THE GNEISENAU?

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 88, 13 April 1940, Page 10

THE GNEISENAU?

NAZI SHIP SUNK. May Have Been Mistaken For Blucher. EXPERT'S SUGGESTION. Cniferl Press Association.—Copyright (Received 2.30 p.m.) LONDON", April 12. "The Times'" naval expert suggests that it is the German capita) ship Gneiscnau, of 20,000 tons, armed with 11 in guns, and not the 10.000-ton cruiser Blucher, as earlier reported, which has I been sunk in Oslo Fiord bv coastal batteries. There i> no doubt that a large warship was sunk there. It is difficult, however, to believe, he says, that she was the Bluclicr, because it is most unlikely that the Germans would send an Sin gun cruiser like the Blucher against 11 in gun forts, which the warship was -endeavouring to silcncc when sunk. '

SUPERIOR TRAINING. Reason For R.A.F. Successes In Battle. THOROUGH INSTRUCTION. British Official Wireless. (Received 2.30 p.m.) RUGBY, April 12. Jhe continued success of the R.A.F. in encounters against the enemy are regarded in informed quarters as "being in a major degree due to the superiority of British training over that given to Xazi airmen. Even before the war independent observers in Germany commented on the comparatively small amount of flying apparently going on in relation to the huge air forces being built. It is not improbable that the shortage of fuel, and other reasons have affected the Germans' flying training since the war. Although many more pilots are now being trained in the R.A.F., the thoroughness of the training has in 110 way been reduced, and no pilot has been passed out to the next stage or to an operational squadron without the full flying practice and instruction insisted upon under the R.A.F. scheme. TRADING WITH ENEMY. LEGISLATION EXPLAINED. British Official Wireless. (Received 2.30 p.m.* RUGBY, April 12. An announcement made by the Treasury draws attention to the fact that the '"trading-with-the-enemy" legislation applies to "any areas in occupation of a Power with whom His Majesty is at war.*' While, therefore, the legislation does not apply to Iceland, Greenland or the Faroe Islands, Denmark, being in German occupation, comes under the prohibition.

BELIEVED TORPEDOED. SWEDISH TANKER LOST. (Received 2.30 p.m.) LOXDOX, April 12. The big Swedish tanker Sveaborg, returning home from the United States with a cargo of petrol, was sunk off the Scottish coast. Her crcw was saved. The vessel's owners understand that the ship was torpedoed. The Sveaborg was a vessel of 907G tons gross and was built at Hamburg in 1931. R.A.F. CASUALTIES. LATEST OFFICIAL SUMMARY. British Official Wireless. (Received 2.30 p.m.) RUGBY, April 12. The Air Ministry casualty communique No. 25 lists* the following casualties on various dates: — Five killed in action; one previously reported missing, believed killed, now reported killed in action; five wounded or injured .in action; eight missing; 25 killed on "active service; two missing, believed killed on active service; 14 wounded or injured on active service; one died of wounds or injuries received on active service; six died on active service. CONSULTATION GOES ON. BRITISH ENVOYS IN LONDON. British Official Wireless. (Received 2.30 p.m.) RUGBY, April 12. The consultation between Viscount Halifax", Foreign Minister, and British representatives in south-eastern Europe, is continning to-day and on Monday, after which it is anticipated that the representatives will return to their posts. BRITISH BY-ELECTION. CONSERVATIVE UNOPPOSED. (Received 2.30 p.m.) LONDON", April 12. In the Lonsdale, Lancashire, by-elec-tion Sir lan Fraser (Conservative) was returned unopposed, replacing Lord Balniel, who has succeeded to his father's title of Lord Crawford of Belcarres. ON WESTERN FRONT. " NOTHING TO REPORT." (Received 2.30 p.m.) PARIS, April 12. The day's communique says: "There is nothing to report."

{By special- arrangement Renter's World Service, In addition to other special sources of Information, is used in the compilation of the overseas' intelligence published in this issue, and all rights therein in Australia and Xew Zealand are reserved. Such of the cable news on this page as is so headed has appeared in "The Times" and is sent to this paper b.v special permission. It should be understood thai the opinions are not those of "The Times" uataa. ggpieaEljr stated to be to-]