OVERSEAS NEWS IN BRIEF

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 53, 26 November 1941, Page 8

OVERSEAS NEWS IN BRIEF

Alaskan Fire. A lire at Seward. Alaska, destroyed both sides of the main business thoroughfare. The loss is estimated at 1.000.000 dollars. » * * Spaniards for Germany. The first group of 570 Spanish workers drafted into German industry left Madrid on Monday. Additional parties will leave till a total of 4560 is reached. The Owen Gun. Tim Australian Army Department has withdrawn all its major demands for changes in the construction of the Owen gun. This is the outcome of a conference called by the Minister of the Army, Mr. Forde. A few minor changes, the advantages of which were conceded by Mr. Owen, will be discussed with Army experts and the manufacturers, and full production is expected at an early date. # $ ♦ Body Armour Experiments. The. British War Office is experimenting with a new type of body armour for troops. 'Weighing two pounds, the armour is proof against sub-ma-chineguns, and gives protection against bomb splinters and glancing bullets from machineguns and rilles. Tests are being made to determine whether the armour slows down soldiers or reduces their resistance. * ♦ ♦ Exciting Work of K.A.F. Prince Mamud, the 22-year-old son of the late Sultan, and brother of the present Sultan of Tregganau, Malay States, has been accepted by the Royal Air Force for training as a pilot. On bearing of his acceptance the prince said: "The exciting work of the It.A.F. has always attracted me. 1 felt that I could not serve my country better than to become an airman and I am delighted to find that 1 have been accepted as a pilot."