7/12/39 -No.1. 
R.A.F. OVER NORTH GERWlANY. 
The Air Ministry announces:­
Royal Air Force aircraft carried out a successful flight over North Germany yesterday evening. 
There is no truth whatever in the German statements that British aircraft flew over Denmark. 
7/12/39, -No. 2. 
FRENCH OFFICIJ~L COMlmlifI(}UE (Morning) 
The following communique was issued this morning from the French G.H. Q. :­
During the night marked activity of the 
patrols on either side. 
Consequent artillery reaction. 
---oOo--­
A.1:1. Bulletin 208 
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED BEFOHE THE MORNING NE1VSPAPERS OF FRIDAY, 8th DECEMBER, 1939, OR BROADCAST BEFORE 6 A.M. FRIDAY, 8th D:;CEMBER, 
1939. 
AIR MINISTRY CASUALTY COI.foIUHIQUE No. 13 
ROYAL AIR PORCE. 
The Air Ministry regrets to announce the following
casualties on various dates. 

KILLED IN ACTION. 
SMITH 541094 Aircraftman 1st Class, A.U. 
THm:U1.S 550369 Sergeant, c. 

PREVIOUSLY REPORTED. 11l!II SSING11 2 NOV! R:CPORTED 11KILLED IN ACTION" 
HESLOP 566050 Sergeant ,i•• 0. 
LYON 546679 Aircraftman 1st Class, E.V\i . 
MARWOOD 564032 Sergeant, G. iJ • 
WA.RD 564L~77 Sergeant, L.R. 
WILLIJ,J\18 580687 .;-..cting Sergeant, C. G. 

PREVIOUSLY RE:i?ORTED "MI SS ING B:JLIEV:DD KILLED" NOV/ -Ir:tPQJsfED 111;rLLED IN-ACTION11 
• 
PITTS 565352 Sergeant, R.s. 
KILLED ON ACTIVE SERVICE. 
BAKER 41245 Acting Pilot Officer, S.G. 
BARWICK 515587 Sergeant, P.J.W. 
CAMPBELL 1+1345 Pilot Officer, J.C. 
CARTER 40604 Pilot Officer, D.C.R. 
'CHANDLER 39221 Flying Officer, J.F. 
CLARK 70130 SQuadron Leader, C.C. 
DRUM1\IIOND 41834 Pilot Officer, H.K.A. 
DUNHJJVPiiREBLE 42821 ~cting Pilot Officer, R. 
GOLDEN 90L!.139 Sergeant, J.B. 

HAP:DlrAN 628360 Aircraftman 2nd Class, A. 
HUME -40394 ~ilot Officer, O.C. 
JACOBS 41709 Pilot Officer, K.C.H. 
LINTON 740020 Sergeant,~.J. 
MOORES 517390 Corporal, F.J.W., 
MU-SGRAVE 41197 Pilot Officer, J. 

pJffi..r.t .~-­
7l.i-5512 Sergeantp J.W.R. PARTLOW 545847 Aircraftman 2nd Class, I.R.W. RICHJJtDSON 550941 Aircraftman 1st Class, V.W.L. SHEP1f:ftR1f-635980 Aircraftman 2nd Class 9 F. STIRLING 581360 Leading Aircraftman, R.A. 
TjJ:":BQ'i:r~ 
580855 Sergeant~ G.R.C. 
WADE 534389 Aircraftman 1st Class 9 A. 
WATT 16257 SQuadron Leader, P.M₯G., 

· WHEELER 90213 Flying Officer, P.C. Wii°Ji-Ifl.MS 41810 Pilot Officer~ R.M. 
IJiISSING 
BJ:.JUGDR 
iViILLS 

ROBERTSON 
i..LLEN Bi.DES EMERY HENDERSON L\.NDING LEES LLOYD Ji!fCCLEERY 
REEVE ROCKINGHAM ROLFE 
Ti~YLOR 
548036 Jdrcraftman 2nd Class P D. ·:i. 37605 ~cting Flight Lieutenant, R.E. HISSING BELIEVED KILLED 41533 Pilot Officer, · J.-vf .C. 
DIED ON ,·.CTIVE SJ]RVICE. 
742911 291424 524329 565893 619132 647867 841768 632999 753638 885756 539361 552191 
Press & Publicity Branch, Air Ministry,King Charles Street, 
Whitehall, s.w.1. 7th December, 1939. 
Sergeant, J. '. ;!. 
.1',ircraftman, 2nd Classj E.V. 
~ircraftman 1st Class, E.J. 
Corporal, ~.Llc.D. 
Leading .tUrcraftman, G.T. 
..i'.ircrai'tman 2nd Class, R,G, 
~ircraftman 2nd Class, R.W. 
,\.ircraftman 2nd Class, I .. , 
bircraftman 2nd Class, G.F. 
J,ircra.:".'twoman 2nd Class ,Y. ­~ircraftman 2nd Class, s.c.s. 
Aircraftman 1st Class, s. 

7.12~39/No.4, 
PoN c 1598. 
PRESS NOTICE, 
---·--·-·~-·~--· 
Chris~~§_l.VJ~il..§_Sor !..~£'....~.£2:!~~£!....E~et!itLo.r:.a.!X Force ~nd !~E....i.l!~__COJ'.':,!,:i.r~g:i.._of E~£.~.:..-o.~ ~:'.~.§;;!}Y. 
The Postmaster General annou.nces t'.:-mt_, 2.s it is impossible with any degree of accuracy either to estimat e t he vollune of the Christmas Mails intended for the Bri tish E:xpeditionary Force or to foresee the conditions under whicL th"'Y ₯tU.L have t o be. rHmdled. in this country and overseas, it is not practicabl.e tc f i x 2ny dafinit:.:: ·iCi.test time of posting to ensure delivery by Christmas Day of correspondence and parcels addressed. to memb6rs of' Hi s liiajesty' s Arwy and Royal Air Force serving with the British Expeditionary F'orce. 
Letters and parcels intended for Christmas delivery should accordingly be posted. a.s early ss possible, and the public is strongly advised not to leave the posting l at er than the 12th of December. 
The 	following regulations should be strictly observed:­
(1) 	
Letters and parcels must be fully a.mi clearly addressed. 

(2) 	
Parcels must be strongly packed ; a coveri:.'."lg of linen, calico or canvas is recornme:1d.ed for all parcelse 


(3) 	Fruit, perishable articles, bottles, pudding basins and the like are prohibited~ 
As regards civilia".1 mails~ the public is reminded that ·transport is slower than in peace time. :Moreover, as the large increase of foreign correspondence at the ~Christmas Season will throw heavy additional work on the Censorship~ corre:spond1mts are particularly re<i΅ested, in order to avoid delay~ to write briefly, legibly and, so far as is possible, in English. Early posting is essential. 
Letters to persons in em~my territory other than prisoners of war and interned civilians are not. at J?resent pennitted., whether sent directly or through an intermedia.ry~ 
GENERAL POST OFFICE. 	'7th December, 1939. 
J/12/3.? -No. 5. 

The Controller of the f;nglo-It::'tlian Clearing Office announc~;s tha t up to the close of business on the 30th Now~mber, 1939, £19,320,816 had befOn credited to the Sterling General Account. This sum has been allocated and payment made as un3.er: ­
A~located. 	Paid. 
£. 	£. 
Current Trade Debts:­
Sterling New Account (a) ..•••...•.•..••••• 5,527,528 5,527,528 Sterling Coal Sub-.Acco·~rnt ••...•• , •••.•••.• 4, 855, 215 4, 726, 298 Sterling Sub-Account "D" ••...•....•.•••.•• 4,328,366 4,114,081 
Sterling Arrears Account "A": ­
Trade Debt Arrears (b) , • • • . • • . • . • • • • • • • • 2, 952, 607 2,936,308 Istituto Nazionale per i Cambi con 1 •·Es tero • • • . . • . • • • • • . • . 490, 000 490,000 
11 011
Sterling Arrears Account 
Financial r e;nittances .......... ........... 1,166' 052 	1,131,636 

Unallocated .... . ...... ' .................... . 48 

£ 19,320,816 £ 18,925,851 
(a) 
Under the Clearing Agreement dated 6th November, 1936. 

(b) 	
Includes amounts dealt with through the Sterling Arrears Account "B" of the Clearing Agreement dated 6th November, 1936, 


At the close of Business on the 30th November, 1939, payments had been made to United Kingd.Qn creditors in respect of lire deposits made on the following 
dates:­ 
Sterling Arrears Account "A"  ••••• , 10th November,  1939.  
11  Coal Sub-Account  ••••••  9th October,  1939.  
11  Sub-Account "D"  (Goods)  •••••• 23rd June,  1939.  

7th Decenber, 1939, 

A...T\JNOUNJEMENT BY THE CONTROLIBR OF THE ANGLO-ROUlvt!l..NIAN OL!!lARING OFFICB· 
ANG·LO-RomrJ.A.tTI.AN PAYMENl'S AGREBMENTS. 
" 
2nd September, 1938 and 12th July, 1939. 
The Controller of the Anglo-Rou.manian Clearing Office announces that the ~11ount received into the Clearing Accounts in respect of debts due for Roumanian goods from 12th September, 193l?> , up to the close of business on 30th November, 1939, including balances totalling £177,414 derived fi'om the previous Jl...greements, was £5, 561, 886; after allowing i'or Oil Companies' transactions under .Article 3(1), the sum of £4, 859, 723 was available, of which £347;3~4 was made available during November, 1939. In audition, the sum of £20,4-04 was advanced by the National Bank of Roumania under .Article 14(4) for Clearing purposes. This advance and the sum of £645j 032 representing outstanding advances from the previous Agreement) are repayable in accordance with the provisions of Article 14(4). 
ALLOCATION AND DISPOSAL. 
?aid and Allocated. in course of' payment. 
£.  
Roumanian Fublic Debt etc. Short Term Banking Credits, Trade Debts  ••••etc.  •••••••••••••••••••••••••• . ........................ .  89G,707 96,200  742,599 79, 725  

(1) 
Outstanding Debts 

(i) 
D.ie before 1st August, 1935 •••••••••••••••••••• 268,072 204,249 

(ii) 	
Due after 31st July, 1935 for L~ports of United Kingdom Goods before 12th September,1938 188,897 188,897 



(2) 
CuITent Exports (United Kin~dom Goods Account) 	854,359(a) 798, 52--1­

(3) 
Roumanian Goverrunent 1:-\lrchases (United Kingdom C':r0ods) 254,187 209,972 

(4) 
Compensation Trade:­


(i) United Kingdom G~ods ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 540,645(a) 509,336 
(ii) Goods from any Country••••••••••••••••••••••••• 475,705(a) 431,651 Miscellaneous Remittances (General United Kingdom Account) 569,789(a) 565,294 Shipping and Insurance Remittances (:til.scellaneous Account) 15,646 5,000 
National Bank of Roumania •••••·•·•••••••••••••••••••••••• 719,920 719,920 
£4,,880,127 
(a) 	This sterling is held by the Clearing Office in Sub-Accounts in the nemes of Roumanian authorised banks. To settle their debts due to United Kingdom G.!:,-,.i:::::_t:.::~-:~ , Roumanian Debtors rrrust pu:cchase this sterling from these authorised banks, at ,_.,.r,c, :'' request the Clearing Office makes pa,,vment. The Clearing Office is not aware of ths­extent to which the unpaid balances may have been sold f urwLri. 
7th December, 1939. 
?_~_39___N_o_._7. 
ANNOUNJBM:EI,i1_' BY TKE: CONTROL:΅<:R .OF TI-I8 ANGI..0-TURIUSH CJ.,:E:A....uNG-OFFICE. 
1'~NG1;()-'l'URKISH 'l'RA.DE AM:> CLEP.JTING AC.RlillvIENT. 
The Controller of the Anglo-'l.'u:ckish Clearing Office an.YJ.ounces that up to the elose of business on 30th Novern.ber, 1939, t he amounts received into the Clearing Account and t he vm·ious Sub-Accounts, and t he amounts paid fro;r~ the latter under advices received f rom t he Central Bank of Turkey, were as follows:­
Account. 
Payments. 
Sub-Acc01mt A )  Outstanding and  
cur~·e..11t  trade  
Sub-Account X  ~  debts.  ......' .............  1,334,178  · 1,237,696  

Sub-Account B Central Bank of Turkey 974,577 974,577 
Su;))-Account 0 Compensation Trade•••••••••• 1,155,565 831,766 
Sub-Account D Special exports for liquidation of outstanding debts•••••••••• 2,914 2,914 
3,467,234 3,046,953 
____...,___________ 
The amount of deposits awaiting trax1sfer on 30th November, 1939; was approXirnately /~2, 041, 000. 
At t he close of business on 30th November, 1939, payments had been made to United Kingdom creditors from Sub-Account A in respect of deposits made in the Special Account of the Central Bank of Turkey on 8th December, 1936. 
7th December, 1939. 
EMPIRE AFFAIRS~ U12/39 No.8. 
~~ STUFF TO GIVE THE TROOPS 
The Canadian soldier, as everybody knows, can fight. He can 
also apparently eat. This will be the regulation daily diet of 
Canadian troops on active service: 
1 lb each of bread, beef and potatoes.
6 ozs.fresh vegetables.
3 oz.s.. 
each of bacon and white sugar. 
2 o~s~ each of beans, jam and butt.er. 
1 oz? each of cheese, and powder or evaporated milk. 
t OZo each of split peas and salt.
1 oz.. coffee. 
4 OZ.o tea. 
The diet is estimated to contain 4,000 calories, ample to 
keep a man..'fit, even in war timeo 
But the Department of National Defence is not being complacent 
even about these generous provisions. Army cooks are being trained 
to avoid the dullness usually associated with camp culinary efforts, 
.and experiments will be continued to determine if a still better 
diet cannot be arrangedo 
If the above supplies are unobtainable, the soldier will 
feed instead on: 
Biscuits for bread~ 
1 lb 12 oz., of mutton, instead of beef'. 
(1 lb 12 oz. of pork once a week)
4 ozs. of canned corn or canned tomatoes for fresh 
vegetables 
2 ozs. of rice for beans. 
2 oz.s. of corn syrup or prunes, for jam. 
++++++++ 
MINISTRY OF LABOUR .AND NATIONAL SERVICE. 
PRESS NOTICE. 9/7.12.39. 
ROAD HAULAGE CENTRAL WAGES BO~ 
The Road Haulage Central Wages Board at their meeting on 5th and 6th December, considered the objections lodged to their proposals for the remuneration of road haulage workers and the reports of the Area Boards thereon and decided with certain minor modification to submit their proposals to the Minister of Labour and National Service with a view to his making a Road Haulage Wages Order which will give statutory effect to these proposals. 
Ifand when the Minister of Labour and National Service makes a 
Road Haulage Wages Order due Notice will be given of the issue of the 
Order and of the date on which i t will take effect. 

Press Office, 
Ministry of Labour and National Service. 

Telephone: Whitehall 6200. 
H. Q.157-500 L.I. 

PRESS NOTICE.
·-­

ELECTll~CITY (SlTPLY) _ACTS, 1882 TO 1936.!. 

The Minister of Labour and National Service hereby gives notice that as soon as may be after the 9th day of January, 1940, he will designate to the West :Midlands Joint Electricity Authority, in accorda..."1ce with Section 2 (9) of Part I of the },irst Annex to the Schedule to the West Midlands Electricity District Order, 1925, the employees' organisations having rr.embers in the employment of authorised Undertakers in the District, in order that the organisations so designated may choose a representative of persons employed in connection with the supply of electricity in the District to be a member of the Joint Authority. 
Any employees' organisation which is desirous of being considered by the Minister for dE:.signation under the said Section 2 (9) should make application in writing to the Minister not later than the 6th day of January, 1940, on the form provided for the purpose, of which copies may be obtained from the Secretary, Ministry of Labour and National Service, Montagu House, Whitehall, London, S.W.1. 
Press Office, iVtl.nistry of Labour and National Service, Montagu House, Whitehall, S.W.1. 
Telephone No: Vrnitehall 6200. 
H.Q.158-490 L.I. 
EMPIRE AFFAIRS 7.12.39 -No. 11. 
HEALTH IN FIJI 
There is in f ar away Fiji, among the authorities at any rate$' little trace of a dolce far niente attitude towards life. The islanders and the Colony of Fiji is composed of some 250 islands --have to study closely world market conditions, for their chief natural resources, which include sugar, copra, molasses, b;p.nanas pineapples, citrus, and beche-de-mer. There is considerable competition, and, as is revealed in the Annual Report for Fiji, 1938 (H.M. Stationery Office, No. 1910. price 1/3), developments in such countries as Australia and New Zealand closely affect the economy of the Colony. 
In the autumn of l ast year, a new Governor, Sir Harry Luke, assumed ~charge9 and though there was little striking in the way of material progress to record in the first year of his office, a fresh drive has been made to improve health conditions in the islands. 
In the country districts, moreover, a soil sanitation campaign was carried out by the Government, in co-operation with the Rockfeller Foundation. 
Throughout Fiji, too, there was seen a considerable improvement in domest l c hygi ene, this being a most desirable development, in view of the high infant morte.lity among the Fij iar:s. Women workers in every village come forward voluntarily to inspect children and advise mothers, with the result, not only that the prestige of the Fijian woman has been raised, but also that the Fijians now realise that the preservation of their r ace lies l argely in their own hands. 
---000--­
AIR MINISTRY BULLETIN. 7.12.39, -No•12. 
(Not to be quoted as an Air Ministry announcement.) 
REBORN SQUADRON HAS A BIRTHDAY. 
No.269 Squadron of the RoA.F. which was reformed at Bircham Newton, Norfolk, December 7, 1936, to~day (Thursday) celebrates the third birthday of its second period of existence. The Squadron, which belongs to the Coastal Corrunand, has a proud record since the outbreak of war. It has already flovm 3 9000 hours on long distance tasks over the sea in all weathersj including a considerable amount of night flying. Its aircraft have travelled at least 450,000 miles,­an average of 6,700 miles daily, since the start of hostilities. 
The Squadron has brought in detailed reports, for safety and contraband purposes, on 680 m0rchant vessels. It has also sighted 7 enemy submarines, 5 of which were attacked unaided by its aircraft. 
No.269 Squadron has an ancie~t ship in full sail as its emblem "Omnia Videmus" (We see everything) as its mottoo Since being reformed the Squadron, which was stationed at Abbotsinch in peacetime, has occupied a place of honour in a number of mas s flights~ It was chosen to give the air salute to Their Majesties the King and Queen when they opened the Empire Exhilii tion at Glasgow last year. 
Before being disbanded after the 1914-1 8 war, No. 269 Squadron was a se~plane unit operating in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Red Sea area, from the old aircraft carriers Ben Na~hree and Raven, the latter a converted merchantm2.'J. captUI'ed from the enemy0 
A large company of distinguished flying men have graduated from the Squadrono 
&_R MINISTRY BULLETIN 7/12/39· -No. 13. 
The Air I'Jiinistry announces: 
An air raid warning was sounded in the Firth of Forth area shortly after midday. 
---oOo--­
EMPIRE AFFAIRS. 


TRINIDAD'S GREETINGS AN ISLAlm UNANIMOUS FOR BRITAIN. 
From Trinidad --the island near Venezuela which Columbus discovered and which has belonged to the British Crown since 1802­has just arrived a series of loyal messages from widely differing 
associations: from farmers, Friendly Soc~eties, teachers and trade 
unions. 
All of them denounce --to quote the r esolution sent by the Coptic Orthodox Church of Ethopia in Trinidad --"the German Dictator who means to stop at nothing in his plan for world conquest", and pledge the Colony's loyalty to the King and its support of British arms. 
The following messages are typical :­
"Our allegiance to His Majesty's Throne and Person has not waned one jot or tittle, as is characteristic of His Colonialsa" The Federated Workers' Trade Union. 
"We, the Shoemakers of the Colony, in meeting assembled, do pledge our loyalty to His Majesty's Government and express our willingness and desire to do all in our :power to aid the Empire"a St. Crispin's Shoemakers' Association. 
"This Union de-:nonst ratcs its loyalty to His Majesty's Throne and Person in this time when the principles of democracy, truth and justice are assailed." The Printers' Industrial Union. 
Other ·
messages were r eceived from :­
The Agricultural Society of Trinidad and Tobago. 
The Ancient Order of Foresters' Friendly Society. _ 
The British West Indies and British Guiana Teachers' 
Association. 
The Lodge Eastern Star, No.368. s.c. 
The San Fernando Landlords' Association. 
The South Trinidad Cane Farmers' Association. 
The Trinidad and Tobago Union of Friendly Societies. 
The Hindu Sanat an Dharma Associationo 
The population of Trinidad and Tobago approaches half a 
million. The white population is chiefly composed of English, 
Portuguese, Fre*-lh and Spanish. There is also a large community 
of West Indians. 
-----000----­

(Not to be quoted as an Air Liinistry announcement). 
SINGEING THE ENTI:IiY' S WINGS. 
V!hen enemy aircraft, over the Horth Sea, yesterday (Wednesday) attempted to intercept isolated :patrols of the Coastal Command of the R.A.F., they went home -if indeed they ever reached their bases -with wings considerably singed. 
In two encounters reported, enemy machines -giant Dornier flying boats -were beaten off, badly damaged, after combats which again demonstrated the superior fighting qualities of the British air-crews. 
One Coastal Command aircraft was far out fr'om 1ts base north of Heligoland Bight, when it sighted a Dornier.. The Do~nier was prowling for prey, air or sea-borne. But the B~itish aircraft became the hunter. 
11 I climbed and took up position into the sun11 says llhe p1lot. 
11 The enemy aircraft sighted us, and on our first attack, turned in to meet us. 
11The enemy aircraft then kept close to the water ancl behind us, turning when we did. 
"I managed to stall turn; and carried out two quite gooa. attacks in this way on his starboard quarter11 • 
In other words, to position himself for effective attack, the :pilot cleverly stall-turned, that is, suddenly put his aircraft inPo an almost vertical climb and, as it lost speed to the stalling :point, turned and dived down on the berun of the enemy, his machine-guns :plastering the Dornier With lead at each dive. 
11Af'ter my third attack", 
the pilot continues, "I climbed to 2,000 feet nnd carried out aru-·•her attack on his tail. 
"One long burst was 63en to enter around the engines
and main plane", 
Crippled, the German aircraft sought refuge in the mist and low clouC1 to lira.p towards its base. 
The second encounter took place 200 miles from land, A Coastal Oornmand aircraft sighted a Dornier, ancl for half an hour :pursued it in and out of clouds making six attacks and pouring r-ound after round of armnunition intC" 
its adversary. 
Viith j_ts rear gun out of action and oil fuel pouring out from both sides, the Dornier made off, swaying
into the clouds. 
11But, say the British pilot, 11it is very doubtful if he would reach his base". 
FROM AIR AFFAIRS. 
7/12/39 No. 16. 
Not to be published before the morning newspapers of FRIDAY, 8th DECEMBER, 1939, or broadcast before 6 a.m., FRIDAY, 8th DECEMBER, 1939· 
NEV'/ ZEALAND AIR ASSISTANCE TO UNITED KINGDOM. 
The Ai:r Ministr;y-announces:­
Before the war a mobile Flight, consisting of a number of officers and airmen of the Royal New Zealand Air Force was forming in the United Kingdom to take over s orrie o f the Vie l lington bomber aircraft which the New Zealand Government had ordered, and to fly these aircraft to New Zealar:d. Immediately war was declared, the Government of Ifo1c1 Zea land readily placed these officers and airmen, t ogether with the Wellington aircraft, at the disposal of the United Kingdom Government. 
The question of f orming a New Zealand Squadron i n the Roya 1 Air Force is r..oiiv being actively considered.• 
AIR MINISTRY, 
WHITEHALL, 
S.W.l. 
7/12/39 -No.17. 
INDIANS JOIN THE BRITISH FORCES. (Issued by the authority of the India Office wh~.·· should not be quoted. ) 
It has already been announced that Nawabzada 
M. Eh~esham Ali Khan, son of His Highness the Nawab of 
Jaora, has enlisted in ~he Royal Air Force as a Rigger 
Mechanic. In addition f Mr. Turab Ali Khan Aga has been granted a commission in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and Mr. Indra Chatterji has been accepted for training as a pilot. Mr. Go pal Singh Ra thore has been offered enlistment as an Aircrafthand (General Duties) and other Indians who have volunteered for the R.A.F. are under consideration. 
Mr. S.G. Karmakar, Master Mariner and former Cadet of the R.I.N.S. Dufferin, has been commissioned as a temporary Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Reserve, and has joined for duty. 
Mr. Pesi Chichgar, a Parsi gentleman who held nn Indian Army Commission during the last war, has now, at the age of 48, enlisted in the ranks of the Veterans' Battalion of the Queen's Westminster Rifles• 
U12/39 No.18. 
ENEMY AIRCRAFT DRIVEN OFF. 
The Air Ministry announces: 
Eight enemy aircraft approached the coast in the Firth of Forth area shortly after midday today. Fighter aircraft of the Royal Air Force were sent up to intercept them and contact was made about 12.45 p.. m. 
The enemy were driven off and one of th~ir 
aircraft was seen to be hit. No bombs were dropped and the"raiders passed11 signal was sounded after about 
half an hour. 
++++++++ 
FROM AIR AFFAIR& ,. 
If 

The War Office, London, S. W. 1. 7th Decemler, 1939. 

The War Office announce that r egisters of horse owners and horse dealers are being nrepared. 
Owners of horses of the following tynes and s:pecifications are invited to comnnrnicat e with the Under Secretary of State, (" " G 4 ) The ~ar Office, London, S.W.1., with a view to their
1..:...i •lVi • • • ' 
names and addresses 1eeing registered, together with the number and rlarticulars of any suitable animB.ls they may wish to offer for disposal for Army pur9oses. 
A Sfft)arate register v.rill be made for dealers, who should 
s t s. t c:; ,  1vhen  re~·-yi st r::,r ing9  t he  m1mber  of  sui t oble  horses  they have  on  
the ir hanch: a t  nr esent  and t he  numb er s  t hey  would be  likely to be  
2ble  t o  s11pnl y,  should  ~urch0sing on  8  l ar ger  scale be resorted  to.  
All apnlicati ons,  whether  from privat e  owners  or  dealers,  will  
r eceive  equal  consider a tion.  

'11he War Office wish to make it clear "ihat such r egistration ioes not entail any obligation on that department to purchase the animals registered, nor any obligation fJn the nart of the ovmers to retain any animal so registered for War Denartment :purposes. 
No i mmedi ate ~1rchase can be guaranteed, and all purchases will be governed ly the requirements of the Army as to the type of animal and time when required. 
rt must be unders tood that all horses may be required after nurchase for service with any of the Allied Armies and that no guar antee as regar·ds the ultim2te dis·•osal of horses r,iassing into the hands of an Allied Government ce.n be given. 
All anim<ils to be nurchased-will be insnected by an officer of the War Department as to their suitability for the .Army 9 and will be required to pass the usual veterinary examination, before the purchase is comDleted. 
owners / 
2. 

om·1c 1·s '~i' ctnirr.~;ls, once lElvinp registered, should at once inform the ~ar Office as to any c&sualty to or the non-availability of any animal r "gist8red. 
Specifice:~ti0ns of animals that may nossibly be required 
are as f.ollo'!iS ~ ­Horses of the hunter type, between the ages of
CA ITALRY 'l'ROOP:SR. 
5 G.:.nd 10 ;years, and from 15. 1. to 16 hands in 
height.
Deen bodi ed9 with short back, well s~rung rihs, 
with substance, qua lity and true action. 

The maxi mum price t o be paid is £60. 

;\ct i ve light vanner t yl)e, between the ages of 5 and 10 years, and from 15. li to 15.3 hands in hei ght. 
Str0n1? quarters, nlenty of bone and true action, and capabl e of ymlling a bif weight over rough or br oken rround. 
The maxi mum T)r ice to b e paid is £60. 
After acknowledgement of regi stration, notification of insDections with a view to nurr··hase wi 11 be made to vendors by n0tices in the rress. It will be unnecessary for any further cotrnnunicat irrns to be forwarded t, the War Office. 
~run;_~J:1RX ..J?R_£1JPRJ.iY 
fRE_$.§._ NQTICE..::... 
CONTEQL...QF M~;RCURY AND MERCURIAL COMPOUNDS. 
In pursuance of Regulations 55 and 98 of the Defence Regulation0, 'l 939 9 the Minister of Supply has issued the Control of Mercury (No. 2) Order, 1939, dated 5th Decem"ber 9 ·1939., 
This 0rder amends the Schedule to the Control of Mercury Order, 1939 9 dated 3rd October 9 1939, which laid dovm maximum prices fo1' certain mercury compounds. The increased prices now authorised are due to the marked advance in the price of mercury metal since the issue of the original Order. 
Copies o:": the new Order, which comes into operation on the 7th December, 1939, may be purchased from H.M. Stationery Office~ or through any bookseller. 
Enq_u_:Lries shoul.cl be addressed to the Ministry of Supply (Code HA) 9 Raw MateriaJ.s Department (Mercury Control), Shell-Mex House ,. Strand9 London9 W.C.2. 
Ministry_o.f S_~J?..12J..Re 
NOT FOR PUBLICATION O 
AdelJ2b:L_ 


7TH D3Gl~MBE~li_ 	1932__.__~·.?...!. 21 . . M.A •. F. 113. 
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTUl1E NTNOUNCEME::J1' . 
BRITAIJ:.T ' S HU::IS.SRY I:TDUSTRY . 
The nursery industry in Britain is reno1rmed1 not only fo:" the great variety of plants which a:;."e grown, an.d the new varieties raised1 but also :::'or the high standard. of quality of the plant s mar'.·;:eted. During recen t years the industry lJ.as not only supplied plant s for· the gardens of this country but has had an export tracle thr·'.Jughout the world.. 
This industry has suffered severely as a result of the outbreak of war which occur•red when this seasonal trade was co.rnrne~1cing and when the nurseries Yvere better stock ed than ever before. 
It i s very desirable that the gardeners of Britain should support t he industry in war-tir:rie 1 s8 tnat it can 1{eep its labour9 continue propagation and so maintain a stock of plants. Failing such support the nurseries would quic1{ly deteriorate arid the country' s gardening supplies would S"'...!ffer for many ~rears to come . 
It is of course most irn~9ort8.nt in vu:u• tir.1e that a vegetable garden should be rlm in the most efficient manner and. should be enlar-gcd where possible. Nevertheless flov;ers and pl::.u1ts of an ornamental ch aracter also he-eve their place in a wo.r-tirne garden 9 for not only do they 1Jrighten our 1ives9 but they provide a hobby and. a j)eac e:ful pas:.irne v1hen other recreations are curtailed. 
7th December 9 1939. No. 22 
M.A.F. 112 MINI STRY OP AGRICUJBURE ANNOUNCEMENT. 

One A£re To Qu,al~..f.:7-. f.or Ploughing Grant. 
Guar anteed Price for Rye. 
The minimum acreage eligible to receive the 
ploughing up grant of £2 per acre is to be reduced from 
2 acres to 1 acre. 

Rye will receive a guaranteed minimum price, on similaI' lines to those which now guarantee the farmer a fair price for growing oats. 
Both these extensions of agricultural policy were announced in the House of Commons to-day Thursday by Sir Reginald Dorman-Smi.th, Minister of Agriculture, in reply to questionso They will r equire Parliamentary sanction, but the necessary Bill will be introduced very shortly. 
The reduction of the acreage minimum will encourage smallholders and crofters in making their contribution to the food production campaign. It will probably affect from 75,000 to 100,000 acres in the United Kingdom and when Sir Edward Ruggles-Brise asked the question that produced this answer, he was voicing pleas that have come forward. from many farmers in a small way of business. · 
The freedom in choice of crops on newly ploughed land that earns the £2 grant will be particularly usef'ul in this connection to the smallholder~ who in some respects can benefit even better than the large farmer by growing as much as possible of his own feeding stuffs. 
An unremunerative price for rye has been the chief factor against a crop that is often safer and more productive than other cereals on some soils. It is especially well suited to the light sandy soils such as are found in the Eastern Counties. 
If necessary it can be used for bread, bu~ its chief value is for feeding livestock. The acreage in the United Kingdom under rye has fallen to about 18,000 from over 100,000 .at the end of the last war~ 
Rye will be subsidised, if 9rices make a subsidy necessary, on an acreage basis, just as oat-growing is now subsidised• The farmer growing an average crop of rye will be able to count upon a guaranteed retur•n, whether he uses it to feed his stock or sells it off the farm. 
EMPIRE AFFAIRS 7/12/39 -No.2.3.. 
MAKING THE ENEMY PAY CANADA'S PLANS TO LOOK AFTER HER WAR CASUALTIES 
Canada's enemies may be made to pay, in currency, for any expenditure on pensions and medical treatment for Canadian seamen and fishermen killed or wounded through enemy action, it is announced by the Hon. Ian Mackenzie, Minister of Pensions and National Health. 
And, in this war, those who suffer will not have to wait for redress, since the Canadian Government has already drawn up regulations for granting immediate aid, and later. will seek to recoup its losses from the enemy. 
In the Great War compensation of this kind was obtained only through action of the Reparations Commission, which took many years to function. 
7/12/39 No, ~ 
' 
The following "Searo.en and their Dependents", is issued to the Press for such use as they desire to make of it. It must not be quoted as an offi~ial Admiralty statement. 
SEAMEN AND THEIR DEPENDENTS 

Lo~d Nuffield has most generously promised £25,000, 
pl'Ovided another £251 000 is collected, for the appeal which Earl Baldwin of Bewdley ms making on behalf of seamen and their dependents. 
The money will be administered by King George's Fund for Sailors and will be made in imraediate grants to the Nautical C;ti.arities dealing with relief of distress amongst Officers and Men of the Royal Navy, Mercantile Navy and Fishing Fleets, and their dependents, caused by this war. 
It will be used only for the relief of cases of thas e injured, or dependents of those who lose their lives in this war. 
King George's Fund is a central body which receives donations for the Nautieal Charities and distributes them according to their needs in the same way as King Edward's Hospital Fund does for the Metropolitan Hospitals. Donors may, therefore, be absolutely certain that the money will go only to the Societies which require 
it, 2nd that it will be used for the purpose for which it is intended. Lord Baldwin is making a B.B.C. appeal on Sunday, 17th December at 8.40 p.m,, but donations may be sent now to:­Earl Baldwin of Bewdley, Trinity · House, London, E.c.3. 
Amongst the first donations is a gift of money given by the crew of a captured German merchant vessel to the Captain of the· shi~ which made the capture, with the express wish that it should be 
given to a Fund for the relief of widows and ehildren of British sailors killed during the war, as a token of the appreciation of the treatment they had received whilst prisoners on board the shipQ, 
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7/12/39 -No. 221 
OFFICIAL ADMIRALTY COMMUNI(}UE 
The Secretary of the Admiralty regrets to announce that H. M.Trawler 1\\lashingtoni of 209 tons was sunk by a mine yesterday 6th December in the 
North Sea with the loss of eight lives. The next of kin have been informed. 
--.--000--­
ADMIRALTY 7th December, 1939 •. 
.
.......... '"' .-.:.-....... ,~_,..... ...-.. 

7/12/39 No.26 PRESS NOTICE. 
We are asked to announce by the DJepot for knitted garments that anyone who is making knitted garments and comforts for the navy, is asked not to send them direct to individual ships, but to the "Depot for knitted garments for the Royal Navy," lla, West Halkin Street, s.w.1., where they will be sorted and despatched to wherever the need is greatest. This will ensure an even distribution to all ships and sections, and avoid over-lapping. It will also avoid the necessity of appeals being made for particular ships. 
This does not, of course, apply to individual gifts, or mean that you cannot send that nice pullover you have knitt.ed to your husband, but that you are asked to send any garments for general distribution through the "Depot for knitted garments for the Royal Navy." 
It is particularly emphasised that packages sent in this way, go not only to ships of the Royal Navy, but also to the Royal Marines, and all sections manned by the R.N.R. and R.N.V.R~, 
including armed merchantmen, minesweepers, trawlers and drifte~s, etc: The most urgent needs are:-(1) sea-boot stockings, 
(2) 	pullovers, (3) scarves and (4) helmets. The address, once again, is:­
The Illepot 	for knitted garments for the Royal Nzvy, lla West Halkin Street, 
s. w. 1. 
FROM NAVAL AFFAIRS. 
FOR PRESS AND BROADCAST 1L~2/39 

LA'IS:c HOURS FOR DAl;T.Q]:S 
The Home 2ecretary has made an Order amending the Public Entertainmcn-Cs Orde:;:> so as to pe!.":r.1:i t. ~-i11bJ.ic dances to continue after r _ p... mo J:ihe Orde::-appJ..ies to all parts of the country exc·.,pt to T!:i.eat:._··d1-.a;.1d in the West End of London (defined in thu Orccr co the Central London area)~ Chi~f Officers o:f Pclic.e ure howe~rnr empoweJ>ed to prohi-oit or restrict the Loldlng of a.ances ln any :part:i..:;ular premises where they consider that spe8:L al risks would be involved in the event o~ an air raido 
As re_;ards the Cent:'al Londcn areap the Cornrnissj_oner of Police of the Metro:•0lis wtll be prepared to consi.der applicat ::.ons made fo1• the holding of dRnces u.p t.o a later hour t~1an that at present perrni ttedo 
+++.+++++ 
HOME OFFIC]lo 
AIR MINISTRY BULLETIN 7/12/39 -No.28. 
The Air Ministry announces: 
Shortly before the engagement in the Firth of Forth area previously Feported in which eight enemy aircraft were driven off1 two enemy aircraft were encountered off the north-east coast by R.A.F. fighte~s. 
The enemy at once turned back but were pursued out to sea -one of them being seen to be hit. 
FROM AIR AFFAIRS. 
EMPIRE AFFAIRS . ]_:' _.1 :?_,._)_9,;____ PREPARING !'ERODROMF':J IN C1\NADA. 

--------···--·-·-'-··---·· 
·-~-· -·---·-·-~·· -·..--···­It is fortunate that Canada, where civil a"riat ion has progressed at an amazingly f o.st rate, has so many airports which are available for use in the great Empire Air Training Schemec These sites will serve as a nucleus; they are ready for use until the new aerodromes required ar e constructed, By arrangement between the Ministers of National Defence and Transport in Canada, the Air Services Branch, Department of Transport, is c.harged with the selection, survey: and construction of all airports which may be required for the a~ r:· service tr·ainj_ng programme. Reconnaissance and survey parties ar•3 now in the; field, headed by men with long experience in tl1is wo1"k in the maritime provinces, Quebec, Ontario .' Manitoba, Saoka·t,chew8.n End Albertao It has been necessary to increase the fieJd staff, and advantage has been tal{en of a tir.:0l;y offer ~if the Government of Ontario to place nt the disuosal of the Domlnion Government a number of a :;_rcr2.ft and experienced pilots L°)r work in the emergency" Two aircraft and eight pilots are now on loar1 from t~e provincial air service of Ontario, and are wo~king wi t h these reconnaissance and survey parties placed in the field b~ the civil aviation division and on transportation duty. Fur·ther valuable assistance has been rena,:;:ned by the Government of Ont11.rio in this work in Ontario, by making av'.1il:=i.ble from their provincial Department o±.' JUghways experience..1 l and s·:irvey parties who are making the detailed contou::'.' surveys required of any new aerodrome sites after they are sel ected by the Department of Transport Officers and a~proved by representatives of the R.C. A.F. 
It is hoped to complete the airport selection and survey programme before severe weather sets in" Th ~s will enable detailed plans and specifications to be p:eepd.!'3d during -'.:.he winter so that the necessary grading , drainage and sarfacing work on the new aerodromes now in uae may ne rushed RS soon as weather permits next spring. 
The selection of sites this year wil l aJso enable buildings to be erected for the housing of men ; ha:.:1gC::lr't) J'o::" -~he ai.rcraft, workshops for their maintenance acd other necessary f2ci lities to be installed 
with the least possible delc.y) Much of this woor•:.-C cc.'G1 pPucee<.1 du:i'Lrlg the winter months 0 
7/12/39 -NO• 30 
nnnsTRY OF FOOD ANNOUNCEMENT 
DRIED FRUITS FOR CHRISTMAS 
The Ministry of Food announce that in the period 17th September ·to 6th December they have dis­tributed to the trade 89,000 tons of dried fruits, including 
32,000 tons of currants 
30,000 " " sultanas 
H
10,000 "· dates 
II II
5,600 figs. 
The total quantity of dried fruits normally handled by the trade in a f ull year is about 170,000 tons. 
---oOo--­
7th DECEMBER. 1939 
.. 
7/12/32 -No.31. 
FRENCH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE 
The following official communique was issued this evening by French G.H.Q: 
A quiet day on the wholei Patrols on either side. Infantry fire along the Rhine. 
URGENT~ _7/12/39--=-No. 32. 
DOVER STRAIT ~DDITION~L TRAFFIC REGULATIONS. 
Vessels anchoring in Dungeness East Road are on no account to pass North Eastward of a line dra~m. in a 300° 
Direction from a red and white conical light-buoy exhibiting a white flashing light every 10 seconds situated 
in latitude 50°57 minutes 30 seconds North, longitude 1°05 minutes 30 seconds East. Vessels proceeding between Dungeness and the Downs must pass Southward of the above mentioned light-buoyo 
A second light-buoy, conical in shape, painted black and white and exhibiting a white flashing light every 
5 seconds is established in latitude 50 degrees 58 minutes 36 seconds North, longitude 1°02 minutes 48 seconds East. 
Vessels are warned that the channel between Folkestone andthe main channel through Folkestone Gate is 6 cables wide each side of the line drawn 140° and 320° through the light on the end of Folkestone Pier. 
Vessels disregarding these traffic regulations do so at their peril. 
ADMIRALTY, Whitehall, S.W.1. 
7th December~ 1939. 
zt12z39 

AIR MINISTRY BULLETIN 
NORTH SEA AIR ENCOWT~RS. 
The Air Ministry announces: 
Air craft of the R.A.F. Coastal Command engaged the enemy on several occasions over the North Sea yesterday. One aircraft attacked and seriously drunaged a Dornier seaplane, firing a large number of rounds from both front and rea~ guns. Oil was seen to be pouring from the enemy aircraft and it is considered most improbabie that it was able to reach its base.• 
A second Dornier was sighted and pursued by another of our aircraft which made three attacks on it. The enemy aircraft was hit in the engine and main plane by several long burst of fire but was l ater lost sight 0f in the clouds. 
One of our patrolling aircraft failed to return. It is believed that this may have been the aircraft referred to in a German High Command corrrcimnique as having come into collision with a GePman aircraf t in an engagement which re­sulted in both falling into the sea. 
Unofficial note for the guidance of the press:­The first t vvo :!_)S.r agr aphs refer to and amplify Air Ministry Bulletin No. 213 usingeing the enemy's wings". 
---oOo--­
FROI.'I AIR AFFAIRS. 
AIR MINISTRY. 7/12/39. -NO. 34. 
ADD. FIRTH OF FORTH RAID. 
(Not to be quoted as an Air Ministry announcement), 
A lighthouse-keeper on the Inchcape Rock had a grandstand view of the second phase of this morning's action between British fight ers and Heinkel bombers off the East co23t of Scotland. He was within 300 yards of the opposing aircraft. 
He saw the enemy raiders as they swept by in close formation from the North East; he saw the British fighters dive to attack, and watched as one of them circled the lighthouse when turning in to engage the enemy. And he saw the raiders finally turn East to escape out to sea.