The B.E.F. are in contact with the enemy and fighting is in progress. A. ttaclrn on Louvain have been re:;;-iulsed. QE.FJ.QJ!J.. cornnm,rquE, The. War Offioe announces that the second contingent of the Second Australian Imperial Force has begun to disembark in Egypt and 1e proceeding to ite specif.ied areas in Palestine. The conunander is I:Iajor-Genel.'al .I.G.· Mackay c.u.G., D.s.o,, V,D., · The troops are in ex~ellent spirits,· WAR OFFICE, · s.w.1. FURT_HER GI_FTS F_FOM THE COLONIESo 1~-rn Shill=!P_gs _a He_~.:tfv.irs, sent the followin~ messnge:~ 11 0n behGlf of Hts LJ.njcsty•s Govcrl'lt11ent in the Unitec1 .Kingc1m:1, I send you "il.nc1 all officex•s und other r a.nks under your co:;-u«E'.nc!. .::::. co:rdinl welcome o..nd very best wishes. At this critical hour your arrival brings us nll encourt·cie.r1cmt o.nd it is a very wclcome c1ernonst:c"'e.t ion thz-'.t ;,ustI•a.li:.~ will be there", AUSTRAL~~'S-~EQ._OND LEGION. Quietly, efficiently, nna. without ceremonial, the ~cond contini:rent of the Seconc1 Austro.lic.n Im·oerio.l Force, embnrlcec1 at Port MelbouPne, Victoric.., ffild ?erth.~ Western Australio.. Some dep~rted in troo~shi~s lon·· nssocinted with the comings and p;oinp;s of Im~'"lel:...io.1-rep:iments ~ others in n famous luxury liner sombrely subdued to the exieencies of war. 11 I have never seen a more efficient nor speedier movement," said the me.ster of one shii'.) whose crested bulkheads showed th:::tt she hnd carried the Roynl Scots ( 11 Pontius Pilo.te's Bodyr;unrd11 ), the Royal Welch~ the Roynl Irish, nnd the Green Howards. "Discipline, ;r he added). 0wo.s s c.tisfnctory! c.na. there wo.s complete co-ordino.tion. 11 At I->ort Melbourne the lone; ;:r,1"ey whc.rd wo.s deserted except for military t.1..nd transport officers, but o.lonG the flat nnd sGndy shores of Hobson 1s B2y thousnnds, e:r~ therin.~ at mic1­nic;ht, scmg and cheered as they braved a comfortless day to w~tch Aust~alia c;oing to war. The soldiers l o.ue;hea. c.na. joked. On their wn-;;,r down to the ports of embetrkation they h nd sune: 11 Roll out the Bar-rel11 o.nd "Rule Bri tannio. 11 , They ho.d scrawled slo.~nns on the troop­tro.ins, amon,c:. them 1'Berli:1 or Bust 11 , a:nd 11Puckc-tpunyal to Berlin and Return with the Fic;htin~ Furies -Five :SOb 2. D2y o.nd .All Founa.• 11 (Puckapunyo.l -nicknamed "Cocker Spc.niel11 -vm:s one of' the Victorian trainin:r, camps). 'I'he co.rriap;es were adorned with caricatures of Hitler, accom::1c-.nieCL by dis~)arn~inp; le,;;;ends. Joculo.ri ty nnd thouri;htfUlness nlterno.teo. on the transports; but as the ships moved out t the a.eeks were thunderous with cheers. Bombers of the Roynl Australian Air Force nccomp:i_nied the convo:y clown the coast. Me. jor-General Iven Giffard Macko.~r, who oomrnands the Second Contingent, has been for many years prominent in Sydney's military and educationo.l life. From 1933 until recently he was in char ge of Cranbrook: fuhool. Aged 58 > General Mackay, who was born a t Grafton~ N. S. W. , was educe.ted a.t Newington College ana. Sydney University. He was a militia officer before the Great War, durinz which he achieveo. a noto.ble record with the Australian Imperial Force. At Gallipoli in 1915 he .n;o.ined his mo.jori ty, vms wounded, and was mentioned i:n dispatches. In 1916 he cormnonded the Fourth Battalion in France, end was awarded the D.S.O. and Bar, winning also the C. M.G. and the Croix de Guerre. From 1920 to 1937 Generel Mnclcny commanded militia brigades in Australia, and in July 1937 he was ag,!}ointed to the command of the Second Division with the r ank of Mo.jor-Genero.l. On the formation of the Australian Corps for service overseas , he succeeded Lieuteno.nt-Genero.l Sir Thomns Bl c.mey in comrnf'_na. of the Sixth Division, 2nd Australicm Imperial J:i'orce. ~2-~~· Pictures ar•e o.vnilcble from P.N.A. and B.I.P.P.A. 17/5/LJ.O Noo 7. FRENCH OF:;.:rcIAL COL :mnn,u:c DJ.9~llTfil Following is the official te~t of the cornuunic:i.ue issuecl f1"orn French G. H. Q. this morning:­ The ·battle continuee_ yesterci.ay anC:. during the night betwem.the Sambre and the re~ion north of Rethel as v1ell as south of Sedan. The figpting has been less se~ere in Bel:;iurn. NothinG to report in Lorraine and Alsace. +++++++ l 7 /5/L~C2.._::. JIo,, 8.~ Previous issues on thi_~ubje~_: Nos. ~& 6, today. In a message to the Australian troops who have just reached Egypt, r·:r. S. H, Bruce, the High Commissioner for Australia, says: uyou have come to take your stand with Britain anci.. .her .l'.llies. With the great traditiJns of the first Australia.n Imperial Force to ins1Jire you I am coTtf'ident that ~rou will ::_Jla~r an hm1-:.mrable :1;a:tlt in achieving final victory." ----000---­ DOMINI ON & COLONI~u. __.@_FAI RS. · PRCSS NQJ..ICEl The following message from the First Lord and the First Sea Lord has been sent to all ships and vessels that have been and are operating from Northern Norway to the Belgian coast. 11 We would like those of you who are going through the most strenum.IBtime that no.val forces have ever ho.Cl. to en0.ure to realise that we ana. the Naval Staff know well what is being asked of you. Many of you have not har'1. a G;OOd. night's rest for weeks, but nevertheless your work has beon done magnificently and c~erfully. 11 What you may not r•ealise is that you arc helping our country to weather as black a storm as has ever broken on her, "Hold on9 carry on in the ·splendid wny you are a.oing. "Good. Luck to youl ADMIRALTY, S.W.l. .. ++++++++++++++. 17!5/40 No. 11. R. A. F. AGAIN BOMB GERMAN MILITARY OBJECTIVJJS _ .__...______ ·-~-~---­ The Aira Ministry announces ~ During last niGht R. A. F. aircraft made further successful bombing attacks on military objectives in Germany. +++++++++++ AIR AFF~ 17.5~40 No 13 The 'Jar Office announces that the Auxiliary Territorinl Scrvice are in inuncdiat e need. of trained women clerks , cooks, storekeepers and orderlies. Applicntiof.I. shoulQ be made to the nearest Army r ecruiting cent re where detailed information will be given. lli!TARY AFFAIR:J , I t is t:.ndersto'_;(l that the South African Defence Department is consic'l.ering th6 formaticm of a battalion of Hollanders (natives o:t' :-Io1land) r'esiclen t in the Union, to serve with the South African Fo:rces~ Tt is hoped to create a unit of' between 600 ai:1d 800 men., In Capetown alone there are 200 Hollanders anxious to serve" The Ge:r:'.'Tlen invasion of the Low Countries, and the news that certain South Africs.n units are to be mobilised1 have given a vigorous impetus t,:::i r-ecr v_:;_ ti:1g in South Africao Cape T ')Wn and Juhunnes'1::m1'g are experiencing the most enthusiastic rally to P 1.e CoJ;mrs since the vrar began, there being an enclless str·eam uf :::•ec.L'Ui ts at the latter 21lace. Durban has established nerr recr uiti ng rccorc1s., Mr... T.oi L Hudd1e ~ Hayo:c ~)f Jrihc.n:nesburg ~ informed a meeting of p:cotest against the German j_nvasion that the Admini­strator of the T:ean svs.a1 y General Jo J., pj_enaar, was O:'._Jening a special fund for Hol J 2:ll"1c1 anc1 Belgium9 for which purpose a branch of the South Afr:i.can r:aym•s t Funcl was being createdo Before the Union Par1iament adjourned early this week it unanimously voted. £ 1.00 7000 f'or· t1:le relief of distressed Hollanders o ..... ..... ...... _., ~ () _ ... ... ,..~;,o ... ,..,. DOMINIONS .AND cnLOJ'.)!11."G O~F).CJ2Ji PRES s ~E,6'.:(i91l A.Me BULL~TIN NO . 695. NOT TO B~ PUBLIS?J.m IN ANY COUNTJi: .2·t...·.JL~ ~1-'IG: ....__..,._......,,__............ . ~----.t.1-~~ MOf.PING NBWSPAPE:RS OF S;\TURDA~G_ 18TH i i.Y. :i.940 OR BROADCAST Bi~li'ORE 7 A.M. ON T~:}1~A.'l"E<> AIH I'I FIS_._RY CASUALTY COMEUIUQUE NO. 30e ROYAL AIR FORCE, The Air Ministry regrets to announce the fol1owing cas1mlties on various datcse The ncz:t of kin have been informed. BAGULEY DltABBLE :::;iL.LCOHER IRVINE LAMBLE RAYNER SMITH 529181 40610 523067 580456 550831 90022 580500 Leading Aircraftman, Pilot Officer, K.J. Sergeant, D.G9B9> Sd•gcant G.B. Leading Aircraftman, Flying Officer, P.H. Sergeant, T.D. H~ PoJo PR~VIO USLY REPORTBD f MISSING' NOW 1KILLED IN ACT ION_' • REPORTrm 751471 745604 S::;:cgGant, :;crgcant, J.A.L. Jo C~ KILLED IN ACTION EVESON 635904 J\.ircraftrnan, 2nd Class Go KITE 40231 Acting Flight Licutcnant,P.'d.,,H. LE LIA ISTRE 41033 Pilot Officer, A.F. MAILE 543456 Airc~aftman 1st Cl ass, G.H~ MILLAR 569861 Aircraftman 1st Class, R.Lo LORRI SON ' 522580 Leading Aircraftman, F.A. UPHAM 562805 Le:ading Aircraftman, D.VV .B. WOUND~D OR INJUPJW n: AUI'ION. McC;.RTHY 532666 Loading Ail'c:eaftman, R.Vv. HILSON 41767 Pilot Officer, ~.F.M. YOUI\fG 563811 Ser'.:';cant, A. MISSING BELIT~VED KILLE}J ~-'.~_);.CTION. ANNING 525720 Sergeant, ~;1.J. J~NTHONY 561995 ScrGcant, D.I. BOWEN 521480 Leading i:i.ircraftman, T.H~ BULLOCK 565115 ~:;~:r•ge:ant, H.F. DIXON 533999 Corporal, G.H. 1fBi~TH 37173 1i11ight Lieutenant, A.c. HURST 33388 Pilot Officer, T. HUTCHINSON 524532 Lending n.i rcraft;·,1an 1 O,,h.o KERR IDGE 39199 ~cting Flight Lieutenant, BeR• LOVINE 580167 Sergeant, C.H. NICHOLLS, 746976 Sergeant, S.A. POOLE 580416 Scrge:ant, C.J.s. :}ELLS 551357 Leading J...ircraftman, C.R. ~'IELLS 37535 Flying Officer, M.c. :,1m1~.R.SOH 90497 Pilot Officer, M.H. BASSETT L~781 Flying Officer, T.G. BENCE 61 9972 J.ircj_"8.ft.m2.n 2nd Class, R. W,, DENSON ~-3131 Pilot Officer, J •• H., · BOWEN 5151.01 Sergeant, J.T.. BRADPOHD 33019 Squo.dron Lecc1or, R~L. ~.»RIDSON 539332 Lcnc1ing J.ircr8ftnmn., H9 BROOKER 564099 Sergec.nt, J .R. BURNETT 613517 Lending :.ircraftman, E~W.. BURNS 3330L~ Flying Officer, R.M. BUTTERVJOR'.I'H L~0798 Pilot Officer, J .. L ~G.. CAVJJU.GH 5L!.2287 Leo.ding ;.ircroftrno..n, Wo T, CHILD 51.J.13L!.~-LeL1dil1_s; Ji.ircrnftm2n, CoCo CERIS'l1IE 517808 Sergeant, Jo CRE\78 37795 Flying Office:e, C~lHRo D.:.VIES 539392 Lco.di:..1g .t'..ircraftmc.n~ R.Dc DI.VIS 580509 Sergeant, T.1/l ~ ::;ELJ.HUNTY 636904 Aircro.ftmo.n 2nd Class, YJ.,,J,. B.l.I,IS 550L~.53 Aircrc.ftmo.n 1st Cl.'.:'..SS Ac EVArJS 536059 Leading Aircro.ftman, ToSo FOOTNER 580l.~23 SergGant, K. Do Gl.RLAI'ID ~-0105 Flying Officer, Doi:;,. GJ.RBETT 533153 Leo.ding l~ircraftE10..n, Ho Tc GILL 6219L~6 li.ircraftmnn 1st Class B, GRLY 36188 Pilot Officer I,L. GHEGORY 58051 2 Scrgo2~n·b, F,, W ~ l'J'.RDING 33438 Pilot Of1'icor, G.,F. H.h.RRISOW 580203 Scr•geo..nt, T. C.R ~ H!}'JiUITS 800567 Loo.ding Lil'•cro.ftme.n, IL C.,\"[ o IIORDERN l+1Lr.18 Pilot Officer, l~cP~B., HUDSON 39125 Flying Officer, A~J~ I:IULTON~·HA.1.L{ROP L~15S5 Pilot Officc1'"', C"P" de L.. HURFORD 521567 Corporo.l, Gv ISAf.CS 800520 Corporo.l L.D., JENNINGS 580427 Sorgccmt C.M~ JOlJES 580417 Scrgecmt, N.. S.D. KEEGAN 580581 Sergeant9 J.B~ KNOVJLES 580790 Sorgecmt, B.E~S.. LEE 37323 Flight Licutoncmt, A.VJ. LE VOI 562560 Sergeant, E.E.B. LUCK 52LJ.11L1. Sergcm1t, J .A.. A. LUSK 70LJ.13 Pilot Officer, D.J.T. McFADDEN 545595 Leadi11g Aircraftman, Vl .A.. Mc..cKE'.lJZIE 580459 Sergeant, R~IoL~ McPHERSON 39200 Flying Officer, A.,~ D.F .,S.., l!IADERSON 517089 Sergeant, 1-.li. .. M!.RL!'.1.ND 51L+l+50 Sergoc.nt, F., IVJ.ATTHEWS L~0003 Pilot Officer, A.VI. MEYRICK 5516L:.O Aircro.ftman 1st Clews, D,. MIDDLEMASS 580Lt-61 Sorgonnt, NoC,. MILLS 62377!_i. li.i:rcraftnw.111st Class, S.WG MOOHE 90098 Flying Office1", C.R.., MOORE 565347 Sergeant, M. MORRISON 41096 Pilot Officer·, J.D. OPENSH11.W 551751 Leading L.ircl"nftmo.n, J .. D. OVER 551639 Leading Aircraftmcn, H.F .. ]VII SS ING.. (CONTD,) ?A!rJ.':)N P~~HKER PEI.RCE PERRIN REYNOLDS ROBERTS RYE 81:.NDS S,.VILL SCOTT SENIOR SHROSBREE SLE. SL0.1ill SPURR SUHDERLi..ND 'l'HOM••S THOMPSON TOMLINSON TOWNSEND-COLES ·rYLER TYLER W.i.RD ' . .f:f-L'J:.,LEY WOOD WOOLL;.TT 33331 39111 565936 537397 550860 40140 551184 515799 41956 34225 580311 · 516530 40149 517038 561257 755141 580177 580843 05214 625503 541348 552475 516975 56237) 624992 39451 Flying Officer, Aa D., D.F.C . J~cting Flight Licn1ti;:nc.nt, E. Sergeant, li.GoA. Leading J..ircrnftr;ia:i.1, J • .c,. Leading Jdrcraft man, L.Ha­Flying Officer, heC~ Corporal, RGK • Sergeant, J.Co. Pilot Officer, N.~. ;..c ting Squadron Leader, · W~I, Leading li.ircraft man, J -:.Co Sergeant, KQN~ Flying Officer, G&W~ Leading ~ircraftman, R~ Sergeant, v. Sargeant, H.R. Sergeant, I.L. Sergeant, NaH. Squadron Leader, GoCo Leading ~ircraftman, R.BoHo Loading 11.iI'crnftman.9 P./.,, Leading J.ircraftman R-H~ Sergeant, Ee.HQ S"1"gcantl1 J Q ;..ircraftman 2nd Cla s s, R~,'·~ Flying Officer, SoP~ ~DON i..CTIVE SERVICE~ i~LISON 519436 Sergeant, V • BERRYM.t:.N 33506 Pilot Officer, J" T. BOWIE 909589 Aircraftman 2nd Class, R.F.J. CHILD 745894 Sergeant, H~li. GIDDINGS 564658 Sergeant, N.F.F. GODDiJtD 551885 Loading J..ircraftman9 C~J. LUTLEY 745415 Sergeant, P.R. NEIRYNCK 645692 Leading J.ircraftman, V.c.,E. POLGLij,,SE 75995 Pilot Officer, G. ROGERS 41741 Pilot Officer, L.O. SCHMID 746761 J..cting Serguant, E.O.F. 'NommED OR INJURED ON ACTIVE SERVICE 0 "~COOK 565068 Sergeant, G.W. JJ?PLETON 42475 Pilot Officer, E.R.M. Di..WSON 28182 Flight Lioutonant, V.J..• SHEEN;..N 37587 .i..cting Squadron Loader, G.H. TOLLEMJ..CHE 90100 Flying Officer, A.H.H. D._m_D OF ~1/0UNDS OR INJURIES RCCEIV1..]D ON ~ ..CTIVE SERVI~~ :sViJilS 741838 Scrgcont, L. DIED OH .i'..CTIVE SERVICE. CARP'.GNTJJR 880889 ,,.·..ircra:f'twoman 2nd Class Sou. HAL'L 334167 Corpornl J .E ~ HAYES 525892 Cor-poral, L.F. HCil!'J1:.'1.E 628538 Aircrnf'tmnn 1st Class9 Ke He:F..AY 5:?«836 Scrgoant, I.-J,, PURVIS 807265 Ji.ircraftnmn 2nd Class, F.E.c•. QUINCE~ 651827 .iarcraf'tman 1st Clnss J..o :;_ . . '{ '.~ DIED ON ACTIVE SI::RVICJ:} . (CONTD.) SETTT..uE 624835 l1.ircraftF1an 1st Class l7 F .G. 80UTHGJ'"TE 900660 Lircraftman 2nd Clo.ss, Ni>F e PREVIOUSLY REPORTED 'MISSilifG r NOW R:SPORTED ' PRISONER OF Wiill'. BJJ?R 740019 Sergeant, V.H. ILRGRJ.\VES 619153 Aircraftman 1st Clo.s s F ~ PREVIOUSLY REPORTED ' MISSING B:CLIBVED KILLED IN .:,.CTION.~­. NOW REPORTED 'PRISOi~I;R OF li.:.R 1 ., DON•. iliDSON 37389 Flying Officer, M,,W. MIDDLETON 40735 Pilot Officer$ F,.D~ l?RESS & PUBLICITY BR/i.l\TCH 9 .i.. IR MI NISTRY, KI NG CHJiRLES STREET~ WHITEH~l.LL9 S • W" 1 o 18th May 1 1940. 17. 5. 40 No.17. The Post Master General, the Rt. Hon., W.S. Morrison, M.C. K.C. M.P., has appointed Mr. C.J. Miles, M.B.E. to be his Principal Private Secretary, Secretary to the Post Office Board, and to the nost Office Advisory Council in place of Mr. H, Napier, promoted. GENERAL POST OFFICE. r SJ\LVLGE INCP~i\S}; Ri.~LC~{GS liILLION ; : /JlK0 ---------~----~-.... --~··-~·--·--· -·---.... ...-----~--­ PROGRESS 01'' HINISTRY OF Su.2I'LY DRIVE ---------.. ·----­ Since the Ninistry of Suppl y salve:.:_-:,e conpn.i 3n bogc:n rJJout five nonths ago, . local authoriti0s in Engl and;. Scotland [.;.nd Vfoles hc.vc qi.w.clrupl e s::..lvn.guc1 n.nd sold as reported to the Sn)Nago Depc.rtnent of tho Hinistry vra.s .at the r at e of £.336,000 a yeare 'ro-day it is at the r at e of £1,380,000 a ycir -rm incruasc of noro than £1,000,000 a yeD.r in incone~ During this period the ntu,1ber of local authoritius carrying out salvage work in co-operation with t he :Mi ni stry of Supply k 1.s steadily i ncreased. In November, of 1012 local C:.uthorities circulnrised by thu Ministry of Supply 316 reported salvago schemes i n oporlct:i.on. The nw-11ber has now increased to 850 and is growing dqily~ The total population covered by salvage activities in HovGubcr wc..s about 23,000,000. To-day it exceeds 37, 000, 000. The vnluc of nmterials s.'.i.l V["tgea. and sola. by l ocnl <.uthoriti0s in Novcmbe;r was £28,000. Heturns now being cor·,pletcd by the ~.:inistry for the l.lonth of April show an incren.se to £115;000 for the nonth} giving the annual rate of £1,380,000. If C:.11 equiv.'llt:mt .'.'.l'.lOu.nt of these nc-.teri o.ls hu.d to be inported its cost might be ten tines c.s nuch, Waste paper collections r)y l cco.l au-chori tie:s brought i :1 !1-, 500 tons of paper in Novc.:mbcro In April the rc1ount hul incroascd to 15,000 tons0 Si i;-1ilo.r increa ses [Te shovm in re s:;:.,.:::ct of collections of ferrous :..cnL1 non·-fcrr ous notc.::..s, textiles, bones o.nd ot:1er o.rticlcso The 1.Iinis try's snlvo.gc"clrivd'bogr.:.n vrith 1oco.l authorities in England and Wales representing populo.tions of 10 ,000 or J;torc and with local t::.uchoritics in Scotlo.nd. with populations of 5,000 or uore. '!'ht; ::d.rivc"h2.s no\T bc:.cn extend,;c1 in England n.nd Vl8.les to n.uthoritios L1 areD.s '.vith c.. poi-:>ulntion of 5, 000 and upwo.rds. It is of course nGccssnry thn.t cv0ry loc[·.1 ,-::.uthority shc.11 becor,1e: salv::i.go conscious. So.lvage collecti ons are not confined t o loc["~l o.uthoritieso Sub:::it o.ntir,l qun.ntities of "waste 11 mo.teri ['_l s [·)TC al so being retrieved fo1· r e -uso in industry by rnerchn.nts and voluntary or1:1pnis::itions. 'l'he Wrnrren' s Voluntary Services :.:md other orgnniso.tions o.re co-opc::r~'.ting ni th loco.l o.uthoritios in vn.rious parts of the country in enlisting the ho1p of housowivcf\ and others in t he salvage schcrao. Jl_,Ir. H.G. J"udd, Sn.lvnge Controller of the l.'iinistry of ~:;uFply, stated to-day: "Undoubtedly the progress of tho past few nonths lms boen consiclero.blc mJ.d encouraging, especi ally Y1hen i t i s remonborcd thn.t local 0.uthorities hc.ve had to work vvith depleted sto..ffs ~ owing t o w:i.-Chdrnvral of mon for the fighting forces CTJ.d t o cope with other urr;ent wc..r t:iJ.co deraands in r espect of A.R.P. and the evo..cuo.tion scher:ics. "Despite the o.chievci;1ent of those uonths ·' there is no gj:ound for cor:1yln.cency. While m2.ny Councils a.re t~i.ckling the work thoroughly, it is equall y true thn.t a number are doing very little and n. fev-r nothing at n.11, Vfo ar e lookin.:.i; to these loco.l authorities to do -chcir pa.rt. I would beg ther,1 to ron.liso tht:~t we are at a critical stccge in the wo:r when r f'..W uo..ter:i.o.ls {'..re b.Jing used up r D.pi dl y e.r~a. the assisto.nco of every singl e council is ::ibsolutely :i.Hpcrn.tivc. (P. 'l"•O. I. 287. "With equD.l earnestness I beg of housevrivos to lend their full co-opcrntion in supporting the loco.l collection schemes. r:rt should be remenbered thn.t even narc i nporhmt thn.n tho money value of the incor:ie from s o..lvc..ged mo..terio.l is the fact thn.t so..lvo.ge opero..tions at home reduce the necessity for buying o..bron.d, snve shipping s:po.ce for vital war supplies o.nd red.uce the stro.in and risk to which our seo.E1en are exposed•. By saving wc..ste we co..n save lives, nnd help our country to victory". MINIS'l'RY OP Sill?PLY, F;:ess Office, Adelphi, We C. 2o 1-_7th May, 1%-0. Press Notice 19/17.5.40. COST OF I,IVI NG INDEX FIGURi::iS FOR 1ST MAY . T;·:e Ministry of' Labour and Na·cional Service announces that at 1st May, 1940, the c·fficial cost-of-living fig,ure was 80 points above the l evel of July 1914, as compared with 78 points at 1st April, 1940, and 79 points a:c 1st Harch, 1940. 'rl:ie rise of 2 points since 1st April (i.e. :Crom 178 to 180, t he figure for July, 1914-, being 100) is equival ent to rather more than 1 per cent. For food alone, the index figure at 1st May was 59 points above the level of July, 1914. This is 1 point above the f igure for 1st April, but 2 points below the fi~u:ce for 1st March last. The rise in the index figure for food was due mainly to an increase in the prices of e[Q;s . .Axnong items other than food, the prices of tobacco, cigarettes and matches were raised as a result of the additional duties provided for in the Budget; the prices of clothing showed a slight rise, on average, during .April, ai.--id r ail way fares were increased as from 1st May. Press Office, Ministry of Labour and National Service, Mont agu House, Whitehall, s.w.1. 'J;elephone : 1ifuitehr>.11 6200. H.Q.398-520 E.J. AIR MINISTRY BULLETIN No9698. A PARACHUTE DESCENT. Details are now av,ilable ot a para.chute descent near the Franco-Belgian frontier by the crew of a British Bomber which wo.s badly do.maeed while to.king po.rt in o.n offensive operation ago.instthe enemy. The aircro.ft was first hit just before it reached the main road along which GermElil mechanised troops were po.ssing.· Pom porn shells shot the rudder control a.way. Despite this serious hnndicnp, the Bomber succeeded in co.rrying out its allotted task. A few min~tes after the bombs were dro~9ed the o.ircrnft was . again hit by a shell which put the starbonrd engine out of action. At the same time, the port engine began to show signs of do.mage,and it wns only through skilful piloting that the Bomber was keptfrom going into a steep dive•. Later the damage increased and orders were given to abandon aircraft. The first to leave the Bomber was a Sergeant whose journeydown ended on top of n tree in o. wood~ 11.Aft.er getting rid of my genr" he so.id, 111 t took about twenty minutes to climb down the tree, which must have been taller thG.n the beo.nsto.lk that Jack climbed; 11It was .:;:iitch dark~ but I mnno.eed to find my way through the wood• Later, I fell down n bank and found myself lying beside a river. It wo.s too dark to move again, so I vmi t .ed until do.wn before starting off towards the west • . On the way, I met o. co:u:ple of Belgio.n peaso.nts, who were on their way to join-' the Army. 11 We kept company for a.bout eieht miles j though Germo.n recon-·· naissnnce aircraft did their best to po.rt us by comin~ down low and machine-gunning the road. Presently 'Ne met some French soldiers, who at once arrested me nnd mo.rched me to their heo.dquo.rters .where I soon convinced them that I wns not o. German parachutist". Another member of the crew, n Corporo.1) had n less comfortable landing than the Sergeant. He fell through o. greenhouse; but1 thanks to his thick flying clothes, he suffered only minor injuries. After extricating himself he met some Belgio.n fo.rmers, who ,gave him hot coffee and then led him to the nearest milito.ry post• . The pilot landed in a small clearing in a wood; 8.Ild was soon on his f~et trudging towards the nearest village, There he was challenged by o. French soldier• ;'A rifle 11 , said the Pilot, 11 wqs stuck in my bD.ck and I was ordered to raise my ho.nds. · In my best French I then snid 1'Je suis un aviateuri Anglais 1 11 but the soldier was not so.ti!:Jfied until a French officer; who spoke English, arrived on the scene;. The officer escorted me to his heo.dquarters, where I was introduced to his General~ A few hours later I wqs on my way back to join my squndron. 11 AIR AFFAIRS. ------000-----­ 17/5/40 -No 2-2 The Minis ter of Aircraft Production announces that the Nuffield Aircraft Factory ancl.. the Vicl P.ub1J.s_~c~o11__P.ef~~J.1o.rp.ing Paners of Saturd~ .:! 8t11.J@.Y.__}foJ_ f~_1~_roadcast_~efor,e 7. a. m. GOVERNMENT EVACUATION SCHEUE The Government have decided that, in the light of recent developments, it is advisable to transfer to receiving areas in GlamOJ:>gan and Monmouth school children evacue.~ed from London and the Medway towns, who are now in certain districts on the coasts of Essex, Keht and Suffollc. The areas frorn which the children are to be moved are: ir, Essex, Clacton Urban District, Frinton and Walton Urban 'District; in Kent, Canterbury County Borough, Deal Borough, Faversham Borough, Polkestone Borough, Hythe Borough, Sandwich Borough, Herne Bay Urban District, Sittingbourne and Milton Urban District, Whitstable Urban District, Sheppey Rural District; in Suffolk, Ipswich County Borough, Felixstowe Urban District, Woodbridge Urban Districto The areas to which the children will be sent are: in Glamorganshire, I\1aesteg Urban Di strict, O;zmore and Garw Urban District, Pontypridd Urban District, Rhondda Urban District, Llantrisant and Llantwit Fardre Rural District, Cardiff Rural District ; in I:Ionmouth, Abercillery Urban District, Tredegar Urban DistPict, Magor and St. Mellons Rural District. The number of children involved is about 10,000; of these about 1 ,500 are at present in Essex, 6,000 in Kent and 2,500 in Suffolk. Arrangements have been made for some 7,100 to go to Glamorgan and some 2,900 to Monmouth. /The -2 ­ The ;,10-:e nill tc;. ~;::e ·olo.ce on Sun6.:::\; " 19t h Iio.y·. Trains r1ill l eave the E2at Co.s.st c.:t•ecw eo.i-•ly in the -CJ.o.y o.nd will t ake ·the chil dren di r e ct t 0 the r eceiving areas i n South 7ales. These areas wer·e l e:..1s t utilj_;:;,3d i n Se1:;tenib21• ~ 1939 ~ v1hen the general evacuati on tool:: pl acer· ov-.'in~ ·~o tiie heavy strain upon long­distance ·cr anspo1•t which 'il'.:t s im:'_)osecl.. by the ma@1itu.de and ra:pi c1it y of that rnoven1ent c The ch:i.ld:::en wj_l2. o.ssem1Jl e under the care of their teacher-s with l1and lugg by instilling fear and particularl~r fear of the unknown. On May 16th the German wireless broadcast in Dutch an alleged statem.ent by captured Belgian officers to the effect that they suddenly founo_ that ti1eir weapons vvoulcl no longer fire. Later, this same stor:r was broadcast from Hamburg in English, with the added implication th2.t tlle mysterious occuri"ence was due to the German secret weapon. Still more recently, the story has been spread in Sweden. The guns are said to have gone out of aotion for some ine~:plicable reason °as by magic". This is a rather crude attm:1pt at hypnotising the intended victim in the ho::_)e of instilling such terror that the victim mistrusts his weapons, hovreveP adequate g and falls a pl"ey. It is analysed with other German rnethods which rely on the credulity of those vvho listen. The German claim to :put oms out of action without their users' realising it is a physical irnpossibility. It is only necessary to point to two facts to see how absurd this latest German bogey is. In spite of being thus mysteriously ";)ut out of action" the Belgian guns have inflicted enormous losses on the Germaas and are continuing to do so even in surrounded Liege. The stories about nerve gas al"e in the same category. Military Affairs. Bulletin No. 687~ 17/5/40 -NO: 29i PRESS NOTICE, As a result of tho publication on tho 14th May of the Small Craft (Information) Order many hundreds of letters are being received daily at the Admiraltyi A very large nwnbcr of the letters offer small craft unconditionally to the Royal Navy. It is regretted that, in viow of the pre! ssure of work during the present emergency, it will not bo possible at present to acknowledge these offers individually~ ADMIRALTY, Whitehall, S,W,1, Air Ministry News Service. 17/5/40 -No.3Q. Air Ministry Bulletin No.701~ WOUNDED PILOT A~~. CREW_ SPJJ!'!P T\VO NIGHTS IN NO MAN'S LAND. From the reco1"d of gallantry and determination displayed bybomber and fighter aircraft pilots of the Advanced Air StrikingForce during these days of fiel'.'ce endeavou1... in France emerges one consFicuous story. The pilot of a medium bomber, one of a formation which was ordered to impede by every }.)Ossible means the enemy mechanised columns in the neichbourbood of Sedan, ran into devastating anti-aircraft fire 011 his approach to the German lines. His aircraft was hit and he was desperately wounded, one hand being shot away. Wounded like that, this young pilot officer carried on until right over his objective where he dropped a full loan of bombs. Several direct hits were observed and the columns on the road below were disorganised. Just when the injured pilot officer had turned his o.ircraft for the flight back to his base, another shell hit the bomber. The damage to the aircraft made it impossible to attempt further flight but the pilot managecl to bring his aircraft to a successful forced lo.ndinG in "No Man's Land" on the East side of the River Meuse. As he descendecl., he had to swerve violently to avoid a high tension electric cable. When the aircraft was grounded, the sergeant observer lifted the -pilot from the cock·oi t and di"'essed his wounds as best he could. Then-the ooserver and rear gunner, aiding the pilot in every way, set out across the fields towards the West and the French line. They had reached the outskirts of a wood in the covering darln1ess when theyheard very near at hand orders shouted in German. Striking off in another direction, they found a barn into which they b1...oke and remained there for the nj.ght. By noY!, the i)ilot was delirious and in the .zreatest pain, and the serc;eant had to give him morphiainjections for relief. In the morninc the sergeant and gunner set off again. They had discovered in the barn a sr.iall hand cart and o:n that they placed their wounded officer and pushed off until their :further progress was stopped by the River Meuse. They could find no way acposs and lay up a.Gain in hiding on the margin of the stream. By this time the :pilot officer had died of his wounds. The gunner again went to try and find a crossing and drone to a partially-demolished bridge and J:tetui~ncd to ,the se:rgeant to· make his reriort. During that night -their second in "No Man's Land" -with the Germans on either side of tt1em and close at lland, these two air­craftmen clambered across the rickety broken bridge until they reacl1.ed the French outpost anc"'i. were taken by an P...merican volunteer ambulance baclc to their own Sq_uadron. · AIR AFFAIRS. 11l2/40 No. 31. ~-. · IN'rENSE .AIR AC':CIVITY ON WESTERN FRONT The Air Ministry announccs:­Yesterday night bombers of the R.AoFo again raided military objectives in Western Germany.. Their object was to interfere with communications by which the enemy is bringing up supplies and reinforcements to the Western Front~. i1Iany objectives sustained direct hits in these operations in which none of our aircraft was lost. Simultaneously a force of medium bombers made sustained attacks on enemy transport and petrol reserves in the woods round Sedan. Attacks were also made upon troop reserves and supply columns. As the result of these operations several fires broke out. During yesterday enemy thrusts in the valley of the Meuse were fiercely and successfully attacked., Pontoon bridges were blown up, roads blocked? and troops on the march bombed and machine-gunned. The enemy were hampered and harassed at key points and mechanised units received heavy casualties. There has been intense activity in the B.~.F. area today. Bomber Squadrons of the R. A. F. have rnade rGiJeated anct determined attacks on mechanised enemy columns and tanks~, The enemy advance was supported by bombing aircraft with strong fighter prot,Gction. Nevertheless our bombers made a series of lovv flying attacks on the enemy column and inflicted great damage~ Bridges were blown up, roads blocked, and the advance chocked.) In support of the Frcmch Army a squadron of Blenheims made a sortie this mornin6 to b0mb a key position at Gembloux. They encountered a large formation of enen~r fighters and intense A.A. fire. In spite of great gallantry and determination 1 eleven of our aircraft failed to return. R. Ao Fe fighters were on iJa trol yesterday ·before dawn. Two of them, above their own acrodromc 7 intercepted a formation of nine Dorniers which vvere about t o bomb it., They shot down two and the rest turned tail~ /Three -2 ­Three enennJ aircraft attacked a town in which the R.A.F. was quartered. All three were shot down, one by a Hurricane and the other two by anti-aircraft and wachine-zun fire. One German airaraft hit by fire from a Dofors gun, broke into pieces in the air. Light anti-aircraft batteries defending R.A.F. aerodromes have accounted for at least ten enemy aircraft in the last two days. During yestei:day in all thirty-five enemy ail"'craft were accounted for and p1•eliminary reports indicate that today a further thirty-one have been shot down and many more so disabled it is unlikely that they reached theil:' bases. Army Co-operation SquadJ:ons carried out a large number of artillePy and contact reconnaissances. In the Scandinavian area bombinCT aircraft destroyed enemy oil tanks at Bergen. Other aircraft attacked hangars and slipways ih Stokke Fjord which were extensively damaged, while others bombed Stavangar Aerodrome vvhere 9 fires were started and direct hits were made on the runways . From a careful study of all sources of information, it appears that the German Air :D'orce have lost over a thousand aircraft since Germany invaded the Low Countries. To this figure must be added the enemy's losses in Poland and Norway. To-day's German High Command communique gave the losses of Allied aircraft as fourteen hundred and sixty-two. It is thought that the High Command must have published their ovm loss in error. Allied losses are in fact only a small fraction of the German claims. In spite of these heavy inroads into the fighting strength of the German Air Force, i t must be understood that their reserves are considerable and that they are, for a time at least, able to sustain tlHtir effort. hIR MINISTRY BULLETIN. No.70~ 1715/40. -No, 32. AIR MINISTRY NEWS SERVICE Sergeant Pilot and_Junner decorated. A Sergeant Pilot and an Air Gunner received the Distinguished Flying Medal at a Scottish Coastal Command Station to-day for gallantry and devotion to duty in air operations. The decorations were presented by Air Vice Marshal C.D. Breese to Sergeant Pilot A. T. Maudsley and L.A.O. A.H. Webster. AIR AFFAIRS .11/5/40 No. 33,, PRESS___ J~_9TI~CJL The King has bcun pleased to approve tho foilowing appointments: Joint Parliam~~tary oo Captain the Rt. Hon. David Sccrcto.rics Margesson, M~C., M.Po Sir Charles Edwards, C.B~E. 9 MoP.. Lords Con~nissioners ca • 0 The Rt. Hon. James Stuart, M.v.o., Mo Ca ' Mo Po Patrick Munro Esq., , IvL. Po Patrick George 'rhomas Buchan-Hepburn, Esq. , M. Pt. 1.Villiam Whytehead Boulton Esq.. , M. P. Wilfr•oa. Paling Esq. , Mo Po J0int Parliamentary Under­0 " ( Brigadier-General Sir Henry Page Secrotarios of State. ( Croft, Bt. $ Co M. G.. , To D. , M. Po ~ Sir Edvvard 'vVilliam Macloay Grigg, ( K. C., M,, G" , K. C. V. O. D.S.. Oo , M. C. , -Mo Po Financial Secretary •o • Richard Kidston Law Esq.. , M. P. 0 IV-fL~.r~_9..f_[~c~y__~Jlcf._Burma Officg~ Parliamentary Under-Secretary of Stateo The Duke of Devonshire A~=2tr..?-)-t ;z. Parliamentary and Financial Sir Victor Alexander George Anthony .. 0 SGcretary Warrender, Bt., M.C. M.p.. Scottish Office,, Parliamentary Under-Secretary Joseph Wostvvood Esqo 9 M.. P$ ot:' Stntc Parliamentary Secretary Dingle Mackintosh Foot Esq. , M~ P.. .. 0 Purliamcntnry Secretary Miss Ellen Wilkinson, MoP• 0 c Mi]lj.s~.=£.Y_2.f_JE.formation. Parliamentary Secretary The Hon. Harold Nicolson, Co Mo G., M. P. • 0 Assitant Postmaster-General oo Co.:ptain Charl\BS Waterhousc, M. Co , M. P. Treasurer• o o Robert Villiers Grimston Esq.. , M. P. • 0 ." "., Comptroller • • William \:Vhi teley :Csq. , Mo Po • 0 0 0 Vic C··Charnberlo.in 0" Mo.jor Sir Albert James Edmondson,0 .. M~ p,, The Prime Minister has appointed Mr.J.P.L.Thomas, M.. P., to be an Assistant Whip (unpaid). Sir Percy Harris, who is Chief Whip of the Liberal Parliamentary Party and who is acting as their Deputy ChairmA.n, has agreed at the express wish of the Prime Minister to continue his work on the Select Committee on National Expenditure of which he is now acting Chairman. 10, Downing Street, s. w,, 1. 17/5/D.-O. -No. 34. P R E S S N 0 T I C E. The War Office announces that the volume of offers and suggestions in connection with the Local Defence Volunteer Force has been so large that the Secretary of State regrets his inability to acknowledge or reply in detail to a1l coft'Umlnioations. Individuals offering their services are requested to oommuniaate with the local Police Station nearest their place of residence, and representatives of organised bodies to the nearest Militar.y Headquarters. THE WAR OFFICE , s.w.1. 17/5/40 -No.37. FRENCH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. (~VENIN_Q) , Todny the Gerrnnn attack developed on a massive scaie~ not only in Belgium but in the region of Avsens and of Vervins. On those fronts the ene~r engaged the gl"'enter pnrt of his henvy tonk division. The battle took on the aspect of ~ veritable melee. F£-,rther to the east the enemy attacked in the regj.on of Sedan 8.nd of Montmedy without success. In close collo.boration with the Ro~ra.l Air Force our uviation continued its energetic and effico.eious netion against the land troops,. rend junctions nnd railways.Whilst assuring the protection of' our troops our fighters enga.~ed in numerous encounters in the air. Many enemyaeroplanes were brought d0\1.11. In the present circumst~nces of open warf'are it is not possible to know the exact number. _17,_._/...... ___ 38. 5.._/4..._0 N.o. The Wnr Office announce:­ During the night of the 16th/17th May, certain re-adjustments of the front having become necessary, the B.n.F. was withdrawn to ~ositions west of Brussels. This re-adjustment vms co.rried out without interference. There is no question of any collapse or break-through in this sector, as suggested by the German communique.. WAR OPF1ICE9 -Whi-.teharr ;-s ow.i. _ .. --:.---~-·..._____