FOREIG:N PRE.SS REVIEW DAILY SURVEY OF WORLD COMMENT ON THE VvAR COMPILED FROM TELEGRAPHIC REPORTS RECEIVED BY THE MINISTRY OF INI'ORl\IATION ..............J:th..J'.fay...................................., 1940 96 No. SWEDENi DUCE IN AGREEMENT 1iVITH KING VICTOR? "It appears that S~gnor Mussolini has decided, vrith the agreement of the !talian Royal Family, to enter the war on Germany's side." This rather surprising statement was made in STOCKHOLi"\IB TIDNINGEN, in an editorial artiole whioh began by stating: "Since the attempt to localise the war in Soa.ndina.via has failed, it is expected that the final struggle will take plaee in the Mediterranean. It is scarcely likely, however, that Britain will. take the initiative. It would be an advantage for the Allies to find a battle :field, but this would be counteracted by the disadvantage of making an enezey of a strongly anned Italy•••••• "Sweden might expect sli~tly leas danger f'or herself if' the war is trans.. .:tarred to the Mediterr8Jlean, but she r.iU.st not sup}:1ose that all danger has passed by, tor Norway is still the se~t of battle~ We note vrith satisfaction the Russe-German statement of the desire to preserve Sweden~s neutrality, but have had no similar assurance from the other side•" Some blame for the Allied •vithdtawal from Non1ay was laid on the Norwegians by the Liberal newspaper GOTEBORGS liAND:Ets -OCH SJOF.AR.rSTIDNINGEN whioh stated: "The Norwegians are defending the North, but Germany has got all she wants. Narvik means little now, ']he retreat 1vms more surprising as the Norwegians had 'begun to be active. They must share the blame, for one harbour and one ae2'0drome oould have made all the difference." An artiflle written by M. SegeI'stedt~ the editor of the GOTEBORGS HANDELS ..OCH SJOF.ARl'STIDNINGEN, stated: "Spiteful people say that Gennany is the t~p dog and the British are beaten, but it is a long way to ~ipperary. Britain works with the phlegm of strength and makes a mess occasionally and must get a geod snaek on the nose. Then, slowly, the animal Btretches its musoles and :rights what is wrong. When the unimaginative Englishmen retire to solid ground., it is not imposing, but it is better i n-.the long run. " The GOTEBCRGSPOSTEN wrote: "It is stated that the principal part of the Ge~ troops in Norway are returning to the South and that Germany has :relatively small forces remaining to hold the !1orm;gian coast against surprises, ''Fer the Allies• the greatest speed is necessary as regards the position in the Mediterranean, where big povrers are bringing pressure on the Balkans, whieb are reaching boiling point. Greece risks seeing Italy using Corfu ta get a strong position in the Archipelago, The Norwegian experiment will be repeated 1t the Allies are equally inattentive in the Mediterranean as in the North Sea•" ICELAND: ALLIES GAINED MORE THAN I.DST. That the Allies havo gained moro thanthey have lost, is the view expressed by the Reykjavik Press, commenting on the No!'l'regian crunpaign. The Icelandic newspapers point to the disablement of the German Fleet and the fact that the Germans ha.ve not secured the Narvik iron-ore route, They express sympathy with Norway, but consider that the .Allies were right aot to sacrifice rnen for small victories as in the lnst war. Mr. Chamberlain's r0c0nt speech in the House of Commons is f avourably reviewed by the majority of the Press. FOREIGN PRESS REVIEW DAILY SURVEY OF WORLD COMMENT ON THE WAR COMPILED FBOM TELEGRAPHIO REPORTS RECEIVED .BY THE MINIS1.'RY OF lNFORM.ATION 96. __.....-....-......?..!.1::..I~~...-................., 1940 No. J.AP~4.N" : WHY DUCE HESITAT".i::S. The question of vrhy Signor i'.:ussolini hesitates to enter the war receives considerable attention in today's Japanese Press. A commentator .-r.rites in the TOKYO NICHI NICHI SHD:IBUN: "Vthat is restraining Italy is not the pressure of the United States so much as developments in Scandinavia. The Germans have occupied Central and Southern Norway but whether this has any significance remains to be seen. The points held by the Germans mey­be sufficient as bases f or air raids on ~ngland or for submarine bases, but in order to secure iron ore from Sweden the Germans' inferiority at Narvik will have to be greatly reinforced. "What Chamberlain means by saying that the British have been defeated but net yet realzy defeated is that the British have cut off iron ore exports from Narvik to Germany. Fundamentally-:l_:t-:Ls_really_lit.t:Le---eoncern to the British what happens to Southern Norway. They sent only a small ..£or~vhen they could have sent a much larger one. There is no d.enying the strategic error vvhich under­estimated the German air force, but there is also the political factor that the , British wa:r operations havebeen influenced by the pollticians. " This commentator also declares: "As the British alY.-ays take pride in the fact that they snatch victory from defeat they have the courage to announce their defeats. "If it is true that Hitler has gone to Oslo to take command in person the Germans_are apparentzy....cou.n.t.ilJ-0n-.~-decisive battle in Norway. Count ~ '--c.ia.no's ,,;pokesma:n __sai.d..-that the Germans by inv-ac1in.g_EngJ..anU-Sly, or ia a series of quiok offenai.vee, at the vita1 points of the Bx-i-ti.sh, French and Dutch Empires. If the plan f'a.ila aM. Ita.~ is s~i:f'ioed., Gennany 'lidll still have Russia to fall back upon. "Hitler can. fail in his maximum objective and still attain a rniniim.un objeotive. Hitler can fail in the offensive and still, his army being intaet and Russia under his control and behind b:j.rn, return to the defensive. But for Mussolini, it is a maximwn objeoti~ve o,r ruin. For him, the failun ot this year1s offensive would leave Italy in no position to fight al~ tlefensive·war." In an editorial article on a possible Russo-British trade a$~~ Journal states: "It is far~ certQ.:l..%1-t.tlat any agreement 'between the...itwo·.,••··~ ~~"t~mSoviet Rltssia nhile she ia ~l.o-iJol.y -_..-o~wlth Ile~ would be b~ne.f'i.oi.a.l to Bri.tish interests. The British also have at this time ' the tacit 60-operation of the U. 8. Government in the blockade Ot Russi~~ .American ships are not allovred to take charters fpr viadivostook, stopping the flow of goods and machinery to the SoViet Union which the r:Joviet Government needs for its industry. "Should the British relax the blockade,and allow the Soviet Government t~ get this machinery and increase their production and thereby increase the amount of goods they have for export, there is every indication that Germany rather than Great Britain would profit," A Stockholm dispatch to the N__ :Yl YORK TIMBS declares: "The German air toree is preparing bases in Norvfay for a double purpose. Firstly, to try to break the blockade by bombing patrol ships and also bombing fleet bases in order to drive the navy to take refuge in British Atlantic ports. The second purpose is to direct an air attack on British harbours and industrial areas, but such an attaek is still thought a dubious n'l;i.litary experiment without bases muoh nearer than Norway. " This correspondent reports that Swedish experts estirnate that Gennany is producing about 1, 200 planes a month, which is more than the Allies. He adds: ".American production is estimated at 1,500 planes a month. 'fhe question is how many the United States can spare for the Allies. In answer to that question may lie the issue of victory or defeat, 11 FOREIGN PRESS REVIEW DAILY SURVEY . OF WORLD COMMENT ON THE WAR COM.PILED FBOM TELEGRAPHIC REPORTS RECEIVED BY THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION No. 96 ?J.t>:...~:~~Y..__............. -.........................., 1940 G-ERi'II.ANY: NAZI IZADE~ WRITERS.' FAIRY TALES... The oampaign suggesting to the German people that Britain and France ate planning aggression in South~Eastern Europe is still in full svnng in the German Press, and typical headlines used are "Western Powers Lookirtg for a new Cdn:f'la­ gration -Alarm Sounded in the :Mediterranean -\iv.ho is to be the New Victim?" and "Neutrals Fear New Aggression by Western Powers -Alarm Caused by British Plans to Er:tend w·ar -Great Excitement in the Balkans." The Yf.ESTDEUTSCRER BEOBACHTER i.-vrote: 11The Western Pmvers are grazing on one theatre of war after another in the hope of obtaining success somewhere. At first it was Czechoslovakia that was to be the bastion 'to stop Hitler' -then it was Poland, then Finland, then Nori:.,..ay. Now it is the turn of' -tl\e ~_. In similar, but somewhat more exaggerated veinr-the-WESTF.AELISCHE -LANDES­ZEITUNG declared: 11 Some say that the English beast of prey has again crouched for a spring to the South-East, in order to throw theinrch of war arnong peoples there. Others think that the whole thing may be a manoeuvre of the Western Powers t.o divert attention from plans in quite another part of Europe. 11 After .:his statement, which seems to sug:;est that Germany is feeling less confident about Italy, the WESTF.JW;LIS.cHE LANDESZSITUNG published a mes~age from its Rome correspondent headlined "Italy Ready-£-or-En&pg&t-.i:c-Defence". The message declared: '"I'.Qe -c.J..earer the whole plan of alarm in the Mediterranean be­ ·-eomes, the more the impression prevails in Rome that the plutocrats are not only aiming at an attempted diversion, but are also trying to put in~g~...,. on Italy to give a binding_ rlaola.ration of neutrality. The Italian Press is, at the moment1 tacitU!'I4 11 Fantastic German claims about the sin.kings o£ British warships give rise. 't.¢ flights of fancy on the part of Gerrnan leader >vriters. The BERLINER LOKAL ANZEIGER wrote: "A new epoch in the history of war has begun, and Germany is writing the nevi chapter. The conse\~uences are very serious for England, whi~h is practically dependent on the superiority of its flPet. If England can be s~ struck at its vital nerve -its Fleet -that it no longer dares to show or use this instrument of power, then the ne-r.r century, with the new weapons and the new strategy emerges as ~ destroyer of the English vampire and the English system of enslavement of the peoples, "Great things are impending :ind bold prospects are opening. We shaJ.l experience still more in this conflict. We are, however, today filled with joy that our air fighters strike into the ranks of the fleeing Britons, send even the heaviest ships, with direct hi t s, to the bottom of the sea, annihilate destroyers and sink submarines." Concluding on an almost hysterical note, the article stated: "This end of the enemy's attem?t t o pick a quarrel vcith the German armed forces, is a promising starv for us, for our arms and our struggle for freedom, and is also a shameful end for the braggarts in London -for the thin-lipped lords and sihful plutocrats who blindly drive the nations to the battle~field in order to maintain their business and their power, They will come t o shame. The pirate State, squatting on its island with its many ships built ·with the profits of an exploited world, has had its day." FOREIGN PRESS REVIEW DAILY SURVEY OF WORLD COMMENT ON THE WAR COMPILED FROM TELEGRAPHIC REPORTS RECEIVED BY THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION 96 7th May ....................................................................., 1940 No. U.S.S.R: SCAPA FLOW UNTENABLE ALLEGATION. 'T'he allegation that Scapa Flow has been rendered untenable fr:llowing the Germans' partial occupation of Norway, was made in TRUD, the Trade Union organ. Entitled "English Defeat in Nor\vay", the article stated: "England first vi.elated NoI'\'legian neutrality in the Altmark case and again by mining Norwegian territorial waters. This led to the German reply. England has now been shown to be inoapable of giving Norway any real help and has had to evacuate~ "The German occupation of Norway threatens Scapa Flow.. This is serious for Britain, the keystone of whose policy is the maintenance of her sea power." The article went on to declare that the British decision to abandon Norway was also "influenced by a certain activity orj. the part of Italy, and her preparations to come out against England. "SUch reports may, of course, be premature and deliberately put out, either to fi-ighten the British Government or as a smoke-screen to cover the British defeat in Nol"'.'fay. In any case, the British Gcve:rnm3nt has ordered its shipping out of the Mediterranean and large Allied naval forces are being concentrated at Alexandria. "The w.ithdrawal of English forces from Norvvay constitutes a serious defeat for England and has necessitated a general reshui'fle of her naval dispositions as Soapa Flow is no longer tenable as a large naval lrase." ROUM.ANIA: PRAISE FOR UR. CHJ\i;ffiERLAIN. Praise for Mr. Chamberlain's recent statement in the House of Commons, .~·a reference to a possible "small defeatist group" in Britain,.. are....cont~~: Roumanian Press. I / I Referring to the Prime il.finister' s speech JURHALUL stated that it ~one of "extraordinary sincerity" and added: "The Norwegian campaign caused s~:..:tous German losses and won sympathy for the Allies." A. leading article in SEMNALUL declared that there was a small ~featist g:roup in Britain and France representing the "so-called Munich spirit".'. This journal added: "Germany with the help of Italian intervention may att..,mpt to e:xploit the depression following the Norwegian failure to bring the defeatists t<' power, but the alternative effect may be victory for the intransigeants." An article in RO~IANIA referring to Hungaro-Roumanian relations, asserted: "There exists a real Hungarian sympathy f or Roumania. The friendly attitude of the Hungarian Press towards Gennany does not correspond with public opinion. 11 The naval importance of South Africa and the military impor tance of Egypt were referred to in an article i n lIT'ITVERSUL, and a second article noted reported Italian interest in maintaining..:Oalkan peace. FOREIGN PRESS REVIEW DAILY SURVEY OF WORLD COMMENT ON THE WAR COMPILED FROM TELEGRAPHIC REPORTS RECEIVED BY THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION 7th May . ..................................................................., 1940 No. SWITZERLAND: "NOTHING EXTBACRDIN1\HY" IN ALLIES' WITHDRAWAL. Those who characterise the ...-rl thdraual of British troops from parts of Nerway as something in the nature of a ma jor defeat for the Allies are being unduly pessimistic, for the final outcome of the nar is not affected. This is the key-note of comment in t oday' s 'l'RIBUNE DE GEifu'VB, ·which ·writes: "There is nothing extraordinary that an underta..king of the nature of the Norviegian campaign should suffer a check. It is necessary to guard equally against excessive-optimism and deep discouragement~ remembering that if men do not achieve miracles there are nevertheles_s. incredible changes of luck, and the conduct of war does not obey hard and fast rules. " Adopting a parallel view the NATIONALZEITUNG~ the BasJ.e Radical Democratic newspaper, declares: 11 The net ·result of the retrea.t -of the Allies from Norway is by no means disastrous. It is the kind of reverse that may happen in any war. There is however a more serious psychologieal effect, namely the impression of inferior· military skill. This does not apply to the troops of British and Freneh battalirms landed north and. south of Trondhjem. They fought bravely and well. The lack f'f skill is to be sought in the military leadership. 11 Criticism ai:---the...J3r.iti.sh Goverrunent is contained in~LE PEOPLE, the Soc.ia.li.st organ. An article by the foreign editor of this paper states: "The first importallt reverse has re-awakened doubts as to the Br itish Government's real capacity to deal with the situation. It is anxiously asl<:ed whether the men who two years a.go·· -believed in Hitler' s pci.cifism and. today t hiYL'k they can appease l';:ussolini are capable of directing.. a-...str..uggle.-..thJh.io!J:s::tanc.e U::J.d......,i:~:-1~-~~--uow f.ully realised. "'i,-e think the _'\.llied countries are approaching the cross-roads. Can they neutralise the internal forces 1-;hich have prevented their recognising that the enerey is Fascism -not in the ideolos ica.l but in the political and military aspect." HOLLAl'ID: ~IMPORTANCE OF AIR POWER, 'I'he importance of air power •ms discussed by the NIEUi'iE ROTTERDPJ~SCHE COURANT, This Liberal nevrspa:per ~ examining the J''.oruegian campaign, drew the conclusion that though "a fleet Ylithout superiority in the air loses much if not all of its effect in an attack on fortified positions on land11 yet the air arm "is powerless against ships when far from its ovm bases and. confronted by at least equal air forces. 11 Dealing i;;ith the recent arrests i n Holland the UTRBCHTSEIEU:TSBLA.D gave a sketch of Dr. Rost van Toru1ingen as 1'i:he most dangerous fie;ure in his party -a man of undeniable gifts but unba.lo.nced, Mus sert is really a tame citizen and. the representative of drawing-room NazisP~ The goverrunent has sho¥m knowledge of men in leaving him alone.u 7/5/40 -No.l NAZI WIRE-TAPPING CLAH1. (Not to b~__9Eo~s a Foreign Office statement). The reports in today's Berlin newspapers of a teJ.ephone conversation betvrnen MP. Charnberlu i.n and 11/i. Reynaud on April 30 Yirhich had been tapped.9 are described in official circles in London as being fantastic. FOREIGN OFFICE NEWS DEPARTL1ENT. - ]/5/40 -No.•__g_. FHENCH OFFICIAL COMNUNI QUE. (MORNING). The follmving officio.l cornnruniq_ue was issued this morning from French G.H.. Q.; A QUIET DAY ON THE WHOLE. A PATROL ENCOUNTER TO THE EAST OF THE MOSELLE ENDED TO OUR ADVANTAGE. PRESS NOTICE. 7/5/40. -No, 3!0 LIST OF SIN.KINGS. Mercantile Losses, a_ue to enemy action, for week ending Sunday/Monday (midnight) 28/29th April.9 1940: ­ Tonnage. British 4 6,689 Allied 1 1,458 Neutral 2 298 Totals 7 8,445 The British tonnage lost was rather less than one third of the average weekly tonnage loss for the 34 weeks ending midnight 28/29th April, 1940. German Ships, Captu~ed2 Sur1k,etc.: ­ According to reports from Rotterdam, the German motor ship ROBERT LEY, 27,288 tons, was sunk in the Skagerrak d1U'ing night of April 12th/13th, also the SAYN, 2,321 tons and another unnamed ship are reported to have been sunk near Delfazil. German Mer'Cantile tcnnage definitely accounted for as captured~ sunk or scuttled nmv amounts to 45L~,ooo tons. In addition, it is estimated that a furth~r 30 unidentified ships of approximately 150,000 tons have been sunk by Allied submarines, mines or ~ircraft. The total German loss of Merchant tonnage (including transports and supply ships) must be over 600,000 gross tons, of' which about one half, or 300,000 tons, has been lost since 1st April" Their total loss from war causes represents about 15 per cent of their :pre-war tonnage. Convoys.. Up to 1Ned..nesday.9 1st May .9 19 ,098 British, Allied and neutral ships had been convoyed in British convoys with a loss of 31 ships, being a loss r atio of one in 616. Neutral ships convoyed numbered 2, 912, with a loss of 3, or one in 970. Frenchcon~cy-s up to the ~ame date have escorted a f'urther 3,457 ships with a loss of 7 ships. No neutral ships have been lost in French convoys. · British and French convoys have therefore convoyed, since the war began.9 22,555 ships with a loss ratio of 1 in 594. ADMIRALTY, S. W. 1 7/5/40 -No.4. CANADIAN BACON EXPORTS. Almost Double Last Year's Figul:'es. As was expected, Canadian e.:;~ports of bacon and hams to the United Kingdom increasea_ very materiall;y during the first three months of 1940 as compared with the same period of 1939. March exports to this country, totalling 29,377~000 pounds, were 10.3 million pounds greater than the exports in February 1940, and were 13.2 million pounds greater than the exports in March a year ago. For the first three months of 1940 exports to the United Kingdom amounted_ to 84. O million pounds as compared with e.:;::ports of Lj.3. 3 million pounds in the corresponding period of 1939. Canada is thus fulf~:_lling the agreement entered into with .the United Kingdom last autumn under the terms of which up to 5,600,000 pounds per vveek were to be shipped. Further evidence that Canada has runple supplies of pork products are shown by the cold storage statistics. on April 1, 1940, there were 60.9 million pounds of pork in cold storage as compared with 34.5 million pounds on April 1, 1939. In spite of the heavy ship­ments to the United Kingdom, pork stocks have continued to increase. DOMINION & CQJ;,._ONIA;L AF_FAIRS e 7/5/40 RECORD CANADI.AN GRAIN STOCKS The Dominion Bureau of Statistics at Ottawa estimated the tot al of wheat stocks in Ganada on March 3fust at 371,974,792 bushels~ representing an increase of appro:id.nB.tely 171,000?000 bushels when compared with the revised total of 200,976,013 bushels for March 31, 1939. The presen~ stocks of Canadian wheat have, therefore, attained record px•oportions , surpassing the previously high figure of 314 9 l~.80,237 bushels recorded in 1933.. In addition to the total stocks of Canadian wheat in Canada on March 31, 1940, there were 22,288,197 bushels of Canadian wheat in store in the United States, in contrast to 1 , 828,346 bushels in United States positions on March 31 , 1939~ Stocks of wheat on f arms including seed supplies amounted to 81,156,000 bushels at March 31, 1940, re­presenting an increase of' almost 20 million bushels over the stocks on f arms a year ago .. Wheat in store or in transit j_n c:;.anada, ot her than on farms, amounted to 290,818 1792 bushels at March 31, this year, as compared with 139,756~013 bushels in the same positions on March 31, last year" ...,----000-----­COLONIAL•..... AFFAIRS. ___ DOMINION,.,...... '""_..~ & ....-. ."(;. ~... -~rllo-..-,_,. .-.:-•.., ~-·""T'....:..--.•• ~ l~.~. Bulletin No. -f?IB...-· "NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN ANY cou;;·TR~ ;;;;~~­THE MORNING NEWSPAPERS ·oF MAY STH, .1940 OR BROADCAST BEFORE 7 A.Mp ON THAT DATE. 1~ ROYAL AIR FOHCE AWARDS N0.26. The King has been graciously pleased to approve of' the undermentioned awards in r ecognition of gallantry displayed in f'lying operations against the enemy:­ AWARDED THE DIS11I NGUISHED I11LYING CROSS. Acting Flight Lieutenant Gareth Thomas Butler Clayt.on. In April, 1940, this officer was the leader of' a sub­f'ormation undertaking bombing operations against Stavanger aerodrome. He pressed home his attaek at a low altitude in the face of heavy anti-aircraf t fire and attacks by enemy fighters and succeeded in dropping his bombs among a number of German air­craf't. On the return flight he was a ttacked by a Messerschmitt fighter for sixty-five minutes and it was only by his determination, skill and courage that he managed to bring his aircraft safely to his base. Flight Lieutenant Clayton has done magnificent work since the outbreak of the war and his leadership and courage have always been of the highest orderc AWARDED THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING MEDAL. Corporal Leonard YEOMANS. In April, 1940, this airman was air gunner of an air­araf't engaged in bombing operations against Stavanger aerodrome~ On the return flight his aircraft was attacked for si.xty•f'ive minutes by Messerschmitt fighters but by his skill in the handling of his gun, and his accurate instructions to the pilot when to take avoiding action, he was to a grea t extent responsible for the safe return of his aircraft~ Throughout t he combat Corporal Yeomans showed great coolness and courage. Aircraftman, 2nd Cl ass, John Richard MAYOR. Iri April, 19405 this airman was air gunner in one of a formation of' three aircraft o.tt8~f...rtO;E;RS . Wales, in Novenilier, 19140 He vvas educated at Bedford9 Ch:Lchester and Rossall Schoolo He became a pupil pilot in the RoA .. F., in January, 19369 and was commissioned as an act1.ng P:i.lot Offj_cer two n1onths later" He was promoted acting Fli ght Lieutenant the clay after war broke out; and joined the R~AoFa in June~ 19360 He was a compos i to_r .in civil l:Lfe., Before trds he ws.s a hanlnge hand.., P:ress ::.1.nr'.. ~)ublicity Branch~ Air Minis try9 King Charles Street, Whitehall, S0Wol0 7t"tl May.:, _1_9_4_0-'··--~N-~~~ ?· 218 MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE_id:!_FOUNCbl\i:CI'rI1 Mb.KING MORE OF· OUR H.aY Although the hay crop of England and ·7a1es in an average year is worth £35 -£40 million at current prices, we could make more of it, and it is now of vital importance that we should. We could increase the total yield by the wise use of fertilisers and we could improve its quality by using good grass mixtures. It is late in the day for such measures where this year's crop is concerned, but much can be done by skilful technique in hay-making. Quick wilting, followed by drying, is desirable, but too long exposure to a strong sun will also do considerable harm to the crop. The earlier it is cut, the richer the hay will be in protein and minerals, and so every farmer should plan to cut at least some of his grass earlier than usual. The crop will be highter, but smaller amounts of the hay will be needed for the nain tenance ration dnd it will save oilcalce in the production ration. 1 l1hese and other useful hints on such matters as baling in the field, cocking and tripoding have been embodied in a Ministry of Agriculture "Growmore'1 leaflet, No. 35. Single copies are free on application to the Ministry at 10, Whitehall Place, S.W.l. 7TH MAY, 1940. NO. 8. MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE WE~KLY NEWS SERVICE, N0.35, ROLL OUT THE VHREWORM. ----~--~-~--~------­ · As v-ms to be expected, wireworm, leatherjackets and slugs are busy on some of our newly ploughed grassland and in places are causing considerable damage. Rolling and harrowing are the most practicable antidote at this stage. It will consolidate the ground and bring the wireworms to the top, where the rooks will deal with them. One rolling may not be sufficient, but even if it has to be done four or five times it will be worth whilee Harrowing will also expose these pests to their-enemies. In particularly bad cases, where the crop threatens to be very thin indeed, it is not too late to patch with barley or linseed. x x x x Investigation into -the .-com_posit~on of hay on various West Country farms, by Messrs. A.'vV . Ling and E.L. Smith of' lristol University, 'has produced some interesting results. It has long been realised that hay varies very considerably in its nutritive value; undoubtedly many of the problems arising from the feeding of animals may be attributed to the poor nutritive value of some of the hay usedo About 3,000 samples from five different counties were examined and these were some of the c:onclusions reached. The mineral status (i.e. deficiencies in lime, phosphates and possibly po tash) of each of the hay samples examined was well below the animal's requirements, especially in lime and phosphoric acid. The thirty-one almost wholly dairy farms visited -Here producing hay definitely low in "phosphates. 11 This may be accounted for by the extensive use of farmyard manure on the pastures and the selling off from the farm of phosphates in the form of milk and the bones of young stock. 1 • . Greater use of the Lnnd Pertility Scheme is needed. Except on the heavier types of soil, the -L)otash content of the hays examined was.low. Until mineral deficiencies are remedied by judicious use of fertilisers hay cannot contribute effectively to meet the full nutritional requirements of the animals. The effect of management on the composition of hay is discussed. Earlier cutting of grass is desirable, but also valuable animal foodstuff is lost • not only by undue ex~osure to the weather but also by too much handling and knocking about in the -)recess of hay-making. The less the hay is handled after cutting, consistent with good and uniform drying, the better. A connection was traced between the low nutritive value of hay and the incidence of some ailments in livestock. x x x x x x A Luxury That Must Go. Sucking lambs have enjoyed a special price of l/5d. per lb. from 8th January to 30th April and a special price, on a declining scale, has been guaranteed until 3rd June. But suckinz lambs are a delicacy which we certainly cannot afford to encourage with a special ·_::irice in wartime; they are one of the luxuries that must disappear from the gourmand's table. They would have disa-:;rpeared already had not the Government been anxious to avoid loss to farmers who had ma•5-e arrangements for their production prior to the war. When the concession was first announced last November farmers were warned that it was for the -9resent season only. The -9roducers are making claims f'or adjustments in the prices of sheep and lambs generally, and these will be caref'ully considered. Sucking lamb ·Nill not be in a special category next season. x x x x x x 2. LAND GIRLS WANTED 1:<10R l•'ORESTRY. The Women's Land Army has al:eeady supplied a considerable number of women for forestry wo:ck w.1der the Forestry Commission, but more are wanted. Recent events have made forestry work even mo:ce important and the home grown timber industry is taking its place beside agriculture in the essential war effort of the nation. women are needed in the following branches of forestry work -(1) the planting and cultivation of young trees, (2) the felling, lopping and trimming of timber into pit props and (3) the measurement of timber after it has been hewn. The first two kinds of work in particular require a otrong physique. ' The girls, who work in gangs, spend the day in the forests, taking with them a sandwich lunch, and only return to their camp or hostel in time for the evening meal. Lil~e other Land Army workers oveP 18 they are guaranteed a minimum wage of 28/-a week. The third branch of forestry in which members of the Women's Land Army are helping -timber measuring -is intended for women with a good general education reaching secondary school standard, and some aptitude for figures. The work consists mainly of calculating and checking quantities of timber before •and after it ·is sawn up~ After a short Government training, given at the l"orestry Commission's Training Centre in the Forest of Dean, the volunteers are placed in employment in couples at a starting wage of £2 per vveek, out of which, like the other foresters, they have to pay for their billet. The demand for timber measurers and for forestry workers exceeds the supply. Women who have the necessary qualifications can expect permanent employment :Z'or the duration of the war and are advised to apply immediately to their Women's Land Army County Committee, whose address may be obtained from any Employment Exchange, or through the Women's Land Army Headquarters, Balcombe Place, Balcombe~ Sussex. x x x x x 3. LOOK TO Th~ BINDER o_ Those who intend to buy new binders this yea~ should place their orders without delay. In fact, already it is late in the day for ordering types that have to be imported and are subject to the inevitable war-time ship.--:~ing delays" As to binders already in service, they also should be given "a look over" as soon as possible, for there is always the danger of delay in getting spare parts, even in peace time. After inspecting the canvasses, slats and straps and checking up the knife and alignment of fingers j_n the cutter bar, examine the driving chain and back circle chaino These chain$ stretch and eventually work on the tips of the sprocket teeth0 In this position they are liable to jump or slip or break the sprocketo The only remedy is a new chain. Examine the dog and spring on the trip mechanism and replace the dog if at all worno It will save time and twine later on. In old binders the lifting get:c of the drive wheel becomes worn and the pinion on one side or other may slip on the rack, putting the axle out of alignmento I n this position the chain will not stay put; a new set of racks and pinions is needed., They can be fitted by running the binder·, on the transport, over a hole. After disconnecting the driving chain, lower the main wheel until it falls out of the bindero New pinions can then be fitted to the axle and new racks to the frameo New parts should be fitted in the knotter as soon as signs of wear appear. x x x x WHEN _RQ.Q_I.ZS _f:\.~___J'.Q9.. MANY • May the 12th is the recognised day f or rook shooting to begin. By now the young roolrn are l eaving the nests and present a target for the man vvi th ri:fle or guno In some parts of the country t he rooks have been allowed to become so numerous that they do a great deal of damage to farm crops and the county war agricultural executive committees have now been given powers to require the owner of a rookery to reduce the number of rooks. If he does not comply, the committee can authorise any person to go into the rookery and do what is necessary. This Order has been made in the interest of food production. Rcoks in reasonable numbers can do good, especially when they feed on wire worms, leatherjackets and other pests which threaten newly ploughed land. In that "vay they help the food production campaign; but there are districts where there are too many rooks and the good that they do is out·vreighed by the toll they take of seed gr ain and corn at harvest time. There should be no indiscriminate slaughtering of rooks, and the compulsory powers which the committees have apply "where rooks in any rookery are in their opinion so numerous as to cause, or to be lil<:ely to cause, injury to crops1~ x x x x x 5. 7/_5/Ji.O -Jfo ~.3.. Sir Bc.sil Brooke~ the Northern Irelnna. Minister of Agriculture, who ho.s been in London since Frido.y, returns to Northern Irelo..na. to-o.c.y. Th.is morning he so..v1 Lord Wooltons Minister of Foods end discussed with him generally the work: of :rooa. production in Northern Ireland in relation to the nntionnl Yia r effort. Uy to the present Northern Irelnna. hn.s ploughed an ndditional 260, 000 e.cres of grnss l t1nd, nenrly 80 :per cent more than its quotn~ All its .food resoui.,ces beyoncl local rationing re'.!Uirements, especially b ncon, eggs nnd livestock, ~re devoted to the needs of the rest of the United Kingdom. DOMINION Cc COLONIAL ~FAIRS. CJJ:TADA 'S SHIP-BUII,DIJ1G PROG~MI~. Work Proc_§edinr; . A-po..ce. Cenc.~do. 's ship construction progrnrmne is proceeding vrell ahead of schedule. At 15 shi:qyo.1"o;s along the coo.sts o..nd inlana. waters, wo:r>k continues drq end nir;ht. The results obtcined to d['.te hRve ~roved esyecially pleasing to the Dominion Officic.ls su:9ervising the work. They re:?ort that nl[>~1Y shipyard employees h['.ve extended themselves to speed the construction works and officers of the British Adi~iralty, for whom some of the ships are destined, o..lso ex::n:"ess gro.tifica­ tion e.t the r['..pidi ty with which the work is progressing. A variety of plants throughout the Dominion are now tnrking at capacity on shi~yRrd orders r anging from rnw materials nnd semi-finished articles in steel, bronze, c.nd timber to proc.'tucts like boilers, engines, :pu.rn::_Js ~ co.oles o.nd other equipment. At present some L~,000 men o.re engc,ged in the uorl{, ru1d their numbers will shortly l)e more than doubled. The present two ye2.l" ::_:>rogrnmme co.lls for the construction of ovet.' 100 vessels for v2.rious ne.vnl and air foroe ;Jur~oses, including 64 patrol shiys nnd 26 minesweepers. The construction . of some of' these l arger ships is f t>.r advc.nced. They will be delivered this year und others in 1941. The vessels on which work is now uncLer wa~r are required for the defence of coast al waters, for gener~l service with the Royal Canaa.ie.n Navy, for the Royal Navy~ e.ne. as service boats for the Royal Cane.di em Air Force. In short, the ship-building :programme forms part of, ru1.d. is co-ordirn.3.ted with the a.evelo:pment of the naval, military and e.ir plans for the deflence of the Dominion and the :&-npire. DOMINION & COLONIA_~_AFFAIRS. D:IPOR'l' LICENSING-j)EPARTi,!EN'l'. _ .......,.,..~·---..--.----···---·-----·· • R•... --·--·---...· -­ Under the Ira:'_)ort of Gox1s (Prohibition )(lfoo 18) Order, 1940, Chromiur11 Compounds have been added Lo the classes .:rf goods which may lJe impor·ted only under licence issued by the Board of Trade. The Order covers not •Jnly such compounds as chromiun1 o.cetate, chromiur11 sulphate, chromic acid and chrome norc1-a~1t s, etc. 9 but also such substances as chromates and bichrorn.ateso The Order Hill come into :force Jn the 10th hlay, 1940, but goods of the kinds cover ed hy the Order uhich are proved to the satisfaction Jf the Cu.stoms authorities to have been despatched to ths United Xi:Lzdom befors that date will not require: a licenc(:;,, Ir11por·tcrs are vvarned that they should not arrange ror any other go0ds covered by the Order to be sent for•ward t o this c ountry until they have obtained a licence~ Applications f'J1' licenc :;;s shculd -oe addresssd t ·'J the Import Licensing Departi~ .ent, 25 9 Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, Landon, w.c.2D Pormc ·Jn which the applic­ations should be uac1e ar.:. o·btainable frora the Iri1port Licensing Departr.1ent or from the Offices of I-I. IL Collectors of Customs and Excise c Import Licensi ng Departi~1ent" Board of Trade, 25 y Southa1~1pton BuiJ.C~ings , Chancery l·Rne s Lond0~1, -.-v.1 Co 2o 7th !Jay, 1940. 115/i!.ttO No o 13 • MYROBALA.NS AND TANNI~XTRACT OF CHESTNUT. 1• At the request of the Ministry of Supply the Board o:f Trade have issued an Order• 1 the Import of Goods (Prohibition) (No~i7) Order, 1940, adding the following goods to the list of those subject to the import licensing regulationso Myrobalans o Tanning extract of chestnut. 2. The Order will come into operation oh 10th lVIay, 1940' but goods covered by the Order, which are proved to the satis:faction of the Customs Authorities t o h~ve been despatched to the United Kingdom be:Lore the Order came irito force will not re quire a lj_c;ence o 3. With a view to facilitating supplies, equalising prices, and securing the equitable distribution 9f certain tanning materials a purchasing pool is being established, and the object of this Order is t o ensure that the two tanning materials above referred to should reach the pool orl. importation into this countryo 4. Importers are warned that th_ey should not . arrange to ship until they have obtained a l.icence or ascertained.. definitely that a licence will be gr antedo · 5· Directions for obtaini!!£'.......Jd..£~~~o (i) Licences will be issued by the Import' Licensing Department of the Board of' Trade on the recommendation of' the Ministry of Supplyo (ii) Application for-1I11P.£~'...".~.J-~c~_rl£~.§_lg_us1;_ ._53._g_cordingly be submitted.~~1L.sl~..:ltc;_§i1.~_dj. :r.~c Ll.Q._~he Leather Cont£.Qk~_1_$to ~J2l£!!12.§ 8 tree_t....t. LondonL so&.~+..2.. Application forms may be obtained from the Import Licensing Department, Board of Trade? 257 Southampton Buildings,Chancery Lane, London, vVoC "2 o, and the offices of HeMo Collector of Customs and ExciseQ The direction at tJi~.§.§.__.Q.,f t~h.J2.l2.1:b_cation ­Form that it should be forwarded to the Import L~.c-~~iiif~·a:i:,-qi1~_t§.. not2PPlicable. (iii) After an application has been examined at the Leather Control it will be passed to the Import Licensing Department who in approved cases will issue and send the licence direct to the applicanto (iv) It will greatly expedite the issue of licences if importers will state on the Application Form (a) the maximum coiofo value of each item, (b) the maxim1Jrn quantity of each i tern expressed in those units which will subse~uently be quoted on the Customs Entry, (cj the actual consignor (not his agent ih the United Kingdom). It is essential that each application should refer to only one consignor and one country of consignment, but sub je.ct to this it i;ia.y refer to any number of consignments which ar~ ­expected to arrive within th~ three months' validity of the licence. .. (v) Licences will be issued in the naine of · the · · actual importer only. · · For ._this purpose ·. the importer is deemed to .qe the, owner ·or· ·Qther person f'or -the time being possessed of, n~:> benef'icially-interested iri, the goods at and from the· time of the~r. importation until they are· . deli~ered out of the charge of ~he · Of'ficers of Customs and Excise. . ,. (iv) Importers in ·doubt whether or not·. goods need an 1niport L:'...cence or are iiable to· du-ty, · are advised to apply to the nearest office of a Collector of Cus.tqms and· Excise. . :: · · 6,. Importers req_uiri_ng . further inf'ormati.on _: a:re '>::., advised to consult the C_ontrol-who will. be pp.e.p:ared to given information and advice. .. . ,. · ; ·' .. . ·~ ' .. :, . ! . ~-.\ ~ ·,. : ... ... :... :. • :. I • •.,·-··4•.. Import Licensing--Department, B0 ard _of' Trade, .· · 25, southarripton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.2. 7th May, 1940. 2.. AIR MINISTRY BULLETIN NO :,__~!:±J_o_ 7/5/40. -No. 14. BOful~.~ILI!/.8__ SAVED FROM DISASTER (Not to be quoted as an Ail" !'inistry Announcement) Skill and resource of a navigator saved a British bomber from disaster when its :r:>ilot, severely wounded by anti-aircraft fire, almost lost control while flying 200 feet above the watero The craw of this British aircr2ft, a Handley-Page Hampden, was engaged on night reconnaissance off the Norwegian coast when they r2n into heavy opposition from enew batteries. The bomber was hit several times ·and one shell, striking the por·t side of the cocl<:pit, seriously wounded the pilot~ Shell splinters ~lso put the inter­communication s~t out of action9 making it impossible for the pilot to tell his navigator whet had happenedo In great pain and loe~ng bl ood rapidly, the pilot strove to keep the aircraft under controla The err•atic movements of the bomber attracted the attention of the navigator, who was also second piloto Making his way with great difficulty to the cockpit, he found the pilot on tLe verge of collapse, and the aircraft barely a hun.dr<:c_ feet above the water. The navigator got the aircraft under partial control, unstrapped the pilot and released himffrom his seat. Then, leaving the aircraft t o look after itself for a few seconds, he half dragged the pilot tonards the rear of the aircraft. Here they were joined by the observer i.:vho began first aid treatment, while the navigator, scrambling back into the pilot's seat, resumed control just as a range of high mountains loomed aheado While the observer tencled the wounded pilot and stepped dangerous loss of blood, the navigator flew the bomber home safely tn its base L~OO miles across the North Sea. AIR AFFAIRS ++++++++ .A.M·. BULLETIN NO~ 64Q., URGENT NEWS,. li0.L' ·ro BE Pl/BLISHED IN ANY COUl-PIRY BEFOHE 'l'Hli MORNING NEWSPAPERS OF Y@SNESDAY 8TH MA~ ~~1:f~ OR BROADCAST BEFORE 7 Ao Mo ON THAT j)A';l'~,, . ROYAL AIR FORCE AWARDS NOo 27. The King has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards:­ Awarded the Di.stinguished Flying Cross. Squadron Leader Charles Eric St.John BEAMISH0 260243 Flight Lieutenant Christopher Dermot Salmond SMITH.. 332870 Flying Officer Desmond Frederick Burt SHEEN.· 39474. Flying Officer John Patrick Stracey SMYTH. 37430. Pilot Officer Douglas Dennison WEIGHTMAN. 41084~ Pilot Officer David Alexander WILLIS. 403310 Awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal. Sergeant John Anthony Mavvson REID. 740945. Leading Aircraftman J ohn Edward :t-.TEVVBY. 543303., Leading Aircraftman Arthur Henry VVEBSTER. 524040. The above awards arc for gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations. One of these officers is decorated for his personal leader­ ship on offensive patrols over the North Sea and in patrols co-opera­ ting with searchlights. He has set a very high example to his squadron. Another officer led his section of three aircraft against a considerably superior number of enemy aircraft, forced one into the sea and inflicted damage on another. Later he led a section of two aircraft against seven of the enemy and9 although wounded in the leg and ear, he continued the attack. One pilot on patrol over the North Sea attacked two Dornier 18 Flying Boats. One was considerably damaged and unlikely to have reached its base. A leaflet raid over Berlin gave another officer his oppor­ tunity which led to an award. Both his wireless operators collapsed, owing to the altitude at which the aircraft was flying. He dragged them to his cabin, afterwards baling out leaflets until he in turn collapsed. A Leading Aircraftman who is decorated vvas rear gunner of tho aircraft which attacked the Dorniers. He manipulated his turr•et with great skill and determination, displaying courage of a high order. P:;:17ss nnd PUblicity Brane.h, Air Ministry,King Charles Street, Vllhitehall, s.W.1. 7th May, 1940. 2. NOTES ON CAREERSo ~1!,?-dron Leader Beamish was born in Jun0, 1908, at Dunmanway1County Cor~ , and educated at Coleraine Academy and by private tutor-0 Ho entered the R.AoF9 College, Cramv-ell, as a cadet fn 19260 He received his commission as Pilot Officer in 1927, and in 1936, as a Flight Lieutenant, was placed on tho half-pay list in order that ho J:ii.ight accompany an English Rugby team to tho Argentine. After sorvicG in Chj.na with H.M.S. Hermes he was promotod Squadron IJeadot> in 1937~ In 1939 ho completed a course at thu Staff College and was ~iliployed at the Air Ministry when war broke out~ Flight Lieutenant Salmond Smith was born in September, 1916~ at Bruton and educated at Bradfield College. He entered the RoAoF~ College, Cranwell, as a cadet in 1934 and received his commission as a Pilot Officer in 1936. He became a Flight Lieutenant only three months ago,. £1,ying Officer Sheen is an l\.ustralian and was born at Sydney i n October, 1917. He became an air cadet in the R.. A.A~F, in Jam1ary, 1936, and was given his commission as a Pilot Officer in 1937" He '.'Vas promoted Flying Officer in 1938* Flying Officer Smyth was born at Exmouth in September, 1911; and educated at Tonbridge School. He joined the R.A.Fo in October, 1935, and was promoted Flying Officer in 1938. Pilot Officer Weightman was born at Edinburgh in October, 1912, and educated at George Heriot's School, Edinburgh. He was a pupil pilot of the R.. A.F. from June to August, 1938, and was given his cormnissi:.m at the completion of his term. He was mentioned in dispatches in February of this year. Pil~t Officer Willis was born at St. Boniface, ~~nitoba, :L.1 301tem'0er 1914, and joined the R.,li., F. as a pupil pil:)t in 1937o He ':Vas then given a shr·rt service commissi'~·n which ·vvas extended last yea:> _Sergeant J 2 AoM0Reid was born at Newport (Meno) in Mny, 19J.7 o Ho joined ·Ghe il'Ftt Reserve of tho R.A.F. in October, 1935, :.:.r::d was called up for service in October last year.. Ho was a c1vil air pilot before the war. He is u.nrnarriedo Leading Aircraftman J,EeNewby was born at Ramsgate in September, 1917, and joined the R41 A.F. in August, 19370 He was a decoratnr in civi·l life. He was married last December and his ·vvi:te lives at Ramsgate. Leading Aircraftman A.H, Webster was born in 1917 at Aldorshoto He is an electrician by trade and is singlee He joined · the RoAoF. in September, .1935, AIR MINISTRY BULLET_J:Ji_lTO~--!; LONGEST RECO:NNAISS.ANCE FLIGHT OF THE WAR,, --------'-'-~~~~~---~~..-...--._~~~------.-­ FROM SCOT-1,AND TO NARV~TD BACK. 'Jlhe following account by a F'light Lieutenant of Coastal Command of one of the first R. A. F. Flj_ghts to Narvik was released last night. He said : T recently returned from the longest reconnaissance flight of the war -from Scotland to N arvik and back., It was even longer than the flights to Posen and Prague, and was certainly the longest over the seao We were only over land for a few minutes during fourteen-and-a-half hours' flying. I am a New Zealander from N0rthcote, Auckland, and my crew are members of the Royal Air Force New Zealand Bomber Squadron.My second pilot comes from Stratf ord, near New Plymouth, New Zeal_and, and my wireless operator' is also from Auckland., The usual secrecy was maintained before the flighto We were simply told at our home station to pr•oceed to another station, and there collect a Wellington for reconnaissance worko We flew there and saw the Wellington that had been chosen for our flighto It wasn't a new or special type; just an ordinary machine that had been used for training., The aircraft was equippe~ with its full complement of machine-guns, ammunition~ wireless equipment, and everything necessary for 'navigationo After flying to Scotland, we were told to be ready for a take·~off at a.aybreak the next morning., We made sure that the collapsible rubber dinghy was safely stored in its compartment behind the engineo (If we have to use it, we pull a wire which fo1~ces the dinghy out,, Yt is automatically inflated a11d is ready for use 9 complete with its own supply of distress signals) o We carried "'hard tack1~ too, for use in the dinghy -tinned beef? sardines 9 and chocolate" At dawn the next morning we were told that we were to reconnoitre the Norwegian coaat to the Lofoten Islands ancl the Vest F.'jord to Narviko We had with us a Lieutenant-Conrrnander from the Navy to assist in ship recognition, We took off in the early morning in a bee-line for Narvik. rt was a bumpy day and we ran into exti... aordinary weather conditions with heavy rain squalls and, finally, near the Norwegian coast, a snowstorm. Indeed, for a long time we had 27 degrees of frosto As we reached the Norwegian coast we got ready for any­thing. The wireless operator manned the front gun; the second pilot stood at the astro-hatch~ acting as a fire-control officer and the rear gunner took his place in his turret.) Norway, covered in deep snow, was an awe-inspiring sight, and at that time any land was very welcome to uso Our real work had now begun~ though the weather was steadily deterioratingo There was a high wind and we were flying in and out of snow and. s·J eet about 300 feet above the seao There were such terrific bumps that the gunners frequently banged their heads as they were :flung upwards out of their seats~ /We -2 ­ ~.ie met an enemy ail"'Cl"'aft as we went towards the Vest Fjord, out he sheered off when he saw us. We flew up the f jord through driving snow at only 200 feet. The clouds and alif'fs seemed to be closing in on us and when we got to the end, we swung round, made a sharp turn and continued the reconnaissance southward down the coast as faP as Kristiansand. Then we turned for home. Up to this time none of us had eaten any of the rations we carried. We had been too excited about doing the job, but now we all had a cup of hot coffee and some sandwiches. We had . with us six flasks of coffee, beef and ham sandwiches, chocolate, biscuits, chewing gum, a packet of tea, si::~ bottles of water, a billycan and a Tonuny cooker. The trip back was without incident apa1"'t from the weather. We saw British Naval units in the North Sea, circled round them and exchanged signals by .!->.ldis lamp. Yve had seen a couple of British a_estroyers ana_ a merchantman at the entrance to one of the fjords. We had a strong wind against us on this homeward trip, and we were very glad to see the Shetlands as we approached Scotland. We had covered well over 2,000 miles, and as soon as we landed we Viere given hot a_rinks before we made out ou1"' reports and our photographs were developed. The crew comprised my second pilot, a Sergeant Observei-> who acted as navigator, an L.A.C. who was the wireless operator, an aircraftman who was the air gunner, and myself as captain• • The vvhole crevv was interchangeable. Anyone could do anyone else's job, even to piloting, at a push. The1"'e was no automatic pilot in the airci"'aft. The second pilot and I, before we finished, had shared 1~-~ hours at the controls over a distance of more than 2,000 miles. ­ AIR AFFAIRS NOTE TQ THE PRESS. Photographs illustrating this bulletin are available from B; I .•P. P.A., l r .5.40 No 20 • TINNED FOOD FOR THE TROOFcS Captein JP·lugge asked the Secretary of State for War, whether, in view of German radio propaganda, he will assure the House tha_t the tinned food supplied to the British troops in Norway is of the highest possible quality. Mr. O'liver Stanley;­ The tinned food supplied to the troops is accepted only if it conforms in every respect to the recognised specifications which are l aid down so as to ensure that the best quality is obtained., ++++-r.+++++++*4+++++ No• 21 • PRl'~SS .. NOTICE NOT FOR PUBLICATION OR BRO...-\DCAST FEDNESDAY 1 }.'1AY 8th, 1 9~.0. B:CFOlTC 7 o. .m. In pursuo.nce of the c1esirc of the Icclo.ndic Government to esto.blish direct di;_1lomatic 1:..epre sento.tion with this country, His Majesty the King has been gro..ciously ploo.sod to appoint Mr. Chnrles H0 ward Smith, C,M,G., m1.til recently His Majesty• s MinisteF a.t Copenhagen, to oc His Mo.jcsty's Envoy Extra.ordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary o.t Reykjavik. FOREIGN OFFICE. J.l5/40. -No. 22. PRESS NOTICE NOT FOR PUBLICATION OR BROADCASTING BEFORE THE MORNING OF WEDNESDAY May 8, 19400 Admiral of the Fleet Lord Chatfield~ P~Co, G.C.B., O.M., K.C.M.G., C.. VoO.,, D.C.L.,, completes fj_ve years in . that rank on Wednesday, 8th May~ 1940~ The King has appPoved the following promotion in the vap~nay created by the completion of five years in the rank of Admiral of the Fleet Lora. Chatfield: - Admiral Sir Charles Mi;­ Forbes, K,, Co B~, D. s.o. To be Admiral of the Fleet, to date 8th ~ay, 1940~ and in conseguen~~ Vice Admiral Sir D1::1dl_~~~ll::.. NorthJ KoC,, VeO•, C,, ~"s_.r_Q_!'_f?_o ~:e.~" M~-Q:~ is promoted to be Admiral in His Majesty's Fleet, to date 8th May, 1940. ADMIRALTY, s.w.i. The Yiar Office, London, S;'d.1. 7th May, 1940•· MILITAii_I__..~_?PQilTTHl;NT. The \Jar Of'fice announces that His Majesty The King has been r;ler. s ed to n~J rove of tho appointment of' Lieutenant­Colonel, D. c. i\foni.,o~ Li . B. ~ Y. R. C. s. ~din. , Royal Army Medical Corps, to be Honorary Surgeon to The King; with effect from the 11th March 1940, in successio:n to !'!Ia jor-Genearl G• G. Tabuteau, D.S.O., l at e Royal Army Medical Corps, deceased. FREHCH OFFJ;CLli.L COMMUNIQUE (Evening), Paris, Tuesday, May 7, 19Ls0, • The following official communique was issued this evening f~om F~ench Gene0ai Headquarters:• ARTILLERY ACTIONS TO THE WEST OF THE VOSGES.