29.10.43. No. 5 MIDDLE EAST AIR COMMUNIQUE Headquarter s, Royal Air force, Middle East. 29.10.43• Maritza airfield, Rhodes, was again attacked by Royal Air Force heavy bombers last night. An explosion occurred in the northern half of the airfield, followed by a large fire and other explosions. After a bombing attack on five small vessels in Stampalia Harbour, Aegean Sea, yesterday, debris was flung into the air end considerable wreckage was seen floating on the water. During the night of October 27/28, Heraklion airfield. Crete, was bombed and large explosions occurred in an aircraft dispersal area. From those and other operations three of our aircraft are missing* 29/10/43 -_No,_ 6 FOR PUBLICATION AT 10 A.M FAILS LOST AT SEA The Postmaster General regrets to announce that the undermentioned CUTWARD SURFACE mails were involved in a mishap at sea (not due to enemy action). Some of the mails were so damaged as to be useless, but others were salvaged and sent forward to destination. Letters for:- Districts & approximate dates if posting India Vest of England and South Vales: 1 - 1 August Elsewhere: 27 July - 1 August Printed Papers for:- India North-Vest and Vest of England: Scotland and Vales: 10 July - 1 August Elsewhere: 27 July - 1 August Parcels for:- India Scotland: 9-3l July Elsewhere: 7 - 30 July The undermentioned INWARD SURFACE mails were lost by enemy action Letters and Printer Papers from:- Nyasaland 1-8 June GENERAL POST OFFICE 29/10/43 - No. 9 NOT FOR PUBLICATION. BROADCAST IN OVERSEAS BULLETINS OR USE ON CLUB TAPES BEFORE 2330 B.S.T. ON FRIDAY* OCTOBER 29, 1943. NOT TO BE BROADCAST IN THE MIDNIGHT NEWS OF OCTOBER 29/30. THIS EMBARGO SHOULD BE RESPECTED OVERSEAS BY PREFACING- ANY MESSAGES FILED WITH THE EMBARGO SPECIAL AIRGRAPH FORM FOR CHIRSTMAS AND NEW YEAR GREETINGS The Postmaster General announces that a special form for sending Christmas and New Year Greetings by Airgraph to members of the Forces and. civilians in countries to which the Airgraph service extends will be available at Post Offices on and from Monday, November 1. No special charge will made for the form, hut, to avoid Be wastage, it will be issued only against the purchase of postage stomps to the value of the appropriate Airgraph fee, viz., 3d. if the Airpraph is being sent to a member of the Forces or of the Merchant Navy and 8d. if it is being sent to a civilian address* Members of the public are asked when applying for forms to say whether the form mil be sent to a member of the Forces (or Merchant Navy) or a civilian. The Greetings Airgraphs will to retained abroad for delivery at Christmas, or (in the ease of the Forces) as near to Christmas as active service conditions permit, and there will he no advantage to the senders or addressees in deferring posting until the latest date for Christmas delivery, which will he announced later. The public are therefore requested to obtain and post their Greetings airgraphs without delay. GENERAL POST OFFICE 29.10, 43. N0.12 Air Ministry News Service Air Ministry Bulletin No. 11919 BRAZILIAN AIR MISSION IN ENGLAND A Brazilian air mission arrived in Britain for tour of today a R.A.F. Stations. The mission is led by Colonel Fabio Sa Earp, senior colonel of the Brazilian Air Force, who received some of his early flying training in this country. Other members the mission are Lt. Colonel Reynaldo Joaquim De of Carvalho, who is in charge of the Brazilian Government air mail service. Captain Affonso Araujo Costa, Captain Hamlet De Azambuja Estrella, a well-known Brazilian flying Instructor, and Captain Henrique De Amaral PEnna. 29. 10.43 • No. 13 INDIAN' JOINT COMMUNIQUE NO.258 New Delhi, 29.10.43. In the course of offensive sweeps along the railways running east and from Mandalay, R.A.F.. Beaufighters yesterday west and on 'Wednesday heavily damaged five locomotives and more than 80 wagons. Others patrolling the Irrawaddy river attacked and damaged a large paddle steamer and various other rivercraft in the Pakokku area. Hurricanes shot up enemy-occupied villages near Kalemyo, end Vengeances and Mohawks attacked postions in the Chin Hills and Mayu Peninsula with good results. Last their attacks railway night, Wellingtons renewed on installations in Burma, This time, their target was the station at Monywa, which was straddled by high explosive and incendiary bombs. None of our aircraft is missing. Yesterday morning there was some enemy activity over our positions in Irakan and a few bombs were dropped. The damage caused was negligible. There were a few civilian casualties. 29.10.43 - No. 14. NOVEL GUARD OF HONOUR FOR PRINCESS A "mixed" Guard of Honour, composed partly of operators and instrument mechanics of the Royal Signals and partly of wireless and teleprinter operators of the A, T.S. formed for Signals, was H.R.H. The Princess Royal, when she visited the War Office, Whitehall, to-day (Friday) to open a welfare hut for War Office Signals. The Princess Royal, who is Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Corps of Signals and taken Controller-Commandant of the A. T. S. , has a practical interest in the welfare of Signals personnel in all parts of the country and it was with her encouragement that the new hut was built to provide rest, recreation, light refreshment and a change of teleprinter atmosphere from the signal office, wireless and which rooms, are necessarily deep underground. In the Princess rest room the Royal unveiled a plaque bearing the of the Royal badge Signals - the silver Hermes (or ’’Jimmy" as the Signals call him) - with the gold A. T. S. badge super imposed, the work of a serjeant draughtsman of the Royal Signals. Her Royal Highness was accompanied by Senior Controller L.V.L.E, Whateley, D.D.A.T.S,, War Office, and the Lady Maud Baillie, D.D.A.T.S. , London District. She was received by Brig.-Gen. Lord Croft, Parliamentary Under-Secrotary of State for War; Lt.Gen. Sir H. C olville. B. Wemyss, Colonel-Commandant Royal Signals, Maj.Gen. C.W. Fladgate, and Maj. Gen. L. G. Phillips. MILITARY AFFAIRS NOT TO BE PUBLISHED BEFORE 29.10,43 - No. 15 ANNOUNCED IN THE LONDON GAZETTE GOVERNOR OF THE ROYAL HOSPITAL. CHELSEA The following appointment is announced:- General Sir Clive Liddell, K.C.B., C.H.G., C.B.E., D.S. O., Reserve of Officers (Retired Pay), Colonel, The Leicestershire be Governor, Chelsea, with effect Regiment, to The Royal Hospital, from the 27th October, 1943, in succession to General Sir Harry Knox, K.C.B., D.S.0., (Retired Pay), Colonel, The Northamptonshire Regiment, who vacates the appointment on that date. OFFICE 29/10/43 - No. 16 NOT FOR PUBLICATION, BROADCAST OR USE ON CLUB TAPES BEFORE 1700 B.S.T. ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1943 THIS EMBARGO SHOULD' BE RESPECTED OVERSEAS BY PREFACING ANY MESSAGES FILED WITH THE EMBARGO SIMULTANEOUS RELEASE HAS BEEN ARRANGED IN LONDON, WASHINGTON AND OTTAWA REORGANISATION OF COMBINED FOOD BOARD AND LONDON FOOD COMMITTEE The Combined food Bound -was set up in June, 1942, by the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom with a view to assisting in the integration of the food policies of the United Nations. As a complement to the Board the London food Committee was also established. The combined food planning organisation has new been operating for 15 months and has made a. valuable contribution to this most important sector of. the total war effort. In order to ensure that the valuable work which has already been done can be continued and extended in future, the combined food planning organisation has recently been re-examined, In particular, the position of Canada has been reviewed in the light both of that contry's contribution as a major supplier of food stuffs and the participation of Canadian representatives in the work of the Committees of the Combined Food Board, coupled with the acknowledged inter-relationship of all North American problems. As a result of that review, arrangements have been agreed by which Canada will become a member of the Combined Food Board an Washington, The London Food Committee, which was established at the some- time as the Combined Food Board to perform functions in to those relation to the countries represented upon it complementary of the Board, is being reconstituted as the London Food Council, The Minister of Food in the United Kingdom will be the Chairman and the High Commissioners in London for the Commonwealth of Australia, New Zealand, the Union of South Africa and Southern Rhodesia, Secretary of State for the Colonies, the Secretary of State for India and the representative of India at the War Cabinet will be members. MINISTRY OF FOOD 29.10.43 No. 17 NOT FOR PUBLICATION, BROADCAST IN OVERSEAS BULLETINS OR USE ON CLUB TAPES BEFORE 2330 B.S.T. ON FRIDAY OCTOBER 29 1943. NOT TO BE BROADCAST IN THE MIDNIGHT NEWS OF OCT 29-30. THIS EMBARGO SHOULD BE RESPECTED OVERSEAS BY PREFACING ANY MESSAGES FILED WITH THE EMBARGO SUGAR AND PRESERVES The Minister of Food announces that as from November 14 the housewife will be able to buy sugar against coupon, the P preserves or preserves against the sugar coupon at the rate of exchange of 1 lb. of sugar to 1 lb of preserves. This change is designed to give her greater freedom of choice between the two rations. It does not effect the special (R coupon) jam ration which can only be taken up in the form of one of the specified jams. The same freedom* of choice will be available to establishments. Also as from November 14 the housewife will be allowed to buy in advance she sugar during the previous four-week period just as can already buy preserves in advance. She will not be able to buy preserves in arrears after December 11. From that date onwards the sugar and preserves rations will therefore be buyable under exactly the same conditions, during the current or previous four-week period and will be interchangeable. The Minister urges housewives to take advantage of this arrangement if they possibly can and to buy up to eight weeks' rations of sugar and preserv s as early as possible after November 14. He also urges ■tailors to secure adequate stocks to meet the demands which may be made upon them. MINISTRY OF FOOD 29/10/43 - No. 19 NORTH NO. 351 Allied Force Command Post, 29TH October, 1943 NAVY - Enemy shore positions in the Minturno area were bombarded by a United States cruiser and destroyers operating in the Cuff of Caeta Wednesday night, ARMY - Further progress has been made on the 5th Army Front -.-/here another important height has been captured. Fighting continues on the 8th Army Front and additional short advances by British and Canadian have been made troops. Montefalcone has been captured. Heavy rain has fallen in most operational sectors. AIR - Fighter-bombers and fighters of the North west African Air yesterday attackedroad junctions, trains, Forces bridges and enemy positions over the battle area. Lending fields near Orvieto., Littoria and Foligno were attacked by fighter-bombers. In these operations two enemy aircraft were destroyed. None of-our aircraft is missing 29.10,43 - No. 21 "TELEGRAPHIST/ AIR GUNNERS" A Fleet Order announces accelerated promotion for Telegraphist/Air gunners in the Fleet Air Arm, as from August 27, 1 943. Instead of requiring a minimum service of five years to reach the rank of chief petty officer from Naval airman, the new entrant is now promoted' to leading airman as soon as he qualifies and can "become a chief petty officer after 18 months service. Candidates on reaching 18 years are now being called up for immediate training. Apart from ground instruction this includes more than 100 hours instruction in the air. ADMIRALTY 29th October, 1943 - No.23 MESSAGE FROM HIS MAJESTY THE KING TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE TURKISH REPUBLIC "On the 20th Anniversary of the foundation of the Turkish Republic, I send you, Mr, President, my warm congratulations, and I take pleasure on occasion, in this conveying to you, and to your countrymen, my sincere good wishes for the Republic’s prosperity. GEORGE R.I." FOREIGN OFFICE NEWS DEPARTMENT NOT TO BE PUBLISHED.IN 29/10/43 - No-. 24 - BRITISH EVENING NEWSPAPERS NOT FOR PUBLICATION, BROADCAST IN OVERSEAS BULLETINS OR USE ON CLUB TAPES BEFORE 2330 B.S.T. ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1943.. NOT TO BE BROADCAST IN THE MIDNIGHT NEATS OF OCTOBER 29/30. THIS 'EMBARGO SHOULD BE RESPECTED OVERSEAS BY PREFACING- ANY MESSAGES FILED WITH THE EMBARGO' PRIVATE SPRUILL SOLS INTO ACTION By Noel Honks, Representing the Combined British Press with Sherman Tanks on the Fifth Army Front, Thursday. The coolness and courage of la nicy, ex-milkman private Thomas Spruill, of Battle Greek, Michigan, who found himself temporarily commanding two Sherman tanks on this front two hours ago, have had wide repercussions. A Spruill's two tanks wore hidden in a vineyard just outside a town American infantry wore attacking. Hundreds of "Yanks” had gone forward in a downpour of rain when Spruill, with whom I had boon talking before, was amazed a few minutes to sec fourteen German Mark IV tanks ploughing through the rain and mud towards him - and behind our troops. Ex-milkman Spruill just had time to radio the rest of our tanks two miles back when ho came within range. At 600 yards Spruill’s tanks, "Old Bloodhound”, tanks had landed -opened fire, closely followed by his companion, "Bouncer” (both "at Salerno on the first day. The shots staggered the Gormans who, thinking they had run into an ambush of a large tank force, halted. "Old Bloodhound” and "Bouncer” pumped shell after shell into the undecided Germans, Spruill noted as Gunner and sighted through the rain by sticking his head out cf the turret - he* s six feet three - and scored hits on two tanks with his third and fourth shots. "Bouncer” set a third on fire. Both Shermans then received hits themselves, temporarily putting them out of action. The Germans ploughed towards them, -when an unholy artillery barrage opened up on them scattering them in all directions. Our tanks at the roar, knowing their inability to join the battle in time, had summoned artillery on receiving Spruill’s warning. Throe more tanks were knocked out, making an afternoon's bag of six. Our infantry, - which had been cut off by the German tanks, wore relieved were and able to push forward securely. Before they did so scored of '’Doughboys” returned to the two tanks and thanked the courageous craws who had saved them from possible annihilation and two war correspondents from capture. MINISTRY OF INFORMATION 29.10.43 - No, 27 Air Ministry News Service Air Ministry Bulletin. No, 11921 AWARDS FOR GALLANTRY IN THE AIR TO A PILOT AND RADIO OFFICER OF THE BRITISH OVERSEAS AIRWAYS CORPORATION The King has been graciously pleased to approve the appointment of Captain GILBERT RAE, . . and Radio PAYNE, Officerthe British JAMES STANLEY WOOD both of Overseas Airways Corporation, to be an Officer and a Member respectively of the British Empire Order in recognition of their high courage over an extended period in unarmed aircraft civil service between the United flying on the war-time air Kingdom and Stockholm, When Captain Rue was attacked some time ago over enemy-occupied territory his aircraft damaged by was cannon fire and under-carriage hydraulic system was put the out of action. By the most skilful evasive tactics and exceptional coolness in a most hazardous situation he was able to avoid further damage, to shake off his assailant, and eventually make a forced-landing in Sweden with the under-carriage retracted. The forced-landing was made with such skill that comparatively little damage was done to the aircraft. A few days later Captain Rae was again attacked by two German aircraft but by his skill and coolness he was able to shake off his assailants and land safely. On a third occasion, half-way across the North Sea with a very heavy load, one of his engines failed and it was only due to superb airmanship that he managed to get safely back to base. Payne has been the radio officer of aircraft. On all these occasions Mr. the He has cheerfully and readily accepted the some risks as his pilot. His skill as a radio officer and his coolness in the face of extreme danger have been outstanding. NOTE ON CAREERS Captain GILBERT RAE has Been a pilot with British Overseas Airways Corporation since early 1940, flying on the Lisbon and Scandinavian routes. He was appointed captain in October, 1942. Before joining B.O.A.C. he served as a ground engineer from 1934 to 1938 and as a pilot from 1938 to 1940 with Scottish Airways Limited. Born in March, 1917, at Dunfermline, he was educated at Dunfermline High School. He is unmarried. Radio Officer JAMES S. PAYEE joined British Airways Limited in 1938 and the British Overseas Airways Corporation on its formation. He has served during this period as radio officer on European routes, particularly the Scandinavian route. For eleven years before joining British Airways he was a ship's radio officer and before that was employed as a clerk with the De Havilland Aircraft Company. Radio Officer Payne, who is married with two children, was born in August, 1908. 29/10/43 - No. 28 Air Ministry News Service .Air Ministry Bulletin No. 11922 TYPHOONS HIT AIRFIELD Typhoon bombers of Fighter Command, escorted by Typhoon fighters, successfully bombed Guipavas airfield, Brest, today without loss. They faced anti-aircraft fire, but there was no enemy fighter opposition, an the pilots saw their bombs burst near a hangar, on a runway, and on buildings in the north-cast corner. One of the flight-leaders said afterwards• "It was really quite on uneventful show*. There were no Hun aircraft about, though accurate flak come up of us. and after we hod bombed we carried out a sweep in to find which to the Ushant area, hoping enemy ships some on use our cannon - but we were unlucky" * 29.10.43 No. 30. Air Ministry No. 11923 AIR MINISTRY COMMUNIQUE Typhoons without This morning Typhoon "bombers and loss attacked the airfield at Brest-Guipavas.