DAY-LONG BATTLE

Wairarapa Age, 21 March 1929, Page 5

DAY-LONG BATTLE

TWO GREAT FLEETS MEET. STRENUOUS OPERATIONS. WORLD’S GREATEST WARSHIPS IN ACTION. United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, March 19. A message from Pollenza, in the Island of Majoria, states that the combined Atlantic and Mediterranean Fleet steamed in there today after a strenuous day-long battle yesterday, an appalling slogging match between the world’s greatest battleships. Dawn yesterday found the Atlantic Fleet steaming south-east from intending to destroy the Mediterranean Fleet’s convoy. All hands were called to action stations. Reconnaissance aircraft early located the Mediterranean Battle Fleet, and soon the vanguards of both fleets, consisting of battle cruisers and light craft, had a brush. Then both fleets turned north on parallel courses out of the range of their guns while aircraft continued skyraiding from aircraft carriers.—(Australian Press Association.— United Service.) GRAPHIC ACCOUNT. DETAILS OF ENCOUNTER. (Received Wednesday, 8.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 19. The seednd battle squadron of the Atlantic Fleet became sorely pressed. Viewed from the Rodney, the flagship Nelson looked like a. wallowing hippopotamus attacked by a swarm of bees and it was adjudged that she was damaged. It was also estimated that the Hood had lost twenty-five per cent of efficiency, but the aircraft was adjudged to have lost heavily. The Vindictive, towards nightfall, signalled, ‘*l am sinking.” The Atlantic Fleet closed up, still without lights, and crept along the moonlit sea, a twisting line of shadows. Then, the Prime Minister of the Atlantic Fleet’s country wirelessed to the commander-in-chief: “Naval success is essential at all costs in order to restore national confidence.” The Atlantic Fleet moved onward, sinking a quartette of enemy destroyers. The Mediterranean Fleet’s star shells stabbed the distant sky line, indicating that the Atlantic Fleet’s light craft were engaged in action. The Atlantic Fleet changed its course with the starboard horizon flaming with parachute flares, resembling scores of lamps floating in the sky. As the range diminished, fragments of star shells fell around the Rodney, with screams like live shells. The Rodney’s guns banged and shells burst over the hitherto invisible foe. The flares falling slowly seaward silhouetted the enemy battleships. With crashes and vivid flashes our guns hurled shrieking projectiles through the darkness. The battle ended when every ship turned on her lights, countless tows of which illuminated the -sea.—(Australian Press Association.—United Service.)