AIR MINISTRY No. 21 99. 8/11/40 - No. 1. AIR MINISTRY AND MINISTRY OF HOME SECURITY COMMUNIQUE# Enemy air attacks on this country were resumed shortly after dark yesterday and were concentrated mainly on London and the Home Counties, though a few bombs were also dropped in the Midlands, in a town in South- West England and at widely separated points elsewhere in the country# In London and the Home Counties the raids continued on a fairly intensive scale until after midnight- Damage was caused to houses, shops and public utility services at various points and a number of people were killed and injured but the casualties were not heavy having regard to the scale of the attack e In the town in South-West England a number of houses was* damaged and there were a few casualties including a small number of persons killed* From other areas little damage and few casualties have been reported* 8/11/40 -No. 2. FLASH During the night R.A.F. bombers carried out an exceedingly heavy attack on the Krupp Works at Essen, Attacks were also made on oil targets in Germany and invasion ports and enemy aerodromes in France. AIR AFFAIRS Friday, November 8TH, 194O MINI S TR Y OF INFOR MA T I 0 N WS BULLETIN No, 168 NEW ZEALANDERS 1 NAVAL TRAINING NIGH COMMISSIONER. IMPRESSED In order to watch men of the Dominion under-going special training for the Royal naval Volunteer Reserve, Mr. W.J. Jordan, the High Commissioner for New Zealand, visited a school devoted to that purpose. Those who attend with of the merchant service and are men experience deep-sea yachting. To the number of 600, men from Great Britain and all parts of the Empire - mostly officers, but with a proportion of selected lower deck men known as '’Cadet ratings" - are undergoing an intensive course to qualify them for their naval career. After they have completed their instruction, naval officers examine then as to their proficiency. The High Commissioner was the guest of the officer commanding the school and was much impressed by what he saw. The entire school paraded, was inspected byand was Mr. Jordan (who in the last war was a sergeant-major in the New Zealand Division in France). He afterwards saw and spoke to the New Zealanders in the officers* quarters. Issued by the Dominions Office Press Section. M. 0.1. 1. GIFTS FOR AIRCRAFT PURCHASE The Minister of Aircraft Production acknowledges with gratitude the following gifts towards the purchase of aircraft:- The Cypriot Ladies League .....................£5*0.0. Staff & Children of Queen Mary’s Hospital, Carshalton .. ........£5O-0.0. Staff and workpeople of 1.C.1. (Paints) Ltd, .£50,0.0. London office staff, Hong Kong, Shanghai Banking Corporation.. .......... £58.15-8. Luton Spitfire Fund ........................£5>000.0. Ministry of Aircraft Production ILo.I. 2. COLONIAL GIFTS The Officer Administrating the Government of Sierra Leone has presented, on behalf of the further of to the Government for the purchase of people, a sum £5,000 Imperial * fighter aircraft. The total of the Sierra Leone Bomber Fund now exceeds £25>000. Lord Lloyd has expressed pleasure at the progress made in Uganda towards the 1 provision of the second Uganda fighter plane. The Busoga Native Administration 4 contribution of £5,000 to the imperial Exchequer is to be used for the purchase of another fighter plane. Lord Lloyd has also gratefully acknowledged the second instalment of £l,OOO from the Spitfire Fund of the Unfederated Malay State of Trengganu. Issued by the Colonial Office Press Section ARo.I, j. SAj_a oj* unauthorised Bj-DGeS It has come to the notice of the Air Ministry that certain firms are offering for sale badges which closely resemble the air gunner’s badge. These bear the letters ”FM" or "FR" and purport to be approved for wear by qualified flight-mechanics and flight-riggers respectively. It is being notified through Air Ministry orders that no such badges have been approved for wear in the Royal Air Force, nor is their introduction contemplated. The wearing of any such badge is, in fact, forbidden, and manufacturers and traders are informed of this fact in their own interest. Air Ministry Bulletin N0,2201: zdr Ministry News Service. M»o.I. 4- AIR MINISTRY BULLETIN ITO. 2.200 8/11/40. - No. U. Air Ministry News Service VOLUNTEERS FOR R,AF. Men aged 20 who are required to register on Saturday next under the National Service Acts are reminded that recruits are still required for flying duties, Men of this who wish to volunteer at the time age of inform the Registration Clerk of their preference for flying duties in the Royal Air Force., Men aged 35 who are registering on the 9th and 16th November may express preference for service on ground duties in the R.A.F. It is also pointed out that men between 20 and 32 who have already registered for any of the services but are not yet posted can still volunteer for flying duties in the R,A.F» by applying to the R.A.F. section of the nearest Combined Recruiting Centre. 8/11/40 - No EVERY BOY AND GIRL TO BE GIVEN CHANCE FOR NATIONAL SERVICE Not to be Published Before the Morning Papers of Monday, November 11, or Broadcast Before 7 a.m, on that date. All young people, from the age of 12_|. to 20, will be able to do their bit in National Service under arrangements recommended by the Board of Education as part of the Service of Youth organisation. In a Circular just issued’ to Local Authorities the Board em- phasises the importance of providing these boys and girls with opportunities for and strongly recommends the idea of forming service, "Youth Service Corps,” These would be set up under the local Youth Committees so that young people not already members of a national youth organisation, might be able to help the Civil Defence Services and assist other war- time activities such as hospitals and first aid, evacuation, forestry, gardening and agriculture, salvage, and care of refugees and the homeless The Board suggests that these should be established on a corps nation-wide basis o They have already been started in a few areas. East Suffolk were first in the field with their Youth Service Corps and the Hertfordshire and Gloucestershire authorities are planning on similar lines. Liverpool is forming its Civil Defence Cadet Corps and in other towns similar corps are under consideration with such titles as ’’Junior Home Guard” and "Junior Civil Defence Corps.” Local Units Run by Young People, Membership of the Corps does not involve, or imply, any weakening in loyalty to the particular youth organisation to which a boy or girl may belong. Th© Board’s aim is to co-ordinate all efforts and ensure that young people who do not belong to any youth organisation may have the chance to share in the national effort. Every encouragement will be given to the formation of local units of the Corps, organised and run by young people themselves© Fitness of body brings fitness of mind. It is felt that the more young people can be brought to realise that the maintenance of their health and fitness is not only a personal duty but is, in itself, an act of service to the country, the ready they more will be to respond to encouragement to take part in regular physical training and recreation. Th© object is to build upon the systematic physical training given in the schools and to give young people in the IZ|-2O age group, who have ceased full time attendance at school, wider opportunities to take part in outdoor and indoor physical recreation, Key-Men Being Released from Army Th® War Office is co-operating by the release of key-men who be-' fore the war were employed as physical training organisers and leaders, and in the provision of instructors for local centres. Already about 100 are being The Inspector of Physical Training at the War Office is a member of the Directorate, /Arr angement s - 2 - Arrangements are also under discussion with the Ministry of Labour nd National Service to secure the postponement of military service for qualified organisers and leaders who, though under the present age of reservation (30) have not yet been called up. At present about 600 - 700 men are understood to be affected. One idea is to organise classes for training junior leaders. They would be young people between the ages of 17 and 20, who showed an apti- tude for the work. The Central Council of Recreative Physical Training have also instituted a scheme of National Tests for leaders of physical recreation. This scheme offers an incentive to leaders to improve their qualifica- tions and to reach a certain standard of competence. Every available gymnasium, hall, playing field and sports ground will be used and the War Office has circularised Commands emphasising the importance of avoiding the requisitioning of premises suitable for recreational work. Moreover, premises already requisitioned will be released so far as the requirements of national defence make this possible. Co-operation with Existing Organisations. It is realised that the provision of facilities and instructors will not ensure the success of the scheme. The vital link is the method of approach to the young people concerned. This will be carried out in a variety of ways, including appeals to children just leaving school and co-operation with Old Associ- ations and Evening Institutes, while the fullest possible advantage will be taken of the Central Council’s Organisation and such activities as Youth Nallies, Games Schemes, and Keep-Fit Meetings. The “Fitness for Service” scheme started by the Central Council in conjunction with the Football Association will be expanded. This scheme is at present limited to boys and men of the age of 16 and upwards but the possibility of its extension to girls and women is being examined. problem of providing physical training and recreation for The young people engaged in full time employment in industry is a big one, but the return to more normal working hours has helped, and it may be ossible later to consider some form of daytime release or adjustment of working hours which would facilitate participation in recreative train* ing without undue strain. Scheme Not Just for War-time. The possibilities of a National Badge Scheme have been examined and the Directorate will soom make their recommendations to the Board. The Board of Education and the new Directorate wish one point in particular to be emphasised. In this work of national service and physical recreation - which covers all forms of physical activity and _ames - there is to be no regimentation, forced labour methods; no nor, of course., will the training be confined to so-called ‘’physical jerks” conception physical training which, in this has a of country, been obsolescent for a long time. It is felt that the Youth of this country ure ready and willing to help. The fitter they are the greater will be their effort. /The scheme The scheme is not a temporary war-time measure. It is the foundation for the future when, through the physical fitness «f the young generation of today, we may look forward to a happier and healthier nation. There is still too much tendency to regard good health in a' negative way - the absence of pain or disease and visits to the doctor, What is wanted is a more positive conception, a fit body, a wholesome outlook on life, intelligent interest in one’s job and surroundings and generally a sense of the joy of living. It is hoped that the expansion and improvement of facilities for physical recreation will be a definite contribution to this end. BOARD OF EDUCATION 8/11/40 - Railway Speed Restrictions The Minister of Transport makes the following announcement The following modifications have been made to the existing speed restrictions during the air raids and will operate except during black-out hours: 1* Passenger trains maximum speed 25 miles per hour (Previous maximum speed 15 miles per hour). 2. Braked goods trains maximum speed 25 miles per hour (previous maximum speed 10 miles per hour). • 3. Other, goods trains Maximum speed 15 miles per hour (previous maximum speed 10 miles per hour). 8/11/40 - No-. For the Information of the Press. FROST WARNING TO MOTORISTS Owners of motor vehicles are reminded by the Ministry of Transport that during the coming winter it will be more than ever necessary to take precautions against damage by frost to the cooling systems of their vehicles. In the present circumstances a car which is immobilised by frost damage can'certainly not be repaired for along time and may possibly be cut of action for the rest of the war, owing to the heavy demands made by the national war effort on the engineering trades. The methods of avoiding damage due to frost are well- known and should he brought into use before the colder weather sets in, MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT. 8/11/4O„ - No. 10 PRESS NOTICE. NOT TO BE PUBLISHED BEFORE THE MORNING PAPERS OF SATURDAY; NOVEMBER 9TH, 1940. NOT TO BE PUBLISHED ON CLUB TAPES, OR BROADCAST BEFORE 7 A.M.ON THAT DATE. The King has been graciously pleased to signify his intention of conferring dignity the of a barony of the United Kingdom upon Viscount Wolmer, M.P, 10, Downing Street; S.W.I. Press Notice. MINISTRY OF SURELY CONTROL ORDERS (ewiptionsTTno, iTorder, The Minister of Supply has made an Order intended to resolve doubts as to whether it is necessary for an institution such as a bank to obtain a licence before talcing a charge over controlled raw material by way of security. The Order exempts the taking of pledges by approved persons from the operations of the Raw Material Control Orders c If the chargee obtains possession of the security, it will be necessary to obtain licences as heretofore before the material can be disposed of to third parties. The Order, which is known as the Ministry of Supply Control Orders (Exemptions) (No. 1 Order, comes into force on November 9th, 1940. Copies can be obtained in the usual way from ELM. Stationery Office, Kingsway and branches. Ministry of Supply, Press Office, Adelphi, W.C.2. 8th November, 1940. N*2l* AIR MINISTRY NO. 2206. 8/11/40 - No. 1 AIR MINISTRY AND MINISTRY ON HOME SECURITY communique. Enemy air activity over this country up to five p m, today c was on a small scale. A few bombs were dropped by single aircraft at a point on the West Coast and in a country district in the Midlands. No damage or casualties were caused, in these attacks. Formations of fighters or fighter-bombers crossed, the South East coast on two occasions* Only a small number of these penetrated, to the London area where a few bombs were dropped. There was little d.amage and. casualties were few. AIR MINISTRY BULLETIN No, 22 8/11/40 - No'. jA. Air Ministry News Service R. A.F. ATTACK ON MUNITION FACTORIES IN TEE RUHR. Munition factories in the Ruhr, including the great Krupps’ armament works at Essen, were last night heavily bombed by aircraft of the R,A F, ? Bomber Command? For more than four hours workshops > machine-sheds and administrative buildings were consistently attacked by successive units of a great mixed force of medium and heavy bombers. Many tons of high explosive, including of the heaviest calibre bombs some yet carried into Germany, and thousands of fire bombs were rained down on one of Germany’s largest armament factories, the vast expanse of which was quickly reduced to one huge sheet of fire. Buildings glowed at white heat and flames towered hundreds of feet into the sky. The attack on this target began shortly after 8 p.rn, under favourable weather conditions and with visibility extending up to ten miles. The huge factory could not be mistaken, and every bomb dropped from the aircraft in the first wave of the attack found its mark within the boundaries of the works. Buildings were struck, and fires erupted from all parts of the target area. From three great explosions huge fires broke out and flames reared to died down, and then up a great height.-, leapt up again with redoubled intensity. Other bombers, following close behind the leaders, aimed for the chain of fires already blazing on the target ahead of them. Their high explosive bails, straddling the works from end to end, burst in vivid, multi-coloured explosions to add to the growing havoc. Then came their hundreds of fire bombs, and, within a few moments, the whole of factory the had become area a mass of raging flames engulfing long lines of buildings and lighting up the sky with a glow which could be seen from sixty miles away® One after the other in long procession following sorties camo in to unload, bombs on the blazing targets, Within 50 minutes of the start of the attack direct hits • had been scored on many of the main buildings- and long lines of fires wore still raging. Explosions within factory buildings followed close on the fruch of bursting bombs, and at one period of the attack explosions could be seen continuously occurring for fuXl.y'thvcze .quarters' nf' hour. - an "It was an absolutely astounding sight," said one of the pilots o "We came on the scene early in one of the first waves. We were about four or five miles to the north, and away to the south we saw a violent explosion. There was cloud, at the time, but coming right up through it was an enormous red glow. We flew towards it, and as we got nearer we saw five fires fairly close together and regularly spaced, stretching out in a straight line from north to south. The fires were red and fierce but not very large. As soon as our bombs had fallen there was several explosions. We then circled around, and, looking down, I could see a huge rectangle of white flame. It must have been nearly a mile long, and I suppose about a quarter of a mile wide. Inside this great rectangle were throe large fires as well as many small ones," An air gunner in the rear turret of another bomber said, "I was listening in on the inter-communication set and I could hear the bomb aimer directing the pilot on to the target 9 As soon as I heard him say ’bombs gone’ I turret hard round to swung my starboard, and looking straight down, I could see our stick bursting 0 I was rather disappointed at first because nothing much happened v ’’Then another bomber went by us to attack, He had been a little behind us for an hour the way and I had the flak at him all the or more on out, seen coming up along route. His bombs started one of the most amazing sights I had over seen on any operation o It was about three minutes after we had bombed that it happened. First of all there was a terrific yellow flash not an ordinary bomb burst but something much bigger than that. Then a pause of a few seconds, and, next- - a distance of about 100 yards away - there was a great blue flash o ’’Next I saw a chain of fire sweeping across the area from south to north„ The flames seemed to be boxed in and running along at the same height just as though the fire was sweeping through some long line of buildings from end to end, It took about ten seconds to travel from one end to the other, and all the way along the chain it was blazing up. Violent explosions were also going off all the time o I called up the pilot and said; ’For heavens sake turn the aircraft and sec what those follows have " done’ and he went round to starboard to take a look a , As the long bombardment neared its ulose weather conditions became less favour- , able, and factoriespartially rbscured by low cloud and a thickening haze. were at times Breaks in the cloud, however, enabled the late arrivals to identify their targets, and it was well after midnight when the last of the attackers, diving clear of the cloud within 1500 feet of the ground, planted a final load of bombs accurately on the battered works. PRESS NOTICE. 8/11/40 - N0.16. The Greek Government have declared the following areas to be dangerous on account of mines (a) Gulf of Cavalla, north of latitude 040 deg. 34 min. north and west of Thaso Island. (b) Gulf of Salonika north of latitude 039 deg* 54 min. north. (c) Waters inside Euboea Islands north of latitude 037 57 min, north at south entrance and west of longitude 023 deg. 20 min. east at north entrance. ADMIRALTY. 8.11,40 No. 16. AIR MINISTRY BUT LET IN 2205 Air Ministry News SeYyice R,A»F HEAVY ATTACK ON GERMAN OIL AND STEEL PLANTS While the Ruhr raid was in another strong force of progress Bombers launched a large scale attack on the important synthetic oil plants on the Union Rheilesche Braunkohlen at Wesserling, near Cologne. Visibility was good and, attacking by the light of the moon in a cloudless sky, the raiders bombed the refinery for more than two hours, starting numerous fires and causing widespread to works and Incendiary bombs showered down from damage buildings. one aircraft set alight an area estimated at two miles in length by a mile wide, the fires throwing off huge clouds of acrid black smoke. Later, many separate fires merged into one great blaze, which could be seen by the crews of aircraft a hundred miles away. At Dusseldorf, a large steel works and its adjoining blast furnaces were heavily bombed by relays of aircraft. Fires started by incendiarjr and high explosive bombs were followed by secondary explosions within the steel works, where extensive damage is believed to have been caused to plant and building. Other bombers, prevented by low cloud and bad visibility from reaching their primary objective, attacked an oil refinery at Gelsenkirchen, and the canal locks at Rheine-Hox?no bombed wharfs and docks at the inland port of Duisberg-Ruhort, and started a large fire in a steel works at Berhausen. A number 01 prodromes in Germany and the occupied territories were also attacked in the course of the night’s operations. In several cases fires were seen to break out after the bombing and in an attack on one aerodrome in French occupied territory a stick of high explosive bombs burst along the centre of a flare path as an enemy aircraft was taking off. Another enemy machine which was circling the aerodrome was attacked by machine-gun fire at short range. The docks and harbours at Lorient, Le Havre and Dunkirk were also revisited, bombs being dropped on shipping concentrations and harbour installations b Lorient was twice attacked and, in the second raid, which took place shortly after midnight, searchlight batteries in the harbour were bombed and a direct hit scored on a ship-yard near the Font De Caudan o 8/11/40 - No< 18© AIR MINISTRY No* 2207. AIR MINISTRY COMMUNIQUE Reports so far received show that twenty enemy aircraft have been destroyed today* A large number of dive bombers with strong fighter escort attempted on several occasions to attack shipping off our East and South-East coasts. On each occasion they were heavily engaged by our fighters and fifteen of them were shot down by one squadron* Six of our aircraft are reported lost or missing "but the pilots of two of these are known to he safe* AIR MINISTRY BULLETIN 2208 8/11/40. - No. 1 Air Ministry News Service. FIFTEEN DOWN IN FIVE MINUTES. In a battle that lasted just over five minutes today a Hurricane fighter squadron of the R.A.F. destroyed fifteen German planes without loss to themselves. Twenty-five Junkers 87’ s were attempting to dive-bomb ships. As six more are reckoned probably destroyed and two others were damaged only two of the 25 escaped scot-free. The Hurricanes returned to their aerodrome exactly 30 minutes after taking off, and by their victory rolls made it clear that their success had been no ordinary one. In fact it was the best performance by any squadron in one combat since August 16, when a Hurricane squadron destroyed 17« In that case also the enemy were Junkers 87 *s. The squadron which triumphed today had twice in the last two days just missed the chance of engaging dive bombers. Today they were determined not to let the enemy escape them. When tea-time came they refused to go the mess and their intelligence officer had to go off and forage for them. In the middle of their meal came the order to take off. The sight that greeted them out at sea off the S.E. coast was the German bombers flying at only 500 feet and apparently about to attacks Up above, say the pilots, were masses of 109 Messerschmitt fighters. The Hurricanes were on top of the bombers before either they or their escorts knew what was happening. Each Hurricane pilot chose one plane, and when he had shot that enemy down, went after another. The squadron were accompanied by the station commander, who won the D.F.C. early in the war. Today he and two sergeant pilots shared two victims. The senior flight commander who was leading the squadron shot down one, bringing his war total to six. Two Polish officers each had their first success. A pilot officer and a sergeant pilot "halved' 1 five between them, and three other each bagged sergeant pilots one. Friday, Bth November, 1940. MINISTRY OF INFORMATION NEWS BULLETIN No, 169, The Minister of Aircraft Production acknowledges with gratitude the following gifts towards the purchase of aircraft £ Birmingham Trunk and Toll Telephone Exchanges. 110 Cunliffe Owen Aircraft, Ltd. (Ist contribution) •••.•••• 250 Bindley Spitfire Fund. ..............., • . 500 Thompson Bros., Gateshead, and depot staff,..... 1,025 Wrexham Spitfire Fund (to be called "Wrexham")........,. s>ooo Plymouth Spitfire Fund.6,ooo Ministry of Aircraft Production M.0.1. 1, OPEN HOUSE FOR ULSTER FORCES To meet the needs of the Forces in Northern Ireland, especially on winter nights and Sunday evenings, ’’The League of the Open Door” is being formed. It is proposed that members of the League shall display a notice in their windows in the following terms: "For God, for King and Country; men of His Majesty’s Forces in uniform welcomed; come right in." The notice will indicate the number of men who can be entertained by the household. In this Ulster people way hope to make members of the Forces feel happy and "at home". Issued by the Dominions and Colonial Offices Press Section. M.0»1,2. INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT MOVES TO BOURNEMOUTH The Board of Trade announce that as from the date of this notice the address of the Supplies (Registers) Department Industrial will be the Carlton Hotel, East Cliff, Bournemouth, Telephone No, Bournemouth 7210, All future communications regarding the Limitation (Miscellaneous) Orders, 1940, of Supplies the Limitation of Supplies (Woven Textiles) Orders, 1940, (which have succeeded the Piece Goods and Made-Up Goods (Cotton, Rayon & Linen) Order, 1940,) should be eent to that address. Board of Trade, S,W, 1. M,0,1. 3, HOME SUPPLY OF SILK STOCKINGS. This afternoon the President of the Board of Trade met representatives of the 1 following trade organisations and silk operatives associations - Rayon and Silk Associations, National Federation of Hosiery Manufacturers* Associations, Branded Silk Hose Group, Woles ale Textile Association, Workers* Panels of the Joint Industrial Councils for the Silk and Hosiery Industries, Nottingham Chamber of Commerce - and discussed with them proposals for securing an orderly marketing of the stocks of silk stockings goods and other silk by recently-announced affected the prohibition of home supply with special reference to securing the maximum export of these goods. A further meeting will be held shortly. Board of Trade Press Office. M.0.1. 4*