FLEETS IN ACTION

Evening Star, Issue 20130, 21 March 1929, Page 8

FLEETS IN ACTION

MEDITERRANEAN MANOEUVRES LIKE THE REAL THING Pre«> Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, March 19. The second battle squadron of the Atlantic Fleet became sorely pressed. Viewed from the ilodnpy. the flagship Nelson looked like a wallowing hippopotamus attacked by a swarm of ices, and it was adjudged that she was damaged. It was also estimated that .He Hood lost 35 per cent, of efficiency, hut the aircraft was adjudged to havc_ lost heavilv. The Vindictive towards nightfail signalled: “I am sinking.” Hie Atlantic Fleet closed up. stilt without Sights, and crept along the moonlit sea, a twisting line of shadows. Then the Prime Minister of the Atlantic Fleet’s country wirelessed lo the Comma nder-in-Chiel : “Naval success is essential at all costs in order to restore national confidence.” The Atlantic Fleet moved onward, sinking a quartet of enemy destroyers. The Mediterranean Fleet’s star shells stabbed the distant skyline, indicating that the Atlantic Meet’s light craft were engaged in action. The Atlantic Fleet changed its course with the starboard hori/.on flaming with parachute flares, which resembled scores of lamps floating in the sky. As file range diminished fragments of star shells foil around flic Flodney with screams like live shells. Ihe Rodney ?■ guns banged and shells hurst over the hitherto invisible foe. Flares lulling slowly seaward silhouetted the enemy battleships. With crashes and vivid flashes the gnus hurled shrieking projectiles through the darkness. _ The battle ended, every ship turned on her lights, countless rows of which illuminated the sen.—Australian Press Association.