AERIAL ATTACK

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24084, 1 October 1941, Page 7

AERIAL ATTACK

BRITISH BATTLESHIP NELSON TORPEDOED LITTLE SERIOUS EFFECT LONDON, Sept, 30 The battleship Nelson was the warship that was damaged in air attacks on the important British convoy which recently passed successfully through the Central Mediterranean. The Nelson was hit by a torpedo from an enemy torpedo-carrying aircraft. Her speed was slightly reduced, but apart from this her fightins efficiency was not impaired. There were no casualties on board. Thirteen Italian aircraft were shot down during the attacks oil the convoy. Three British fighters were lost, but the crews of two of the machines were saved. In the course of the operations a report was received that enemy naval action was pending. A search was made but the enemy force took evasive action. The Nelson was completed in 1927 at a cost of £7,504,055. She and her i-lster ship, the Rodney, completed at the same time, were the first British warships to mount 16in guns. These are disposed in three triple-gun turrets forward. Botli ships are reduced editions of the 48.000-tun battle-cruisers ordered in 1921 and cancelled under the Washington Treaty. Designed to Treaty limits, which could not be exceeded and yet must he approached as closely as possible, weight estimation and economy was a far more important factor than in previous designs. The design is. therefore, peculiar, in that it is governed more by constructional than tactical principles. The designed speed is 23 knots and a complement of between 1300 and 1400 is carried.

POPE AND PEACE SERVICES IF SOUGHT LETTER TO MR. ROOSEVELT (Reed. 12.50 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 80 President. Roosevelt's personal envoy to the Vatican, Mr. Myron Taylor, who is returning to America, bears a. letter from the Pope to Mr. Roosevelt. He conferred last night with Mr. Churchill and Mr. Eden. The object of Mr. Taylor's mission is revealed to be as follows. When authenticated reports of an Italian desire for peace and of the Pope's anxiety to be of whatever assistance possible reached Mr. Roosevelt, the latter was anxious to learn the position at first hand through Mr. Taylor, who carried a personal letter to the Pope. Now it is understood that the Pope expressed a hope that the war would be shortened and gave an assurance that, if his services as a peacemaker were required, he would willingly answer the call. CONTEMPT FOR DUCE INCREASE IN ITALY HARDSHIPS OF PEOPLE (Reed. 5.35 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 29 Poverty, defeatism and distrust of Mussolini are increasing daily in Italy, says the Daily Mail. For thousands of Italians no enemy name is held in greater contempt than Mussolini's. They blame him for dragging them into the war and for the poverty and hunger which have followed. At the moment, however, there is not a leader in sight strong enough to marshal the forces for revolution. The Italians now regard Mussolini merely as a gauleiter (governor), acting under orders from Berlin. They recall that Mussolini once said he would rather be a German gauleiter in Italy than make peace with Britain. The Rome radio says that from tomorrow the sale throughout Italy of all textiles, linen, furs, shoes and hats will be suspended for a fortnight, after which rationing will be introduced. DUTY OF SCIENTISTS ORGANISING KNOWLEDGE LONDON, Sept. 29 Presiding at the session on "Science and the World Mind" at the conference in London of international scientists, Mr. H. G. Wells said: "There is no orderly world mind at present, but only a world dementia, and it is the business of scientific men to pull together in this confusion and prepare a working conception of organised will and knowledge, upon which mankind can go. It has to be done, and if this great international gathering of men of science cannot do it nobody will do it. Only our sort of people can do it. "If you will not, in the dwindling time that remains to us, do your utmost to realise this dream, then, instead of your going out to make the dream come true, fresh nightmares will overtake you and yours and all vou care for."