AIR ATTACKS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 19 January 1931, Page 5

AIR ATTACKS

DEFENCE OF BATTLESHIPS SUCCESS CLAIMED ATLANTIC FLEET EXERCISES {United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON” 17th January. The “Daily Express” announces that as a result of the recent Atlantic fleet exercises the navy is of opinion that aircraft attacks upon ships at sea were defeated. The anti-aircraft gunnery organised at Whale Island, Portsmouth, was so effective that no high flying aeroplane can in future attack British warships at sea. The success is primarily due to the mounting of eight-inch guns on the latest cruisers, which can ho fired effectively at an elevation of 75 to 80 degrees with a range against aircraft at 27,000 feet, which is higher than any bombing aircraft can possibly fly. The guns put up a curtain -of shrapnel through which it was impossible for aeroplanes to penetrate. The barrage will also keep out lowllying aeroplanes carrying torpedoes, as the blast of eight-inch guns alone is sufficient to upset low aeroplanes. It is calculated that if an aeroplane escaped the gunnery barrage 130 aeroplanes would have been sacrificed, which is an impossible proportion. The War Office has made similar progross with anti-aircraft defance on land and is now convinced that the danger of an aircraft attack on London is negligible.