will carry 12 14-inch guns housed in four triple turrets, thus permitting a high rate of /ire, also 6-ineh guns housed in six twin turrets as secondary armament. In addition there will be at least eight 4.7-inch guns supplemented by four eight-barrelled "pompoms" and a number of multi-barrelled macliine-guns which will fire explosive bullets, as antiaircraft armament. The ships will certainly carry aircraft, which are not likely to number less than four, says the writer. Probably tliey will resemble aircraft-carriers either afore or abaft the armament "citadel." Arrangements probably will be made to enable the ships to be "trimmed down" when in action by flooding the water ballast tanks by which means they will be able to sink some feet, thus increasing the protection to the sides and also decreasing the size of the target. The correspondent says that both will be the most formidable units of any fleet and as nearly unsinkable as it is possible to make any ship. LARGER SQUADRONS. BRITAIN'S NEW AIR FORCE. LONDON, January 4. An important feature in the expansiou of the Royal Air Force is an increase in size of squadrons, some of which have 50 per cent more aeroplanes than previously, reveals the "Daily Telegraph" aeronautical correspondent. Reconnaissance squadrons have been increased from 12 to 18 machines and flying boats from four to six. Fighter squadrons all possess 14 aeroplanes and bomber squadrons 12. Army eo-operatior. squadrons remain, at 12 machines, the most convenient size with a view to allotment to armv divisions.