LATE NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 24421, 29 April 1941, Page 6

LATE NEWS

EXTENSION OF U.S. PATROL

SMALL WAR VESSELS IN ATLANTIC

(Rec. 2 a.m.) WASHINGTON, April 28.

Disclosing that the United States Atlantic Fleet’s patrol operations had already been greatly extended, informed sources indicated that the Navy had concentrated large numbers of small war vessels along the eastern seaboard in recent months. These craft were most useful for patrol work. Functioning in close collaboration with these are longrange aeroplanes and cruisers. The Navy has been building increasing quantities of small craft and most of them have gone to the Atlantic rather than the Pacific Fleet. It is believed that the Atlantic squadron, which originally consisted of 125 vessels, now numbers at least 200, the vast majority of which are operating off the New England and Canadian coasts. DAYLIGHT ATTACK BY R.A.F.

LONDON, April 28.

Royal Air Force bombers yesterday made a daring daylight attack on a factory and military camp near Cologne. Portsmouth bore the brunt of the Nazi air blitz last night. Considerable damage was done in the residential area and casualties are rather heavy. At least two German bombers were shot down.

DEFENCE INDUSTRIES SHORT OF COAL

WASHINGTON, April 28.

A grave situation has been created by the collapse of the Defence Mediation Board’s attempt to settle the coal strike, as many defence industries are already hampered as a result of the coal shortage. CANADA’S SHIPBUILDING PROGRAMME OTTAWA, April 27. Britain is sending a substantial number of skilled shipyard workers from the Clyde and elsewhere to construct merchantmen in the Government’s 175,000,000-dollar ship-building _ programme. It is unofficially estimated that 5000 workers may come. MORE CONGRATULATIONS FROM MUSSOLINI LONDON, April 28.

Another message of congratulation to the Italian commander in Albania has been sent by Mussolini. It reads: “In this hour of triumph I remember that for five months you have been preparing the conditions for this victory.”