FOREIGN PRESS REVIEW DAILY SURVEY OF WORLD COMMENT ON THE WAR COMPILED FROM TELEGRAPHIC REPORTS RECEIVED BY THE MINISTRY OF LNFORMATION No. M -········"~.?.n£Lh.E.F.J1...."""'''''''"'''"··, 1940 SWITZERI.JiNDt NORWAX' S LESSON FOH NEUTRALS. The view that events in ScandinaVia represent a warning to the neutral countriea j,.s expressed in an editorial article in today• s TRIBUNE DE GENEVE, which takes the opportunity to review the military situation in Norway and comes to the conclusion t.hat the German campaign hM been f a.r from successful• .. . This newspaper writes: "Not only have the German columns in Norway been power­less to effect a junction but they have been unable to prevent the consolidation of enemy troops mi the landing of Allied reinforcements. The entry of these forces into a front solidly sup2orted by the British Fleet fundamentally changes the entire faoe of the struggle. "The events in Scandinavia have had a profound repercussion throughout Europe and constitute a terrible warning to the neutrals who are now asking 1\Vho is to be Gennany•s next viotim'l' The Balkans, Belgium and Holland are all taking precautions. The effect of the hwws on France of the British Naval victories and the landing of British troops has been to dissipate unrest resulting f~om the sad outcome of the Finnish affair. Hence the Chamber of Deputies• unanimous vote of confidence in Ivi.Reynaud. " The real purpose of the German invasion of Norway was to secure Narvik as an exporting point for the transport of ore to Germany, according to the BASLER NACH ­RICHTEN, the Liber·ai Democratic organ, which adds: "But it has failed and thanks to the British Fleet's domination of the sea, it is unlikely to become possible in the :f'uture. Half the German successes in the South are offset by the heavy losses in her fleet and transport;$. There is ample evidence that the project for the invasion of Norway was designe9. and conducted :solely by Hitler." The GAZETTE DE LAUSANNE, the Liberal new~paper, declares: "The Germ~ invasion of Norway with its minute preparations, its orders distributed by traitors to paralyse the defence services and its soldiers disguised as commercial travellers disembarking at ports to begin fighting, all indicate a new method and a special mentality. This mentality separates Germany from the rest of the world. For the Swiss, the Germany of today is simply ineomprehensible. 11 etommenting on "filth column" activities, the ST.GAILE.tl TAGBLATT, the Hadical Democratic newspaper, wrote during th"' weekend: ''Events in Norway and Denmark have greatly startled and disturbed Switzerland where the question is being asked whether :such incidents are possible here. The Government's manifesto has given a reply which sho.vs that the civil and military authorities are prepared to resist any aggression." The TRIBUNE DE GJ!:NEVE declared: "If an infamous Quisling or a grotesque Kuus• inen lurks anywhere in Switzerland today, he knows what to expect." In similar vein, the VOLKSRECHT, the Zurich Social Democratic journal, affirmed: "The spirit of determination to resistp:-evails everywhere in Switzerland. We desire to live in peace with our neighbours, but we.r awaits the aggressor, who will not only encounter a well armed force in a well prepared land, but also the spirit of a united people. " / FOREIGN PRESS REVIEW DAILY SURVEY OF WORLD COMMENT ON THE WAR COMPILED FBOM TELEGRAPHIO REPORTS REOJilIVED BY THE MINIS'rRY OF INFORMATION 22nd April No. ..................................................................... , 1940 BI:~LGIDi\i : PROBwMS OF llL~UTRil.JITY. The Belgian Press today comments at considerable length on questions of neutrality as they affect Belgium and Holland, following speeches by Bel8i an and. DJ.tch statesmen. Comparing r ecent speeches by M. Spaak , and M. De Geer, VOIK EN STA...'\T, ·the Flemish Nationalist newspaper commends the Dutch statesman 's speeoh for its clarity and regrets that M. Spaak1 s address did not state more definitely vmat Belgium's position would. be if Holland. were attacked. 'I'his paper adds: "Certain elements wish that Belgium should automatically join the Allied camp whereas the r eal neutrals and. peace-lovers maintain that she should play only a military role if her ovm territory is attacked." The article concludes: 11 \.'e want ,che Belcian Government to make an unequivocal declaration in the same terms as M. De Geer. This will reassure us against any uncertainties ~nich misht arise seriously affecting Belgian ' 11 exi:::~tence. VOORUIT, the Socialist Party organ printed in Flemish, expresses prefer­ence for H. Spoak' s speech and adds: "Ylhen 11. De Geer boldly d.eclares that Holland needs nobody's help a.nd. vdll d.eal ·with any aggressor herself it is a ridiculous bluff and. untrue, Certainly, the Dutch arn\Y will r esist an invader stoutly but this is not sufficient for a war with Germa.ey-. Consider­able help wil.1 r)e needed immedi e.tely. \iihoever says otherwise only misleads the man in the street." The Liberal: newspaper LA MEUSE "Vvrites: "We agree with M. Colijn that one cannot push neutrality so far as to run the risk of an ineffective and tardy help vmich would be suicidal. _fl,n independent goverrunent must be the free judge of whence the danger comes and. consequently takes all preparatory measur es to meet different hypotheses. 11 Discussing German claims regarding losses inflicted on the Allied fleet by German aircraft LE PEUPLE, the Socialist organ,d.eclares: "These assertions are categorically denied. by Allied. official declarations. They aim at encouraging Mussolini to take his chance against the Allies." Commenting on the vote of confidence given by the French Chamber of Deput ies to M. Reynaud LIBRE BLLGIQl.11.:, the Conservative organ, d.eclared: 11 \;hen we reflect that from the beginning of the war Germany especially \-rorked on cracks in the French internal front, one appreciates the importance of this moral recovery." Continuing this pa1Jer declared: "The British action in Scandinavia has destroyed. the last hope of success for Nazi propaganda in France. Franco-Br i tish solidarity has never been more solid or more intimate." The GAZJ..~TTE DE CHARLGROI, the Lj_beral newspaper 1 referring to the German invasions of Norii-.ray and Denmark stated.: "The neutrals have lost all confidence in right not guaranteed. by sufficient force. In a few days Germa?zy" has lost the benefit of long and difficult propaganda vvhich gave out the conviction that the German menace \7a s not directed against any small state." FOREIGN PRESS REVIEW DAILY SURVEY OF WORLD COMMENT ON THE WAR COMPILED FROM TELEGRAPHIC REPORTS RECEIVED BY THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION No. --··············--·-·-································ 1940 22nd. April :3 .~~DEN: G;_;RI.:'i.NS' PSYCHOLOC-IC_\.L J~RROR, The inability of the German leaders to understand the mentality of the peoples of free nations has been stressed in an article in the Stockholm newspaper E;OCI.\.L DBMOKRl1.T;.:;N. This newspaper yesterday referred to German assertions that until recently a state of ·:iar did not exist between Norvi1ay and Germany, and. des­cribed them as characteristic of German efforts to :maintain the fiction of "protection" in Norway's interests, The German request to the Norwegian Legation to leave Berlin shoTied that Berlin realises that it is useless to continue "laying a diplomatic smoke-screen around the war of aggression -the mask has fallen. " This paper added: "The German reference to the 'former' Norwegian Government makes it clear that the Germans are attempting since the Quisling Government fn.iled, to make the Christensen Administrative Council replace the Nygaardsvold Government. It ru1ould be stressed. however that Norvra.y has only one Government -that appointed by the King and supported. by the Starting. Those Norv·1ee;ians uho can be reached. by the Government 1s word. and. are not cut off from the external vvorld behind the iron curtain of occupation definitely knov-v now that they are waging o. war of liberation in support of a Government that refuses to capitulate. This is not changed by the Germans strange methods to win the Nonregian people 1 s friend.ship. 11 Remarking that it appeared that the Germans had attempted to win Norwegian friendship by sending Bavarians and. !rnstrians vmo after the great war ·were supported for some time in Norway, fjQCH.L DbMOKRATEN added: "In truth, this is a strange way to let the war chilaren sho;y their gratitude to those who once were their friendly foster-:_)arents. Do the Gerrnam; believe that the sieht of these former war children will cause ~he Norwegians to welcome the Germans and. convince them of friendliness in the German visit? In th.ut·case, it is further proof of Germany' s-dif'.ficulty · to comprehend the mentality of the · liberty-loving nations. There is no Norwegian or Scandinavian who entertains any illusions of the real nature of the German action which cannot be concealed by any propaganda." The air correspondent of STOCIGIOLMS TIDNIN:-IBN consid.ered that German aircraft had succeeded in securing the German sea-route to Norway across the Skagerrak and. had succeeded in preventing a British landing in South Norway. It vms add.ed: "British aerial attacks on German air bases in Norwey have , not been so energetic as might be expected from the British airforce which is a first-class force. It is true that the important Stavanger aerodrome has been subjected to attack but by comparatively small forces." The Liberal newspaper DAGGNS NYHETER summarised the history of the "German Department for Germans abroad" and. ironically reproduced assurances of the German Press that Nazi foreign propaganda had no aggressive aims but was merely designed to educate Germans abroad. to the Nazi philosophy. Referring to the operation; in Nori.ray~ ~ .he military correspondent of this journal emphasised the difficulties attached to the Allied landing of troops, and added: "Certainly,it is on]y a matter of time before the Allies control the Narvik area and they should also be able to gain the upper hand in the Trondheim area although three stronc German lines are established. between Steinkjer and. Trondheim." FOREIGN PRESS REVIEW DAILY SURVEY OF WORLD COMMENT ON THE WAR COM.PILED FBOM TELEGRAPIDO REPORTS RECEIVED BY THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION 22nd April ..................................................................... . 1940 No. IT.t;.LY: 11 sIT1L1.TION nr FLUID STATJ;. 11 The celebrations in connection with the foundation of Rome have given the Italian newspapers an opportunity to devote their front pages t~ reports of events other than those in Scandinavia but headlines on inside pages announced German 11 successes" and Allied 11 difficulties'J · There was however a tendency to point out that the situation "is in a fluid state and no-one can foresee the turn of future developments. 11 Regarding the adverse reactions of British correspondents to the Italian Press canrpaign the 'r~lliGR:\.FO in a London message, yesterday gave a long extract from a British magazine urging a more conciliatory view of Italy's attitude. In a further article on the Mediterranean Signor Gayda writing in the GIORNAIB D'IT.!.J.iL'.\. declared that Britain's continued strength in that region depended on her friendship ·with Italy av.Jing to Italy's 'superiority' in submarines and aeroplane~ It vvas added.: "Italy is in the Mediterranean by natural right. France, and. above all Brifa.in, are there by the will for power... •. the present regime in the Mediterranean is substantially the remains of the past when the European no.tions knevr no other laws than those of force and insatiable egoism. "The British and French positions of comr,mnd in the Mediterranean have lost much of their value. They could be passive rather than active and risky rather than domino.tin&. . The defence of these interest::; can be better entrusted. to a regime of liberty for all and of honest collaboration than the ill-supported police mea~sut crucial points in the Mediterranean. The great Mediterranean nations should. therefore have recognised and conciliated their common interests as Italy had. aluays hoped. for. Italy knows that liberty and true security in the Mediterranean are one of the necessary conditions for peace in that area and in l!.'u.rope. tt HOLLAND: SPJ~CULATION ON I'l'ALY' S ATTITlJDE. The Dutch Press during the week-end vro.s preoccupied with speculation as to Italy's attitude towards the war~ UTRECHTSCH DAGBLAD v.;rote: "Italy failed. to scare the Allies and. if they do not get in a more difficult position than they are in at the present moment then their attitud.e towards the Duce v.fi.11 get more povrerful and the end might V1ell be that Italy vdll not even get vrhat ohemight have got by other methods. 11 This paper continued: "The Allied public shovvs more patience in regard. to the affairs in Norvvay than the neutral spectators. It is quite clear that the German action in Scnndinavia is more thrilling and more satisfactory as regards achievement than the careful attitude of the Alliesj But the question is that the future will t each us which was right -the unlimited audacity or the very slow and careful preparatio!"$ " Writing on the attitude of the U.S.A. and Japan to the Dutch East Indies DE MAASBODE, the Catholic newspaper, stated.: "The diplomatic polemics about the position of the Netherlands Indi es arc not r elated to f acts but are symptomatic of the nervousness of the Great Powers. The anxiety felt about the balance of power in the Pacific is a guarantee for the Netherlands, " FOREIGN PRESS REVIEW DAILY SURVEY OF WORLD COMMENT ON THE WAR OOMPILED J;'BOM TELEGRAPHIC REPORTS REOEIVED BY THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION 22nd April. No. 83 -·--··········---·-·--···· ..········..·····..····-·......, 1940 FRANCE : COhili'i"BNT ON TROOP LAf\fDINGS Alm "FIFTH COLUMN" ACTIVITIES. The successful landing of French troops in Nor way and the activities of "fifth column" agents have been referred to at some length in the French Press. LE JOUrtNAL d~clared: "The Allied Ex-pedi tionary Force has landed in Norway without losing a single man, either during the crossing or during the landing operations. This is something which should delight and encourage us all, for it proves once and for all that the German Communique does not hesitate to rely on imagination. "Day and· night, Allied transports have been c ontinuously covering the 375 miles of the North Sea which separates them from the Norwegian ports. They have been trans­porting heavy artillery, tank~ a great deal of material and thousaillds of men. Our ships have been ceaselessly exposed to night attacks, and yet the long stream has never been interrupted. The ~dmiralty Communique speaks of unsuccessful enemy air attacks in which three German planes have been l ost. It would seem that Gennan submarine andair attacks against our troop ships were much less serious than it had b·:;en expected. "Some have concluded from this fact that the Gennan High Command hesitates to expose the Gennan forces to too many unforeseen risks. Others think that the weakness of the air attacks is due to the destruction by British planes of all Norwegian aerodromes held by the enemy. Others again have gone so far as to deduce that German aviation is much weaker than the exaggerated and boastful propaganda of Goebbels has led us to expect.n Writing in the FIGARO on the activity of Nazi Agents abroad, M.D'Onnesson stated: "The state of siege proclaimed in the Netherlands, which has allowed investigations of: Nazi and Communist circles, and the arrest of M.Stoyadinovitch in Yugoslavia -these are important events and healthy reactions. They show that the lesson of Norway has borne fruit, and that the Governments of the Hague and. Belgrade have understood how dangerous to the independenee of their own countries are these centres of intrigue'· ambition, corruption and madness which were ?reparing for treason., •• One can be sure that in all the countries where active pioneers of Hitler's cause are found, there German money has flowed freely for very precise ends••••.• "The more the neutrals can take up attitudes which leave no room for doubt, the l ess danger they will run. The mor e they make UJ their minds t o face the danger which threatens them and adopt openly, without being afraid to use their sovereign rights, whatever precautions are in the inter ests of their security, the less the danger will approach them. The policy which consists in pretending not to f eel in any danger and not to distinguish between belligerents, in order to take re~uge in safer neutrality, is gigantic hypocrisy which decei ves no-one, for everybody knows quite well the gangsters are on on~ side and the f orces of erder on the other, But this hypocrisy does not even pay. Germany will certainly not be led to cease her crimes by Pppeasement, correct behaviour or good faith, The only thing that can stop her is the certaihty that she will find against her a great many determined nations and a great many guns in the right places." FOREIGN .PRESS REVIEW DAILY SURVEY OF WORLD COMMENT ON THE WAR COMPILED FROM TELEGRAPHIC REPORTS RECEIVED BY THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION 83 No. .. .................... ?..?.?..~....~2.~.~.~..............., 1940 U._§: .4 : !iOW_.tii~AT f.11.Il:UH.E WOULD AFFECT REICH. How Gennany wou~~a_ suffer i n the event of a failure of European wheat crops during the coming swrrner is described in an editorial article entitled "The Battle for Wheat in Europe ti ~-E today's N.Svi YOi-lli: I-ILl-?.ALD THI :JUNE. This article states : "Should serious crop failures occur in Europe this year, the chief sufferer among the present belligerents would, of course, be Gennany, especially if the f ailure should spread to the grain-·fields of Russia, as some portents seem to ind.L::::ate. Bar..'.'ed f:;_~om access to non-European markets by the Allied blockade and her own lack of crr.;di·:;, the He::.ch might be compelled bjo such a situation t o risk all to seek a military deci sion before her already straitened rations have dwindled hopelessly,." .American sup::;io:ct for Brits:i.n and France is referred to in the NEW YOH.K TIMES which stat es: "Su;_J_)ort of ·che Allies ·i..n the war with Nazi Germany, cou_)led with demands for an offic:ial embargo on war goods intended for shipment to Germany and Russia was ex-pressed ,:rester-day by th<: Conference of the Social Democratic Federation of New York which declar·ed i n a r esolutic:n ad.opted unanimously -:Nazi Germany's invasion of DerL'1lark and Norway again demoastrates what would be in store for free countries if Hitler won this waxo As f';'.lcial Democrats, true to our position, we abhor war, but there is one th::i.ng thnt is far Yvorse tl·ian war, and that is slavery. The preservation of cur 'Jvm liberties depe11ds on ,me defeat of Hitler's Germany. 111 In an editorial article referring to Gerinany; ;:, claim to defend the rights of neutrals as rel)orted in -che Norwegien ',eriod. 11 ' Concluding the article asked: 11\ifuat is Gennany doing in Denmark and Norway? Does she intend to spread civilisation in the nations from whom she could more wisely have learnt it? 11 Information has now been received that the British trawler referred to in the tjoint communique' issued by the Adtniralty and the War Office at 2043, 21st April, is H.M. Trawler RUTLANDSHIRE. The crew were saved. ADMIRALTY~ ........__,__ s.w.17 ..........--~000--..... -~­ 6-'UWH:O• ... ~·• The Air Ministry announces:­ Last night aircraft of the Royal Air Force again bombed and machine gunned the Ae~odrome at Stavanger. In spite of intense Anti-aircraft fire,hits by 1noendiary and high explosive bombs were observed. · A number of enemy aircraft are known to have been destroyed. All our aircraft returned safely. AIR AFFAIRS. -------...oo 0 ................ 22/4/L~O -N~. 2,. PHJ.JlWH OFFI CL ",L COi1;LiUi~T~u:c (Liorning). E~ris, Monday, April 22, 19400 The following official communique was issued from French G.H. Q. this morning: Activity of our patrols east of the Moselle. As regards events in Norway, it is advisable for the :present to refer to the British Official Comrnunique as follows:­ "There was considerable enemy air activ-ity at Namos during April 20 and many bombs were droppedo "Extensive damage was caused to the town, but the only Allied loss was one British trawler sunk. 11There were no casual ties to Allied tI•oops 11 • (The British communique quoted above was issued jointly by the Admiralty and War Office on Sunday night). Air Ministry Dulletin --·----No •.58J_. 2~/L1-{J±Q_.___ Nq..!..'._ 4._ R.A.F. FLY 800, OOO_J'IILES OVER G~RMANY (Not to be quoted as an Air 1-i~I!.tf?t:;:y Anno1:~ngement}. The exploits of the n.A.li1 . in reconnoitPing German bases in Norway has diverted attention fol" the moment from the accomplishment of the R.A.F. in Germany itselL Yet, since the beginning of the war, aircraft of the Bomber Command have flown no fewer than 800,000 miles over what is known as greaterGermany. The opposition to the raider·s has generally been marked, pa1.,ticularly b~r day, but our losses have been small and the amount and value of the work done has amply justified them. The list of places visited during these reconnaissance flights is now familiar. Wilhelmshaven and other naval bases were reached in the first two days of the war, and Berlin in the first few weeks, in spite of searchli~hts and anti-aircraft batteries outside the city that set up an unbroken wall of lights and fire. Vienna, Prague and Bratislava have also heard the raiders, whose first arrival was obviiosly so unexpected that the undimmed lights of Vienna and Prague were visible thirty miles away. Now most of the cities in Germany have been forced into darkness. What exactly is accomplished by these flights? In the first place the aircraft br ing back photographs and verbal intelligence. In the second the crews have become thoroughlyfamiliar with flying conditions over Ger•-cnany, so that they know the best tactical approach to their objectives in all lights and sorts of weather. For even at night Europe is not invisible from the sky. Under the moon rivers eleam, metal flashes, and the lighter mass of a town is plainly distinGuishable from the darkened countryside. around it. On a moonless night with clouds, things are more difficult for the observer, but even then it is possible to make out a remarkable amount of what lies beneath the aircraft. Pinpoints of light that would not pe1:haps be noticed on a moonlit night become markedo Such pinpoints may derive from ill-concealed windows, the headlights of lorries along important roadE;, or the lamps of barges on a canal. Da~llight presents certain obvious advantages to the r econnaissance aircraft, just as it also presents certain disadvantages. The aircraft can see more, and it can also be seen. At night, except when the ra iders come down to inspect a town or some anti-aircraft defended area, the principal enemy is not the German but the weatheI', which has often been so cold that ice has formed within the aircraft. Thick banks of cloud may obscure what l i ght there is and make the night impenetrably blaclt all the way to and from Ger•many. Again, it may be necessary to fly blind in heavy cloud layers for hours at a stretch and this imposes no small nervous strain. /During -2 ­ During a daylight reconnaissance flight photograyhs have to be t aken, and the inform2tion they contain added to coyious notes made on the spot. The countryside must be scanned for troop movements or other unusual activity on roads, r ailways or rivers; the sky scanned for the approach of enemy aircraft. For in the daytime~ as may be supposed, enemy op~osition to the r ci.iders is fierce. A.nti-aircraft guns fill the air with bursting shells, while the enemy aircraft come out like deadly wasps. Something else h <:'.S also been accomplished in these flights. More tt1e.n 800 flights by d.ay or night without serious mishap have taught the crews to trust their aircraft. They have also given the crews crn~lete self-confidence and have taught them to regard their work not exactly as a matter of course, but as a piece of familiar routi:ne for which they he.ve no doubt of their capacity. Nevertheless, the sense of adventure is not entirely absent. The unpPedictnble is always round the corner. 'l'here is always the possibility, even with the best aircraft and the best crews, of being lost in fog attacked, or forced to come down in the sea or in Germany. To use the words of a pilot who has taken part in these flights, "only those who have found themselves high up above a dark and raging sea and later over inhospitable territory can ap:;_Jreciate the feeling of such strange adventure". Duties and dangers together, however, could hardly help but give each crew a sense of unity in which all thought of self is lost. For four to eight hours at a time they are working together on a job. Before the start, while the engines are being warmed up and tested, and intricate details of navigation plotted, the crew are commissioned by the Intelligence Officer, ver>y much as a barrister is briefed by a solicitor, to obtain certain results. All the known f acts are marshalled. The exact objective, the course, the weather, the possibility of opposition and kindred matters are discussed. Pilots have corrm1entea_ on the excitement of being called in with the others to hear from the Commanc1er what is expected_ of them and hci.ve admitted that this anticip&tion of, and preparation for, a flight over enemy territor;>r is sometimes as exciting as the flight itself. Air Mip.istry. _2..... 1.0 -_ Nq~ 2/._L..,.!/_L.....__ SCHOOLS C.AMPJ~IGN AGAD:r81r \:'TASTE._ Board of Educo.tion Memorrmdur.a. -·--­ . Schools in Englund and Wales c.re urged, in a memorana_um issued today (Monday) by the Bo~rd of Education to Local Education Authorities, to co-o~errrte in the cnrapnign against waste 9rgnnised by the Ministry of Sup~)ly. Urging the importance of avoiding all fo:rns of wo.ste o.t the present time, the memorandum points out thnt supplies of some things are already controlled, in the public interest, but that waste is a personal matter and everyone can assist the national war effort by avoiding waste nnd by saving, for use in war production, materials normally th:rovvn away. 11 Speciol efforts nre needed now11 , the memorandum states. "Schools can help by reminding their pupils of sone :plain facts:­that our shi})ping capacity is not unlimited and is urgently needed for war cargoes: that our imports m~st be paid for by eJ~ports, or foreign exchange, o.nd we must therefore buy from o.broad ns little as possible, so as to limit our im•'.)orts to real necessities. Hence the importance of making an economical use -which means making the utmost use -of everything we buy. 11Whcre collections of waste mD.teri8.l are organised, schools can not only t.ake a ~)o.rt but cai1 give a le2,d 1Jy their exs.n111le11 • Materials most urgently needed include po.per, rags, metals and foils, bones and pig food,. As methods of collection vary in different ~reas according to local conditions, the schools are urged to consult the local authority or local voluntary organisation in order to ascertain how best to co-operate. Similar recommei.1dations have been made by the Scottish Education Department. These a.re already bearing fruit. In Edinburgh, for exaraple, practically every school has co-operatedin collecting bones, with the result that a very large percentageof the estimated quantity of bones used in that city ht::i.s been recovered through the locel schemes. . Apart from the ma.terial results which may accrue frori1 this movement in the schools, it cannot fail to have valuable and lasting effects in the inculcation of the twin virtues of economy and anti-wastefulness. The Board of Education memorandum. concludes: "In the cmapaign against waste the influence of every school will tell. The help which each can give may perhaps seem small, but the ini'luence of the schools reaches millions of homes., and the total effect of that influence can be invaluable in helping to meet an urgent national need".. ~ARD OF EDUCATION NOTE: A few copies of the memorandum, giving the uses to which mnny waste materials are put, are available in Room 8, · Ail'.' Ministry Bulletin No. 58l. 22/4/40. No. 6. PRESH R.A.F. ATTACK ON AALBORG The Air Ministry announces : The enemy air base at Aalb01'.'g was again successfull;y attacked last night by R.A.F. bomber aircraft. Ext ensive damage was done by high explosive and incendiary bombs. Several fires caused by earlier attacks were still bur.ning on the aerodrome. One of our aircraft is missing. AIR AP.FAIRS. NOT TO BE PUBLISHED OR BROADCAST BEFORE THE litORNING PAPl :RS OF 1'...ln.!iSDAL fi.lU..l..!.2..3.• The Norvv-egi an White Paper tells in i m:i_)ressively simple language tl).e story of the Ger man aggression against Norway. Points which emerge from the narrative ar e :­ 1) The German Government did not a:.;r9roach the Norwegi an GovePn.rnent m1til after leading units of the GePman ex~x~dition had actually arPiyed in Norwegi an territoPial V\atcr• s and engaged the Norwegi an forceso 2) The German Minister in Norway, cognisant of the f a ct tha t the Gex·man ex:pedition ha d left home poPts before k9Pi l 8th1 made no attern:•::it to re:9r e sent the German a ction as a re~·?risal for the British mine l aying., 3) The Norwegi an Government we11t to the utmost limit of concilia tiono Herr Hitler 1 however, refused as usual even to negotiate, and preferred a b1"each v1 J.th NoPway and all its conseguences to abandoning his demand that Major Qu~isling should_ be Primo Minister. In the event he was forced subsequently to discard Major Quisling, but the e»is:ode Nl.ows: 0nce; more that even when doaling with countries against which he has no grudge Hitler is incapable of negotiating or of making the l east concessiono FOREIGN OFFICE NEWS DIVISION. __...,..__.__.,.., _ _ ,_~·~,--.. --· ___ ...,.--.~.......e.. .J. ~.. ~ .. ~--~ f-w Hr. H.G. Judd, 89.lvage Controller, E:inistry of Supply, has sen'c the following memorandum to all loca.l author:ities in Enr;land, Scotland and Wales :­ The War developments of the past few days have thrown into dramatic reli~f the vital importance of salvaging waste paper, cardboard and rags, to tPke the place of wood pulp from Sc!lndinavian countries. The saving and collection of these naterials for repulping at the mills is now not merely a matter of desirability but one of .!!_at~~~-~-.-~':1:~ Every bundle not salved is an irretrievable loss of essential material. lviany Local Authorities are operating salvage schemes for paper, etc., but it is now imperative that every Local Authority should take all means within its power to de~.l adequately vlith this matter in its ovm district. It has frequently been suggested to the Einistry that compulsory powers should be taken to this end. I cannot believe, however, that compulsion is necessary to induce Councils il:ibued with a sense of public duty to discharge that duty, especially in a. time of such national need. I run riccordingly instructed to request your Council to send to me ~s early 3.s possible, and in &.ny case by 30th instant, a statement of ­ (a) the scheme your Council is oper r!tin[!; for the collection of these IM.terbls, (b) what further steps you can take to intensify such collection, ( c) in the event of your hPving no s cheme in operation, the steps your Council will ~take to put an adequate scheme into immediate operation. Your Council will 6pprecisJ:;e that whilst the necessity for offici<=1lly organised effort is novr of pFlr.,,mount importance it is still desir8ble th!:.t voluntary efforts should be given every encourageme,:1t. It is 0 therefore urged thd your Council shou-1.d tBke steps to co-ordin·te all existing loce.l voluntary collections into their scheme. A further widespree.d. e!.ppe::.-.1 will shortly be made t o the public th!·ol1.,) 1 the press and by broadcast; this ~ppeal is bei ng deferred for a few days so that the Councils will have an opportunity of m<>Jdng the best arrangements to collect in the cleanest possible condition the material which the public vrill undoubtedly save in response to the appeal. Its vitality for use and repeated use is in direct ratio to its cleanliness. If you r equire inform2.tion or ::J.ssistance with regard to the disposal of the material, please communicate ilwnediately with the Paper Control, Rending·. In vi~ff of the national urgency of making every possible necessary preparation before the appeal to the public, the Minister requests that you vvill take immediate steps to lay this letter before your Council. NINISTRY OF SUPPLY, Press Of fice, Adelphi. Vl. C. 2. 22.__4_. 40. It has been reported that duri112: tho air activity off the South-Bast coast on FI'iday nir,ht a considc:c•able number· of :i_Jersons :smlled u:p blinds and opened i,-vindmvs to see what -rras coine; on, without troubling to extinguish lie:hts. The hinistry of Home Security issues an urf.eat warning on this subject, as such action, which is in direct contravention of th0 lichtin2; rcstl"ictions, is attended with great danzer from tha point of vie~ of national security, and is also punishable by heavy penalties. It has also been reported tho.t many ~;iersons irvhen advised by the :;iolice to take cover actually became abusive. 1 The Ministry of Home Security asain reminds the :;mblic of the necessit~ of taking cover, not only when an air raid vvarning may have been sounded but also when anti-airci->aft t unfire or the sound o'f' bombardment is heard in the vicinity, or when air combats are taking ~i;:>lace overhead without warning having been given. It should be borne in mind that fraernents from anti-aircraft shells or machine-pun bullets from aeroplanes may come to earth at considerable diste.nces from the :9oint at which they were fired. Casualties have already been caused through peo:?le i gnorine :9ast warnings. It must also be I'emembered that anti-airc:."aft guns may come into action in any locality, and that :;_)ossibly occasional bombs may be dro~·;rped, without the air raid warning sir•ens having been sounded. The reasons for t~1is were fully ex~9lained in Parliament on October 25th by the Sec1"etar~r of St2,te for Air•, and have since been repeated on several occasions. 22nd April-1940. No. 10. -·------·~·M-:-.A "Fo 203 o In war-time when the safeguarding of the food supplies of the country is of paramount importance, there can be no excuse for failure on the part of owners of animals to take proper measures to prevent avoidable losses from disease among their stockc. The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, therefore, ~invites the at-'-.e:iticn of pig owners to the methods that they can employ to p;:: o'Gect their animals from attacks of' Swine Erysipelas~ This disease occurs mostly among fat pigs, sometimes causing heavy mortal ity, but even where the mortality is lowj considerable financial loss is caused through deterioration in the condition of the animals as a result of an attackJ It exists in all parts of Great Britain and occurs throughout the year. There is, however, a very marked increase in the number of outbreaks and in the severity of the attacks during the summer period, ioe. in July and August . It has been proved that the simuitaneous jnocula~ion of pi gs with a properly adjusted dose of a specific serc'.m and vacc ine confers an immunity lasting for five or six months and will avert losses. Consequently, all pig 0 1vners who have in previous years had outbreaks of the disease on their premises at all frequently, are strongly ~dvisecl to consider, in consult­ation with their Veterinary Surgeons, the desirability of having their animals vaccinated.in the spring or early summer before the S6ason of greatest activity of the disease o The Ministry of Agri culture and Fisheries has issued an .Advisory Leaflet an Swine Lrysipelas. 'l'he leaflet No. 17 describes the nat~re of the disease and the preventive, remedlal and sanitary measures that can be adoptedo Copies of the lea1~let may be obtained on applic­ation to the Ministry's offices at 10s ~hitehall Place, London, S. ·.v. 1 o 22 .4.40/No .12 P.N. 1638. PRESS NOTICE The Postmaster General, the Rt. Hon. W.S. :Morrison, M.C., ICC., M:.P., has appointed Mr. H. Napier to be his Principal Private Secretary, and 1ifiss M.B. Sale to be his Assistant Private Secretary. GENERAL POST OFFICE 22nd April, 1940. 22,4.40 No.13. Householders in the more vulnerable areas from the point of view of liability to air attack will shortly receive from their local authorities nn A.R.P. Information Card containing essential information for themselves and their families in the event of an air raidc The card, which is rather l arger than tho average gas or electricity meter cnrd, is intended to be hung in a permanent and prominent position in tho house. It contains directions as to what people should do who may be injured or gassed but who arc able to walk. There is information about car e and use of gas masks, about ·air raid warning signals, fire precautions and fire-fighting. There are also some warning words about lighting restrictions. Certain spaces arc left blank in the cards as sent out by the Ministry of Home Security~ These are for the addresses of the Wardens' Post nearest to the reci;::>ient's house, of the nearest First-aid Post, the nearest Senior Warden, and the householder's "ownn warden. This informo.tion will be forthcoming locallyc About 6,000,000 cards o.rc being printed for immediate distribution. MINISTRY OF HOME SECURITY. AIR MINISTRY BULLETIN N0.584. 22.4.40 No.14iL LAST NIGHT'S ATT~ ON NAZI AIR BASES. (Not to be quoted as an Air Ministry announcement). Continuing their relentless hammering of German air bases in Denmark and Norway, aircraft of the Bomber Command last night again attacked Aalborg and Stavanger aerodromes, destroying a number of enemy aircraft, causing extensive damage to the aerodrome surfaces and buildings, and starting numerous fires. The first of the British raiders to attack the Danish base at Aalborg arrived over the aerodrome to find that night flying operations were in progress. The aerodrome boundary lights were on, a flare pntn was in position, and four enemy aircraft were circling the landing ground preparatory to landing. . They quickly made off when the British bomber opened its attack. This time the Aalborg ground defences were not caught unawares. Numerous searchlights, ranged in a wide circle outside the aerodrome, f12shed into o.cti on, ond int.ense anti-aircraft fire was opened as the British aircrnft, striking in rapid succession, came in over the target to deliver their attacks. Numerous hits were registered on the landing ground with high explosive bombs. Six fi:•'Js, kindled by inccmdinry bombs, were left blazing in different parts of the aerodrome. One pilot, approaching from o. he!ght of only 100 feet, found that most of the searchlights could not be depressed to so low a level and, rising over the target, wns able to place an accurate salvo of bombs on 2 road near the aerodrome control tower. The a tti:tck on St::ws.nger wo.s carried out by a powerful force of 11ong-rnnge bombers. By the light of o. full moon, nearly 50 enemy aircraft were seen dispersed around the edge of the bomb~ pitted aerodrome. A group of about 15 aircrnft, standing close together, was chosen as a target by one of the British raiders, and a salvo of ten ..,')mbs was dropped from a low o.l titude~ In the explosion which followed at least six aircraft were destroyed and others are believed to have been badly damaged. Other nircrnft, also making low-level attncks, sowed ~ lane of high explosive bombs across the n.erodrome from south east to north west, and started severo.l fires with· incendiary bombs. The crew of one British aircraft, after making their run over the target, returned o.nd attn.eked ct line of enemy nircraft with machine gun fire they saw two of the aircraft burst into flames. Mo.chine gun attacks were ·n1so made on gun batteries and searchlight posts. The rniders met with concontrnted pom-pom o..nd machine-gunfire from batteries outside the aerodrome. The barrnge ceased o.bruptly as each aircraft passed clear of the landing ground. Heavy nnti-2ircr2ft fire was also encountered from a hill to the north of tho aerodrome. AIR MINISTRY. 22/4/40 No. 15..!. L.R _E_J3__L_ N 0 T I c E The Royal Cornri1ission on Workmen's Conrpenso.tion intimate that their next sitting for the ~urpose of taking evidence will be held in Room 137 on the first floor of Thurnes House (No. 2. Entrance), Millbank, London, S.w.1. on Thursday, 25th April at 10~30 a.m. and on Friday, 26th April at 10.30 a.m. The sitting of the 001ill!1ission will be o::icn to the public and the Press. ++ ++++++-H-++ HOME OFFICE.!. _. . • r _... ..-..,;... . .. r . .~ ,It ; ..._,• .,...,.. . ....... ... .. The War Office, London, s.··. "!. 1• 22nd April, 1940. The following is the latest list of German Prisoners of War:­ PRI~.iOlLR OF WAR. Rank, Christian Surnaine. \'Jhere From. Age. ~· Obergefreiter Heinz KOCH Nordaffsun o/Herz 27 1:N2MY D:SAD. Pl ace & Date of Remarks . Olt. Rudolf Burial. Chevingt on ·cemetery1 Mor peth1 Northw1 berland, 9. L1.•40. Seeton H. No. 20 Fel. Gustav HARTUNG -do-Section H. No. 25 Uoff. WUNDERLING -do-Maker's Section H. No. 65 t ab on "Schwimrd­west e" found on body. 22/4/l.i.O -No.17. THE CYPRUS REGIMENT. Corrunissions in the Cyprus Regiment have been approved for five Cypriotse The number of applica­tions for enlistment has now reached 7,000, and volunteers are still coming forward -an adequate answer to the attempt made by German propagandists to discourage Cypriots from enlisti:eg. From the parents of Cypriot:; troops in France enthusiastic letters are being received, The theme of nearly all these communications is "There is no better job than that in the Army~ 11 DOMINION AND COLONIAL AFFAIRS. 2:3nd ~iprLb ... 1940; J:io.,, 18 l.:., _:.. • .ii'. 204 .. iJINISTRY OF .A.GRICVL'11URE Ali""liiOUl\CEJVIBNT. ~GRlCU.GTUa.L...L \/0:::1.K ~-=ts JJ{O :i:.~ILI'L~"':lf S.'=-q vrc-z: hen required to Re~ist2r on 27th A~ril 1940~ The men re~uired to re3ister on 27th April, 1940, are those not alreaJ,y-rez;istarecl Y1ho •. .;-src born bet·..-1een 1st Jai1u.c-ry, 1913 and 27th April, 1920, both dates inclucive. The eff~ct of this registration will be to regist~r th6 following new clesses. (a) ?.~en re -:.ching the ase of 2J betHeen ?th April~ 1940, and 27th April, 1940~ bot~ da t -s s inclusive; and ( b) ti:en who reached tlrn a;e of ~G durin,:?; the ye -r 1939. Kost a iricultur2l workers and horticultural workers eaJ2~ed on food ~reduction required to re3ister on 27th April, 1940, will be coverad by the Schedule of Reserv~d Occupations, but application for cl1e )Ost _.·one .::s:i.1t of callin~ up for :1ilit~°'ry service may b e me.de in :..~espect of ·,uei1 who rec:.ched 20 betv1eEL"'l 7th April, 1 j 40 and 27th April, 1940, both d2.tes inclusive.. 3ucl1 a_,,plic2ticns for postponement must be sent to the County War A:;ricultural ~xecutive Co __mi t tee a.s soon as the men have r .:.gistered. The aiYi.Jlic2,tion mus..t be made ·on for~ N~S.lJOA, and as the latest da0e for receipt of ap.._:Jlico.tions bJ the Cammittee is 15th Hay, employers sl.1ould a_;ply at once .to their ,·:2r Agricultural :;xecutive Co ,..~rnittee for the req_uisite application f ormi The pefiod o1 postponeillent granted will not exceed six :i1onths, and no postpoae~·:ent will be aanctioned 0xcept where the ;:ia11 is iil a 11 key" position on the farli, a11d it is im1Jossible to obta in a substitute or to make other arrangements~ 22/4/!:J:Q___..N......,o......1"""'"9........ .. GERM.Ali M,..\.P,S OF NORWAY CAPTURED The Norwegian High C.ornmand announce that they have captured from the Germans copies of wnr maps of Norway, based on the Norwegian rectangle maps and neutral maps, which were specially printed in Germany in February of this year. It is obvious that the plans of the Gerrnan General Staff for the invasion of neutral Norway go back to an early date in the war, +++++++++++++ M_IL_I.-T._.AR ..-.F-A....,I~ .....Y..._AF_.. The Secretary to the Ministry of Transport mak:es the follo~ing announcement:­stee;h. foL_·~J?-e construction and maintenance of motor vehicles. Manufacturers of motor vehicles, accessories and components should inform the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, Hobart House, Wilton Street, London 1 S.W.1, not later than 30th April, if they require steel for the quarters ending 30th September, 1940 and 31st December, 1940, for the construction and maintenance of vehicles of the follo~ing types~­ (a) Public service Vehicles (including omnibuses, coaches, and trolley vehicles1 but excluding trams). (b) Goods Vehicles, (c) Trailers, ( d) Private Cars, and also for spare parts and service. It should be stated under each category vrhether the requirements are for home civilian use, for export or for both. In the case of electric battery vehicles and components the information should be sent to the Electric Vehicle Association of Great Britain Ltd.~ 2 Savoy Hill, London, W.C.2, Applications received after 30th April cannot be considered. Ministry of Transport, Metropole Buildings, Northumberland Avenue, w.c.2. 22nd April..L.1.940. (3540) Not tor ~ublicati~_g before 7o35 Po m. to-da~\.'....o.. As this script is issued ln advance it should be checked with the actual broadcasto THE ;?RESENT SITUATION IN NORWAY. by HIS EXCELLENCY THE NORWEGIAN MINISTER. (M., Erik Colban) Broadcast in the B. B. c. Home Service on Monday~·· April 22, 1940. at 7c 25 p.mo The peop1e o:t.' Norway i"lave enjoyed peace for more than one hundred years,. And. during that period all the actiYity of the nation was :-:oncentrated upon the development of its economic life and the establisr..ment of the best social conditions. They have now been called upon to prove that this prolonged period of peace has not undermined the force of the country or 1,11/e akened. the national spirit.. On the 17th of May~ 181Li. ~ Norway adopted its :free constitution. That a.ate is our national day. And each year on that day proud and confident words have fallen from the lips of our statesmen and leaders, and the youth of Norway has sung with deep conviction and feeling the words of Bjl6rrDstierne Bjt'>rnson: "Yes~ we love this coLmtryo And as the struggle of our forefathers brought it out of hardship to victory, also we, when called upon , will rally and fight for its peace." The time has ccme, when the people of Norway shall make good this promise given to the Fatherland and show themselves worthy descendants of the many generations of Norwegians, who during more than a thousand years under varying conditions and under often almost desperate difficulties maintained the unity of the nation and the spirit of Norway. The war, in which Norway is now engaged, will, I am sure, show that individual freedom and ~personal liberty of action and of opinion do not lessen, but rather increase the power of resistance of a. nationo ; Each man in Norway has something of essential value to fight for: his rights as a free man~ :every home in No:i..•way is a stronghold of freedom. The enemy may destroy much,, He can neve11., stamp out of Norway the spirit 6f independence a11c1 pei>scma1 :{reedomo Norway/ -2 - NorYvay was taken unawares by suriirise G.nc1 in defiance of all rules of international lavv. We Yvere rnili tarily unl'.)r~pared.. We had put our trust in international ;:;,ooctwill9 and we thought that it was :;i , .ssible to maintain friendly relations Yvi th all foreign nations. I believe that my country c1ic1 right in holding on to this icleal 9 even if we now must suffer terribly because of our confidence. As ;,-re were rnili tarily unpre-:)ared for ·war 9 we also were i n our minds v1holly unprepared for it until very late. The war carne to the Norwegian people as something unbelievable 9 something contrary to all reasonable expectations. The result was a kind of bewilderrnent 9 when we wer e attacked_,, It could not be truo, it was too much against all our accustomed ideas of what is 9ossible between rtations. But do not think t hat this militaPy and mental unprepar•edness for war means that the people of Norway will not fight or that it cannot fight. J ust because ue feel t~c terrible injustice of the position i n which we find oursclve;s today 9 Yve are dotcPmined to resist the aggression vYith al l:.our strenG,th so as once mor•e to sec the soil of Norway a free cmcl hn:?PY country in the undis~;:iuted possession of Norwegians aloneo Much has been written about those ·who betrayed their country in its hours of danger~ Do not believe that they represent any party in NorYvay or that they sts.nc1 for any puo lic opinion.. No 9 they are isolated9 misguided persons, There are no parties now in Norway. vVe arc all only Norwegians. The questions~ which in peacetime loomed highest and foremost in our' thoughts~ have gone into the background~ Personal and private interests have been set aside. Norway is fighting toa_ay sic:.e by s i cl_e with youo I have read in the papers that amongst the British nor1 in my country are also troops from Canada, where so many thoussnds of Norwcgi nns found a nevv home cl_uring the second part of l ast century, a.nd rrhorc the link with the old home country is al w2ys maintainedv I hnve received touching messages of sympathy and mo.terial aid from New Zealand. I believe that -the whole of tho British r;mpire watches Norway's struggle with a 1 strong feeling of our cor~1unity of interest. We are fighting, you for your Empire, -vve for Nor•way, both of us for our national freedom and for the personal liberty and l asting happiness of all our citizenso The struggle may be hard, the sacrifices perhaps heavy. But vve cannot go bnck~ We have to see it througho I know that the Allied Govt)rnmEmts have taken vigorous action for the battle to be fought on Norwegian soiL I trust -and I commit no indiscretion by saying that I ho.ve His Britannic Majesty1 s Gov ernment with me in tM_s -thcit the action will 'be very strong and r a1Jid,, 'Ne o.11 know that every day, every hour, now counts. The s acrifices we all mus t fncc may b e lessened, if we do not hesitate to make them nowo /And not -3 ­ .And not only for military purposes is it so tremendously important that the action should be both strong and rapid. If Norway shall not see its whole economic life coming to a standstill, its seaborne trade must be reopened without delay. Like Great Britain, Norway depends more than most countries upon that trade. We must see to it, ·in close co-operation with you, that our merchant vessels can again move freely across the North Sea, bringing the goods essential for the maintenance of life in Norway and carryingthe extremely valuable material, which Norway can place at the disposal of its Allies, In the course of the coming night the war in Norway will have lasted two weeks. The public does not know very much of what has been done during these two weeks in order to meet the situation. You have, however, heard of and rejoiced in the brilliant action of the British Navy at Narvik. You knovv that British and French troops have been safely landed at several spots on the coast of Norway and are now in contact with Norwegian forces. The news broadcast today has been very encouraging and we feel that all the fighting forces, including the air force, are gaining ground. We must now try to wait patiently for further news, however hard it is to be patient, when so much is at stake. And v;e must have confidence and not make the task harder for those who now are responsible for the action taken and to be taken. Nothing can stimulate them more than the fact thn.t we trust them. They khow that the war in Norway is no side-show but a most vital part of this gigantic struggle. Meanwhile arrangements have been made here in London concerning the bi~ Norwegian Merchant Fleete Norway's ships still flyNorway s flag on all seas. A nd good and friendly co-operation with the British Authorities makes it possible for the fleet to go on with its business for the common benefit of Norway and its Allies. I cannot end this talk to the British public without ex,ressing my personal deep appreciation of the numerous signs of sympathy and goodwill I have received during those two weeks, and of the suggestions which have been made to me with regard to relief work for the suftering population of Norway. That is a question which I may perhaps be given an opportunity to revert to on another occasion. Let me conclude by saying once more: It is terrible to be at war. But I am glad Norway is fighting side by side with you. And I know we shall win through to a happy future for our countries. BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION. 22/4/40 -NO: 22. REF. ISSUE NO~ 9. The Ministry of Home Security regrets that in the notice issued this afternoon (Issue No~ 9) regarding the snowing of lights during air activity off the South-East Coast, reference was maa.e to nFriday night", This should have read 11Saturday night". MINISTRY 0 QF HOME 0 SECURITY. . 22/4/4o __No~_2.2!_ P R :C S S N O T I C E FOR MORNING PAPERS ONLY. NOT TO BE PUBLISHED ON THE CLUB TAPES OR BY BROADCAST OR IN ANY OTHER WAY BEFORE THE MORNING OF TUESDAY, 23rd .APRIL, 1940. CHIEFS OF TIIB STAFFS. --·---· -..-j H.M. Government have recently been considering the p:ressul'e .... upon the tine and energy 6f the ChiGfs of the Sta~fsj it is ciear from recent experience that, as the war deveibpSj this sttairl is bound tb inereaseo Air warfare alone makes this inevitable, and indeed, the effect of air wa1"fare is to necessitate, in greater or less degree for all three Services, a 24-hour shift. On the assumption that the strain may be prolonged it has been thought essential to take steps ~o relieve it to the greatest possible extent. For this purpose, with the approval of His Majesty the King, the rollowing new appointments have been made in the three Services:­ To be Vice-Chief of the Naval Staff:­Vice-Adm~ Tom S~V. Phillips, C.B., at present Deputy Chief of Naval Staff. To be Vice-Chief of the Imperial General Staff:­General Sir John G. Dill, K.C.B., C.M,G., D.S.O. at present commanding the First Corps in France. To be Vice-Chief of the Air Staff:­Air Marshal R.E. c. Peirse, C.B., D.s.o,, A.F.c., at present Deputy Chief' of the Air Staff, The holders of the new posts will be members of the Board of Aamiralty, the Army Council and the Air Council respectively. They will be available for consultation by the subordinate Staffs when the Chiefs of' Staff themselves are at meetings or otherwise engaged; they will also be available to attend meetings of the War Cabinet at which the Chiefs of Staff are unable to be pr-eeent and will thus forrn a 1ink between the War Cabinet and the Chiefs of Staff (and vice vie rsa). The arrangement s now announced are not intenaed to interfe~e in any way with the position of the Chiefs of t.ho Staffs hs the principal advisers to the Political Heads of the Serv~ces. 10, Downing Street ;·. S ?W<'> l o --------­ 22/4(40 -NOt 24. ULSTER LINEN EXPORTS. Vii th a vievr to increasing ex:oor·ts to foreign countries and especially to the United States of America, the Northern Ireland linen industr~r has formed an :export Group ·to be presided over ~Jy Ml:'• R •. -J . Charlesson; Chairman of the Irish Linen Merchants' Association. 'I'J.1e Group includes representatives of all sections of the Industry and will work in close co-operation v1ith the Department of Overseas Traa.e. It is expected that when he visits Belfast next month Sir Andrew Duncan, President of the Board of Trade, will m~~t the Group and discuss with them a programme. Linen goods are the second largest individual item of British exports to the Unitea. States, and. the Industry is eoncentrating almost the whole of its efforts on trade abroad. DOMINION AND COLONIAL AFFAIRS. 22/L~/40•. -No,. _2~ Q.Q~:_Q}T _'" _F~_RJ~. ____,VICTIMS ReJ:..~~f e_Y-_'trJ..n:?-..~:.~a:.._~a: Tobago. The Government of Trinidad and Tobago is subsc~ibins 1,000 dollars irnmediatel~r f or relief work: amongst B1"i tish Heat Indians who suffered in the fire in Colon on April 13• . The fil"'e ·a_evastated quarters occupied by the British Wes'G Indian comrnunity anc1 it is re:9orted that the great rnaj oriJG~r eif 8 ,ooo and 10 ,ooo ~.1ersons left homeless are of British Indian origin. Further enquiries are being made as to the loss actuall;,r sustained by the British West Indian cornmuni t;y and the estimated cost of relief measures. •• _ ..?--'" " : .-.... The Wnr Office, London:1 3. '.:,-.1. 22nd April9 1940. l\IIIJ_,ITARY APPOINTJ\lENT. The Viar Office announces that His Majesty The King has been pleased to a~prove of the appointment of Colonel (ternpora._ry Brigadier) G.E.M. ' O.B.E. 9 B.A. 9 now Chaplain-in-Chief to the Royal Air ?orcc and Honorary' Chaplain to H.. Tvio Tho King, has n truo Yorkshircmo.n's appr ~ciation of the V'l.lue of hun10ur. He g_uotes a soldiers' prayer which he heard i n J::.rancc during the Grent War. 11Givc me a sense of humc)Ur 9 Lord; Give me the powor to sec a joke; To get some happiness from life, And to pass it on to other folk0 . Born in Yorkshire i> tho Rovd. NI . H. Edwu.rds wus cduco. tcd o. t Ri pon GrsJ11111ar School 8.nd graduo.ted at Queens College, Cambridge , He went to Locds Clergy School for his theological tra ining , and his first mi n istr·y was o.t Bodalo 9 Yorko 9 where he served as a curate undGr Canon Bcresford-Pcirs. 11 SPJ;ES" I l.T SB.QR'I'S. The task of the newsreel representative attached to the :rt. A. J:<1. in Franco is not ec.sy. Ttcrc have been froqucnt 11 all quict11 :periods)> when photographic matorio.l was sca.rcc 9 and there arc many necessary security restrictions. NcwsrGcl men ho.ve shovn: i::i.gonuity and enterprise iE getting pictures of tho wnr in France. But an unkind f ate stepped in and o.lrnost spoiled the scheme of ono JI aftcr he had put in c. good deal of hard work. It was at a ~ime when there had bcGn sone t a l k of 11J;>arachute spios". The c:J.mcranan thought t hat a good picture could be made of Allied precautionary measures. The Provost-Marshal 1 s department agreed to co-opcr,·' te in the filming. A squad of motor-cycle R. A. F. Sccurity Police was detLl. iled to a ct as "supers". The idea vvo..s the o.rrest of a paro.chute spy. Aga in and again the cameramen rehearsed the party . The police dashed along a road on their motor-cycles? and at a sharp 6.. word of command halted and dismountedo Revolvers were drawn from holsters and a ring thrown round a small coppice, in which a "suspicious charactera had been reported. At last every "actor;' was perfect. Now came the moment. for the actual filming•.••..• up dashed the cavalcade of Security Police•••• o •• revolvers in hand. They advanced into the wood...••.• every man acting his part as the cine-camera went into action. Then came the climax! Through the shrubbery, straight towards the police, and the camera 1 there came trotting blithely not a sinister spy but a group of R.A.F. aircraftmen. In vests and running shorts 1 they were out for a cross-country sprint. The comment of the Security Police as they heatedly trooped back to their motor-cycles for yot another "re-take" was not recorded on the sound-track. POLISH AI:r(1'.:8:T Jon; IN ILI1 ... F. SPORTS. Members of tl10 Polish Air Force; training with tho R..A. F. have entered keenly into the sports and gan~s organi~cd at British Air Force Stations. When the Polish airmen first arrivisd in Britain the extent to which they would take to English sport was an unknown quantity. Tho names of Chopin and Paderewski have proclaimed the Polish genius ·in music 9 and thoso of Mickiewicz and Sien1;:iowicz thisir genius in literature; but in sport other nations arc better known than the Poles. The experience of tho last few months at R.A.:?. statiOES whGre Polish Air l"orce personnel are training discloses that thc;:,r are at loast as keen on sport as thei'r British comrades. Th6y havG demonstrated their ability in boxing, and defeated British opponents at several weights. And although rugby~ hockey and cricket are practically unknown to them, Polish airmen have been able to pull their weight in association football and swimrting. \ 7.. SCHNEIDER SPEED BECm~ES A HABIT. Although R.A.F. pilots of Britain's-fighter aircraft fly their _Spitfires and Hurricanes at six-miles-a-minute and over9 they undergo none of the special physical training which was once thought necessary for such high-speed flying. A group of young R.A.Fo fighter pilots, in conversation recently with a War Correspondent attached to the British Air Force in France, were telling of the speeds of modern British aircraft. Said the Correspondent~ "In September 1931 I watched the last of the Schneidc:, r Cup Contests at Rycle. The crowds were spell-bound at the terrific speed attained by the British aircraft as they hurtled around the course.,,, .. It was said that the limits of high speed -of hww:J.j:l a nd mechanical endurarce -had been reached. · And yot 9 to-day~ such spc;cds are common:placcY. The pilots nodded agreement. 0 r was at prep school in those days11 9 said one 1 but I remer:1bsr reading doscriptions of the rigorous training that the rt~A.F~ Schneider team had to undergo. t.r-cntcc1 rr:.thcr lil:c Univcrcity Buc~-t R 'Ci,.; cr'uvrn. .:_.vun :.:;o there Wcls o. r;rcr,t rlu,~l of• t nlk nbou-~ 11J12ck-oli.ts~ c1urinc; stoop 'br:lLkin'.~i ~·.nc1 tJ.J.C w,:::;r n.nc1 tu"-r on thu physique of: tho pilots. Ev ryonc roc;r:.rdv1 thor:i n.Jno3 t n.o rT1.:~]/ulY1on~ "Yet todny thooc hic;h spooc1s nrQ nccoptod b.Y pilots in tho Hurric.~ncs --,nci. J)i tfirc oqu".clr Jnn r"Cs just JXLrt of the dny! c ~rh. re io no qucotion of' sr-oc:L:l ciot~nt; or mcc1icn.1 worl:" su:pcx•vision, nr>r \lous one h0L r much of' cho.ps guttinc 'blctckccl-out1 If' you nrc norn10.lly fj,tsi you sirnply fly nt those hiGh spucc1s nnd th2t' s thn.t. 11 ______......____.,______~__ _... .._..._......._ AIR MINISTRY BULLETIN NOo 586~ 2.Jjit!40 -NO: _38. NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN PJ,T.Y COUNTRY B:GFORE THE MORNING i:=:·::-SPAPERS OF TUESDAY, 23rd APRIL, 1940, OR BROADCAST BEFORE 7 A. Mo ON THAT DATE. APPOINTMENT OF SIR CHARLES CRAV.CN AS CIVIL l:IEMBER roR ------pEV:CLOB1ENT__& J::_RODUC-TI()!IT -­ The Air i.·:inistr;)r announces: Concu:vrently with the arrangements announced toda;sr f ::1r reliev­ing ~ressure on the Chiefs of Staffs Sir Srunuel Hoare, Secretary of State for Air, has invited Sir Charles Craven to join the Air Council as Civil Member for Development and Production. In his new appointr11ent, which will be Yvhole-time 9 Sir Charles Craven will be associated with Air Marshal Sir Wilfred Freeman, the Air Eember for Develonment and Production, "S ir' Charles vvill also be Chairman of the Air Supply Board which will replace the existing Air Council Committee on Supplyo !\\r. E.,JoHo Lemon , Yrhose services were lent to the Air Ministry by the r.ondon, Midland and Scottish Railway in June, 1938, is resuming his office as Vice-Presic1ent of the L. M. s. Orgarlisation~ He is, however, with the consent of his Boarc , accepting a.n invitaticn from the Secretary of State to serve on the Air Supply Board and to assist the Air Ministr;sr from time to time in other ·wa~rs. Mr. Lern.on was originall;sr appointed to organise the Departi.'"11ent of Production, of which he was made Director-General, and to carry through a two· ·year production programme" Both these duties he has performed with marked success and the :programme with which he was charged was in fact realised in advance of the date originally plannec1. It was for this vrork that he was lent to the Air Ministry and now that it is completed he is returninz t '> a task of national importance in the I•• M. So Organisation, :rhe Air Supply Bc·ard will be r esponsible, under the Air Council, for the production of J~eronautical ec:i_uipment · anc·:. supplies, and will be corn.posed o::' Sir Charles Craven (Chairman) , Lord River­dale (De:put~r Chairman) , Air Marshal Sir Wilfred Freeman (Air · Member for Development m--ic1 Production), Air Marshal Sir Christopher Courti1e~r (Air Member for Supply and Organisation) , Sir I:ar old Howitt, Mr. E .. J. H. Lemon, Sir Ch8.Ples Bruce-Gardner and f,iro Linc1say Scott repr'eseDting the Permar1er\t UnJer-Secretary of State. Sir Charles Craven') on taking up his appointment has · disassociated himself :i:'ron1 the Boards of Vickers Limitee.., Vickers Armstrongs Lirnited and all Associatecl Companies and has ceased to take any part in the cond..l1ct of their affairs 0 'Ithe following is issued by 22/4/40 No•. 39 Naval Affairs for such use as the Press may wish to make of it.. GEHM_ANY,...,.._ 1.. .,,S W_ _..._..ARSHIP..u..._ ..._ __CASUALTIES. .~ German warship casualties since the outbreak of war total 24, without including the J.arge number of submarines that have been sunk by Allied action. In the same period Britain has lost 18 warships, including five submarines and the armed merchant cruiser Rawalpindi. , ,tiiliese facts effectively disprove Nazi propaganda stories of cripplihg losses having been inflicted on the British Navy, ~he details of the British losses are these~ , bne capital ship has been lost, out of fifteen such ahips completea. bef'ore the beginning of the war. One aircraft carrier out of seven has been l ost,J No cruisers whatever have been lost.. On the outbrealc of .war Great Britain had sixty-two cruisers com­pleted. One armed merchant cruiser has been sunk.. Ten destro~rers have now been lost out of the 185 destroyers in the British Navy at the outbreak of ware Five British submarines have been lost out of 58 submarines in service at the outbreak of war. Not counting the armed merchant cruiser;. this is a total of 17 warships lost out of 327 completed at the outbl:>eak of war.. Dven if Germany had suffeI'eC.. nc naval losses the vast preponderahce of naval force possessed b:r G::::>eat Eritaj_n over Germany would have scarcely been affected. by these losses" But Germany has suffered losses, while the strengt h of the B~itish Navy is being constantly increased as the result of huge war ship building programmes. Germany's naval losses are as follows. Of the two German battle cruisers, SCHARNHORST is damaged as a result of her encounter> with IL M. s. RCNOVVN (which ship herself rec~ived slight damage), while GNEISEN'AU was re11orted by the Nor­wegians as sunk in Oslo Fiord. Of the three "pocket battleships", the ADMIRAL GRAF SPEE was scuttled off Montevideo after action with the British cruisers EXETER, AJAX., and ACHILLES. The ADrHRAL SCHEER was hit the other day by more than one torpedo from a British submarine. At the outbreak of war Germany had in ser vice 2 heavy cruisers and six Gu; gun cruisers. Of these the heavy cruiser BLUECHER and the 611 gun cruiser KARLSHUHE have been admitted by the German High Cormnana. as sunk. In addition to these adr11issions, one heavy cruiser was hit by torpedoes in December, as was also one 611 gun cruiser. Another 6" gun cruiser was sunk by a British submarine in December. One 611 gun cruiser was sunk by British aircraft at Bergen on April 10th, and another 6°gun cruiser was ht t by a heavy bomb off Bergen. The re­maining 6ir gun cruiser EMDEN has been reported by the Norwegians aa sunk. Germany started the war w]_ th about 45 surface torpedo craf't, of which only 22 were moder n destro~rers. The German High Command stated early in March that 2 dest1,oyers had been lost, :Cight modern German destroyers were destroyed at ~arvik. One was hit by a bomb at Trondheim on April L~th, and another probably hit in the same raid. Germany began the war with about 70 submarines. Her losses in these craft have been very heavy indeed, so that Germany no longer fincLs it possible to maintain a11y C·.:msiderable U-boat activity•. N·or has the German nav~r been tl;l.e only sufferer. Since Germany embarked upon her invasion of Scandinavia 26 transports and supply ships have been sunl{: or scut -t.Jed. T.'en others have been hit by torpedoes ana. probably sunko One has been set on fire by air attack. Four German vessels have been captu::.'ed" BRITISH WARSHIP LOSSES Battleship Aircraft carrier Cruisers Destroyers Submarines SINCI~ SEPTEMBER 3rd, l~..3._. ROYAL OAK COURAGEOUS BLANCHE GIPSY DUCHESS (in collision) GRCNVILLE EXMOUTH DARING HUNTER GLOWWORI