3/5/U- No.l. AMERICANAIRMAN’SLUCK ChasewithHappyEnding TheadventuresoftheonlyAmericanairmanintheSouthAfricanAir Force,arerelatedintheEastAfricanStandardandcontainedinacable, fromNairobi. HeisPrescottFagan,abomberpilotandhisexperiencesstartedwhen heforcelandedintheKAi/IBAcountry•Hewasabletowirelesshisposition tothebase.Hegavecompassbearingsofhiswhereaboutswhichwerepicked upbyawhitehunternamedReeswhosentoutanativescoutstofindhim. Onescout,takinginstructionsafterdiscoveringFagan, literally/ turnedbackandwentofftoreporttoRees..Faganspottedhim,howeverand followedhim.Hehadtochaseafleet-footedscoutforfifteenmilesand thenhelosthim. Sweatinglikeabullandexhaustedbythechase,Faganstumbledthrough thebushandwassurprisedanddelightedtoseeawhitemansittingona stackoftins. petrolRememberinghishistory,Faganapproachedthewhite man- Livingstone,Ipresume?"hequeried. "Dr"NoSir,"camethereply "I’mCorporalVANDERMERV/E,basepetrolsupplies." MINISTRYOFINFORMATION. 3/5/41.No.2. GOLDFROMTHEPOSTOFFICE RecoveredScrapthatHelpstheNation, ThePostOfficenowmorethaneveriscollectingeveryounceofscrapand havingitconvertedforusefulwarpurposes.RecentlythePostOfficeobtained nearly£200,000inthesaleofrecoveredstores,andthisincluded400ouncesof goldand4?000tonsofcopper. Onebuyerwithaverypracticalturnofmindbought15oldtelephonekiosks whicharenowbeingusedonapoultryfarmforhousingchickens. Telephonecablerecoveredfrombombedbuildingsfindsareadysalebecause thecopperwireitcontainsispracticallyunharmed,eveniftherubbercovering ismuchtheworseforitsairraidexperiences« WhilewholesalemerchantsbuyhundredsoftonsofscrapmetalfromthePost Office,filmcompaniescomealongtogettelephonesofallagesforuseinperiod pictures. Firebombs.andhighexplosivesmayplayhavocwithtelephoneinstallations inbombedbuildings,butthetwistedchunksoffusedmetalandbakelite,once switchboardsandbytotalloss.Fromtheshapeless instruments,arenomeansa massestheRecoveredStoresDivisionofthePostOfficeextractbrass,copper, iron,platinum,andothermetals,salvenutsandholtsrandscrews,obtainenough woodtokeeptheirmetalmeltingpotsheated-andevensecureapricefromthe salvagefirmsfortheresidualashes*. ThePostOfficeStoresDepartmentalwaysaimedatgettingtheutmostvalue foralldestroyed,worn-outorobsoletematerialreturnedtoitfordisposal,hut nowspecialeffortsaremadetoseethatnothingisthrownawaythatcaninsome wayorotherprovidematerialforthewareffort,orbringinacontributionto thePostOfficerevenue. ManyinstrumentsrecoveredfrombombedbuildingsaresenttothePostOffice factoryforrepairandtheyincludeclocks,watches,ammeters,telephonecall meters,automaticdials,allkindsoftelephones,bellsets,coils,relays, selectorsandevenacompleteRuralAutoExchange., Manycombinationsofmetalsgotomakeuptelephoneapparatusandthe intrinsicvaluesofthesemetalsrangefrom many-poundsanounceforplatinums toashillingorsoforacwt,ofscrapiron,Thebreaking-upisdonebyboysas apreliminarytobetterworkinothersections,Ahammerandscrewdriversuffice forsomeofthesimplermakeofinstruments,butspecialmachinesandtoolsare neededforthemorecomplicatedapparatus*Onemachineextractstheplatinum andgoldandsilvercontactTheseofmetal,but points.pointsaremerescraps over£7>000ayearisobtainedfromtheirsale* GENERALPOSJTOFFICE. A»M>749. AIN.MINISTRYNEWSSERVICE.AH Ifyouseecomplacency-kickitJ CaptainBalfour’sSpeechat Yeovil. SpeakingatYeovil’sWarWeaponsWeekthis(Saty,) afternoon,CaptainH.H.Balfour,M.C.,M.P.,UnderSecretary ofStateforAir,said: WefacegraveeventsintheEast,andtheremaywellbe stillheaviertrialstocomebeforewecanlooktowinningback ourlostpositions.' Itiseasytobeconfidentandcheerfulwhenthewar hassmoothprogressandthetideflowsourway.Itiswhenwe enterthedarkandsombrepassagesthatthereisacallonour storesofenduranceandcourage.Butsurelyeachofthesedark timesdoesbutgiveusanopportunityforreneweddedicationof ourselvestothewarcauseandwartasks. Gallantryandenduringcouragehavebeenthecharacter- isticofour.ArmedForcesinwarsthroughouttheages;anditis thosequalities■whichhavelargelycontributedtobuildingupthe greatnessofburEmpire*Unfortunately,developmentofmodern sciencehasalteredthings,andto-daythesequalitiesalone cannothopetowinusamodernwar* Itisthetank,thebomberandthemachine-gun,in superiorquantitiestotheenemy,whichareessentialforvictory. Athousandbravemen,worndownbyweightofmetalagainstthem- directedfrombehindarmouredscreensbyamerehandfulof bayonet-scaredNazis- willinthelongrunhavetogiveway, howevercourageousindividuallytheirfight. theymayItbein is,therefore,tothisvitaltaskofbuildingupweightofmetal thatwemustceaselesslydevoteourselvesbynightandday. Ibelieve,inawarfortheverysurvivalofsoulandbody, ourpeoplecantakeanything- cantakeanytesting- givenone thingthattheyaretoldfactandtruth. Iknowthatwewillneverdepartfromourdeclared determinationtobofrankandoutspoken- spurningutterly andwithcontemptanythingofthesortofdeceptionand distortionoffactwhichisafamiliarpartoftheNazitechnique totheirpeople.Forifeverourpeoplefelttheywerebeing reassured- toldhalf-truths- orlulledintoasemi-somnolent confidence,onlytobefollowedbythesickeningrealisation thatabadsituationhadbeencloakedoverthen,indeed,a - seriousblowwouldhavebeenstruckatconfidenceandmorale, andafreepeople,withtheirrightsoflibertyofexpression, wouldjustifiablyturnonthoseresponsible. Ontheotherhand,afreepeoplewithasenseof responsibilitywillacceptlimitationswhichmilitarynecessities bringabout,whensometimestheissueofnewshastobeheldup forstrategicreasons.Wedonotwanttotelltheenemyvoluntarily whathewouldveryoftenmuchliketoknow;andthereisnot one personinthiscountrywho,becauseofanaturaldesireto knowwhatisgoingon,wouldisishtosatisfythatdesireifby sodoingitmadethetaskofonesinglesoldier,sailoror 2. airmanthatmuchmoredifficultordangeroustocarryout. Theriskoffailureinvictorymustbelongtoevery individual,andsomeforty-fivemillionsintheseIslandseach carryashareofthatresponsibility. Leaderscan.direct,planandurge;butitlies.only inthepoweroftheordinarymenandwomentopulltheShow throughbytheirownpersonalendeavours. Thepersonalresponsibilityofeveryoneofuslies beyondourimmediatesolves. Ifyouseewaste,inefficiencyor- worstofall- complacency,thenkickitaroundtheplace.Youmaykicksome undeserving,butyouwillalsoprobablykicktherightspot. To-day,todoone’sownjobwellisnotenoughforwe havegottobeslaveswithinourselvestoourtasks. Ifsofan?wehavejustdoneourbest,nowwemust driveourselves. Ifalreadywehavedriven,nowwomustforceourselves. Woknowoftheslugsandbeetles- enemiesofour NationalEffort. Therearcthefewwhoarcfood-hogs. ■* Therearethefewwhocannotlookbeyondpreservation ofpersonalleisureastheirwaraim.x-.-.--w... .Therethefewwhoouttheireffort - * aremeasurewar accordingtopayreceivedorhourstobeworked. Thenumbersofthesemaybesmallbuttheireffectis nauseous,andtheymustbedealtwith- elinuna-tcd- Liquidated ' fromoursystern. Forthisisthehourtoberuthlessagainstsloth* Thisisthehourtoberebellious,againstself- contentment. Thisisthehourtoberesentfulofselfishness. Citizens- Thisisthehourtoshowtotheworld, byoureffortsandsacrifice,thatweshallstopatnothingto achievevictory. Letourcrybeloudandclear:”TotheRampartsof FactoryandFieldtostandindefenceofourLandandLiberty’ DirectorateofPublicRelations, AirMinistry, KingCharlesSt,, Whitehall,S.W.I. 3rdMay,19414 Saturday,May3.1941 MINISTRY0FINFORMATION NEV.rSBULLETINNO.367 PRESSNOTICE. ThefollowingbroadcasthasbeenmadeattherequestoftheAdmiralty: "MastersofenemyshipsarewarnedthatH.M.Shipsmaymaketothemthesignal ’ ’U.B.A.intheInternationalCedeofSignals.Thiswillmean’Stop-donotlower boatsdonotscuttledonotradioifyouI disobeyopenfire.”’ - --use- Admiralty.M.0.1.1. POLISHOFFICERSMENTIONEDFORDISTINGUISHEDCONDUCT. ItisannouncedthatHisMajestyTheKinghasbeengraciously-pleasedtoapprove thatthenamesofthefollowingbementionedfordistinguishedconduct- ColonelT.Zakrwkzeski, PolishArmy. CommandantM.Zimnal, PolishAmy. JarOffice.M.0.1.2. TUOSPITFIRESFROMBECHUAI'IALAND TheMinister>fAircraftProductionacknowledgeswithgratitudethefollowing giftstowardsthepurchaseofaircraft: AlfristonCouncilSchool£l3-13-0 DavisSpitfireFund(Crioklade&Leigh)£262.10.0 BirghofTroon£1,000.0.0 .liitley6cMonieseatonSpitfireFund£2,001.19.1 PeopleofJamshedpurandG-olmuri(planetobecalled’Jamshedpur &GolmuriN0.3’).......€5,000.0.0 PeopleofBechuanalandProtectorate(planestobecalled ’Bechuanaland’and■Kalahari’)....€10,000.0.0 MinistryofAircraftProduction.M.0.1.3. CONTINUATIONOFBREADSUBSIDY. TheMinistryofFoodannouncesthatpaymentofthebreadsubsidyattherates whichobtainatforfurthertwomonthsuntiltheendof presentwillbecontinueda June,1941• Bakersareremindedthatclaimantsforsubsidymustsellbreadmadefrom NationalUheatmealFlouratorbelowthepricesofsubsidisedwhiteloavesofthe sameweight.MinistryofFood.M.o.I.4. MEATRATIONUNCHANGED. TheMinistryofFoodannouncesthatfortheweek'beginningMaysththemeat rationwillremainat1/-worthforadultsand6do worth,forchildrenunder6. MinistryofFood.M.0.1.5- M.0.1,NewsBulletinN0.367»Page2, YOUNGBELGIANSESCAPETOJOINBELGIANARMYINBRITAIN. Thepro-GermanweeklyBelgianpaperCo.ssandrcreportsthathundredsofyoung BelgiansfromthesecondaryschoolsescapedfromBelgiumtoenlistintheBelgian anrnyinGreatBritain. ManyofthemhavebeenarrestedandafenowprisonersinBordeaux,Ma.con,Port Vendre,PortBouandevenasfarasSanSebastian, ToreachEngland,theseyoungstershavetocrossfivefrontiersandattempta dangerousseacrossing.-- MinistryofInformation.M.0.1.6. BRUGES"HOLYCROSS"PROCESSIONCANCELLED, BrusselsRadio(underGermancontrol)statesthatthefamousProcessionofthe HolyBloodvzhichusuallytakesplaceinBrugesonthefirstMondayofMay,hasbeen ; cancelled. Thereligious'authoritiesobjecttoitstalcingplaceowingtotheoccupation ofthecountrybyenemies. •iDuringthelastthereligiousauthoritiestookexactlythesamedecision. war, Eventhesacredrelicsvzhichhadkeenhidden,couldnotbefound.- MinistryofInformation.M.0.1.7♦ 3/5/41,No.5. AIRMINISTRYNO*3772* AIRMINISTRYANDMINISTRYOFHOMESECURITYCOMMUNIQUE. LastnightenemyaircraftagainattackedtheMerseysidearea. TheattackWasheavyandlastedseveralhours.Earlyreports suggestthatthenumberofcasualtiesmaybelargeandthata substantialamountofdamagewasdone. AnattackwasalsomadeonatowninEastAngliawhereasmall numberofcasualtieswerecausedand%onsiderablenumberofhouses weredamaged. Bombswerealsodroppedatotherwidelyseparatedpointsbut thesedidlittledamageandcaused veryfewcasualties.. Threeenemybombersweredestroyedduringthenight,twoby ourfighters,andonebyanti-aircraftgunfire.Inadditionanother enemyaircraftwasshotdownbyournightfightersoveranaerodrome inNorthernFrance,makingatotaloffourenemyaircraftdestroyed duringthenight. 3/5/41- No.lo. NOTFORPUBLICATIONBEFORE2MAY p.m.TODAY,3. NATION’SWARTH®HEALTHISGOOD. ButMinisterWarnsofDangersNextWinter. Mr.ErnestBrown,MinisterHealth,speakingatSheffieldto-dayduring atwo-daystourintheWestRidingofYorkshire,said: Thehealthofthegeneralpopulationaftereighteenmonthsof;war remarkablygood.Noneofthegloomypropheciesthatwarconditionswouldgive risetoepidemicshasbeenfulfilled.ThisispartlyduetotheGovernment’s policyefdispersalinitswidestsense:-dispersalfromthecongestedtowns,to themoreruralpartsofthe country,dispersalfromovercrowdedsheltersand dispersalwithinthesheltersthemselvestoensurethatwherepeoplehaveto inshelterstheyshalllieasfarapartfromeachotheraspossible. Ihavenow.visitedanumberoftheCivilDefenceRegionsandIhaveseenfor myselfhowgreathavebeenthe^-effortsmadebythehouseholders,thelocal authoritiesandthevoluntaryorganisationsinthereceptionareastomakea successofourmaindispersalplan-TheGovernment’sEvacuationScheme.Caring forevacueesisavitalnationalserviceandthehousewifewhodoehherbestto giveevacueesahomefromhomeismakingacontributiontooverwareffortwhich isvaluablethatoftheA.R*P«wardenbrthefire asasfighter. Butwhilstihepolicy6fdispersalhashaditsshareinkeepingthenation fightingfitduringaperiodcfunparalleledstrain,myownopinionisthatwe arenowreapingthebenefitofthegreateffortswehavemadetoimproveourhealth andsocialservicesduringthepasttwenty-fiveyears. Beforethewarweusedtohearthecriticismthatwewerespendingfartjo muchontheseservicesandthatwewerenotgettingvalueforourmoney.Thewar hasprovedhowgoodaninvestmentitwas.Wearenowreceivingthedividendsin theshapeofnationalstaminawhichhaswithstoodalltheonslaughtsofan efficient,well-preparedandhighly'organisedenemyandwhichwillultimately bringhimdown. DiphtheriaDanger. Weshouldbefailingin4urdutyifweassumedthatweshallbeasfortunate nextautumnandwinter aswewereinthemonthswhichhavejustpassed.Wemust usethespringandsummertoinquireandtoplan,buildupandtoimproveour safeguardsandourdefencesagainstthedangerstohealthwhichwillinevitably increasewiththecomingofautumnandwinter. Oneofthesedangersisdiphtheria.Thisdreadfuldiseaseattacksabout 60,000childreninBritaineveryyear,Everyyearitkillsabout3>oooofthe childrenonwhichthefutureofthisnation,andindeedthefutureofhumanity itself,solargelydepends.Yetgiventheco-operationofparentsthisdangercan bealmostcompletelywipedout. Itistruethatin1940thenumberofoasesofdiphtherianotifiedin EnglandandWales-.46,685- wasthesecondlowesttotalintenyears.Itwas 6,000belowtheaverage.Butthisisnothingtobeproudorcomplacentabout. Indeed,theChiefMedicalOfficerhasdescribeditasanationaldisgrace.We havebriughtfr«nAmericaenoughtoxoidtothreat1,000,000children,andthis addedtohrme-producedsupplieshasgivenusenoughtocarryout©uraimof securingtheimmunisationofatleastfiftypetfcentofallBritishchildren 2 betweenoneandfifteenyearsofTheMinistryurgedlocalauthoritiesto age. specialeffortsat beginningthegladoftheandIamtopaytributeto year, theresponsewhichhasbeenmadeinthetwogreatcitiesofLeedsandSheffield. ButtheMinistryandthelocalauthoritiesandthedoctorscandonothing,even incombination,withouttheco-operationoftheparents. StudentNurseswanted. Immunisationistheirchildrenwelltothe adutywhichparentsowetoasas nation.Preventableillness,whetherofadultsorchildren,isabrakeonthe nation’swareffort.Besidesreducingproductionofessentialmaterialitimposes anunnecessarystrainonhospitalaccommodation,mdoctorsandonnurses,andof neneofthesethreehaveweasurplus. Moreparticularlydowewantmoreyoungwomentotake upnursingasacareer. Weareshortofstudentnurses.Nursingiswarworkwithafuture.Inwar-time, nursingisoffirst-classnationalimportance;itwillbejustasimportantwhen thewarisover.TheGovernmenthaveacceptedtherecommendationsoftheAthlene Committeeandhavealreadytakenthefirststepstowardstheimprovementofthe status,payandconditionsofthenursingprofessionwhichislongoverdue. Reconstrueti-rnandimprovementinourhealthservices,andintheconditions ofemploymentofthosewhoareessentialanddevotedworkersintheseservices, oughtnotandwillnotbeallowedtoawaittheendofthewar.Theworld continuestorevolve.Hitler’saimistoputitinreverse. We,ontheotherhand,wanttomakeitabetterplacetolivein,netas slavesbutasfreemen*Ifthereareadvanceswhichwecanmakeinourdomestic affairswithoutinterferingwithour supremetaskofwinningthiswar,thenlet nothingstopusfrommakingthem. MINISTRYOFHEALTH. 3/5/41R0.13 AIRMINISTRYBULLETINN0.3774 AirMinistryNewsService. BOMBERPILOTSRAIDONBENGHAZI A"bomberpilotvzhohasjustarrivedinthe,'esternDesertfromEngland hadthesatisfactiontheoccasionofhisfirstraid,the onHayIst,onon portofBenghazi,ofsettingfiretoashipmooredatthenorth-eastHole. Theattackwasacombinationofpersonalcourageand.skilledflying, forthepilotwasoperatingundercloudcoversandswoopeddownoutofthe sununtilhisaircraftskimmedalmostoverthemast-topsoftheship. Incendiarybombsscoreddirecthitsonthevesselandthepilotrecounting theincidentsaid:”1sawpeoplerunningfromtheshiplikehares.As-I turnedav/ayaftertheattackmyrear gunnerreportedthattheshipvrason Are." Thesquadrontowhichthispilotbelongshasworkedunceasinglysince theGermanadvancebeganinLibyainraidingports,shipping,aerodromes, encampments,storesandtroopsandconvoysonthemove. 3/5/41- No.16, AIRMINISTRYBULLETINNo.3775* AirMinistryNewsService. HURRICANES’SUCCESSIN’/ESTERNDESERT. HurricanesofdesertsquadronsoftheR.A.F.whichmaintain constantoffensivepatrolsenemyterritoryagainhadsuccessful overa dayinafierceclashsouth-westofTobruk,three on MayIst,when, Messerschmitt109swereshotdown. ”Vewerepatrollingthearea,”saidoneofthepilotswhotook partintheoperation,’’whenwesawfourMesserschmitt109®engagedin bombing.\:ediveddownand,aswedidso.,becameinvolvedwiththeescort ofMesserschmitt109s.Therewasahecticdogfight.” Thecombat was,however,ofshortdurationandthethreeMesser- schmitt109s,oneoftheminflames,wereseencrashingawaytothe groundafewminutesaftertheyhadbeenengaged.TheotherGerman aircraftwerescattered.OneBritishpilotwasreportedmissingafter theengagement. Withinaweek,pilotsofthesquadronwhichwroughtsuchhavocto theItalianAirForceinthefirstLibyancampaignhavedestroyedtwo Messerschmitt110sandthreeMesserschmitt109s.Thesquadron’slistof D.F.C’s,alreadyconsiderable,hasjustbeenincreased,asyetanotherof thepilotshasbeenawardedthisdecoration. LaterinthesamedayasthefightwithMesserschmittsanother patrolfromthesamesquadronsuccessfullymachine-gunnedtwoenemy thetrackfromGambuttoElAdem. convoyson Hofthe YTedefinitelyfixedupsomeofthetrucks,”saidonepilots, ’’andweshotdownanumberofenemytroopsastheypiledoutofvehicles andranforcover. r \,esawthemtumblingdownunderourfire.” 3/5/Ui-No.17 FRENCHSOMALILAND:ADENIAL TheHeadquartersoftheFreeFrenchForceshave issuedthefollowingcommunique:- Vichyhasdeclaredontheradiothatimportantelements ofFreeFrenchForceshadgatheredatZeilahand Douenlen,togetherwithBritishtroops,withaviewto militaryactionagainstFrenchSomaliland.Thereisnotruth insuchastatement,theunlikelinessofwitchwepointedout inourcommuniqueofMonday,April28th. TheHeadquartersoftheFreeFrenchForcesin Lomdonstateinthemostcategoricalwaythattheyhave notroopsatZeilah. HEADQUARTERSOFFREEFRENCHFORCES 3/5/41--No.16 PRESSNOTICE Th©followingmessagehasbeensenttothePolish AdmiraltybytheCommander-in-Chief,HomeFleet:-* ”0ntheanniversaryofthePolishConstitution,I wishtoconveytoyoutheFleet’shighappreciationof theserviceswhichthePolishNavyisrenderingtoour commoncause.Ihave"beenmuchimpressedbythehigh efficiencyandthesplendidspiritoftheofficersand ratingsofthePolishshipswhichareorhavebeenunder mycommand,anditisaparticularpleasuretomethat someofyourfine,youngofficersarenowservinginmy flagshipandinothershipsincompany.” ADMIRALTY. 3/5A1-No.19 A IRMINISTRYNO3776 AIRMINISTRYCOMMUNIQUE HamburgwasheavilyattackedbyaircraftofBomber Commandlastnight.Extensivedamagewasdone,andlarge fireswereseenintheindustrialareasofthecityand aroundthedocks. OtheraircraftofthesameCommandattackedEmden ndtheoilstoresatRotterdamduringthenight. DuringdaylightoperationsofftheDutchcoast yesterdaybyBlenheimaircraftofBomberCommand,direct hitswerescoredontwoenemysupplyvessels,eachofabout 500tons*Onewassetonfireandtheotherisbelieved tohavebeensunkoutright. Fourofouraircraftaremissingfromtheseoperations. 3/5/41No.20 CHEESERATIONINGPEGINSON'MONDAY TherationingofcheesewillbeginonMonday,May5 thegeneralrationbeingattherateofIoz.nerheadperweek. Aspecialrationattherateof8ozs.perheadperweek, inplaceofthegeneralration,isprovidedforundergroundminers, agriculturalworkersandvegetarianswhofulfilthenecessary conditions,andhavebeenfurnishedbyFoodOfficerswithspecial pagesofcoupons. Cheeserationsforthewholefourweeksmaybepurchased atanytimewithineachperiodoffourweeksbutanunusedcoupon toanyweekinonesuchperiodoffourweekscannotbe usedinthenextperiodoffourweeks.Thefirstperiodof fourweekswillbefromMay5toJuneI(coupons18-21),the secondperiodfromJune2toJune29(coupons22-25)andso , on. MembersofH.M.ForcesholdingLeaveorDutyRationCards RBBorRB6aareallowedacheeserationattherateofIoz.per week.Theamountofthecheeserationwhichmaybeobtainedby theuseoftheweeklySeaman’sRationBook(RB6)isUozs.per week. MINISTRYofFOOD. 3.5.U*-No,21. MIDDLEEASTWARCOMMUNIQUE. ThefollowingcommuniquewasissuedtodayfromBritishC.H.Q*, Cairo: LIBYA:Yesterdaythe enemyagainmadedeterminedeffortsagainst thedefencesofTobruk*Althoughalargenumberoftanks wereemployedourtroopsheldtheirgroundandinflicted heavylossesontheenemy*Beforenightfalltheenemy pressurerelaxedandnofurthereffortsweremadeduring lastnight* IntheSoliumareaoneofourmechanisedcolumns,after makingawidedetour,surprisedaconsiderablebodyofthe eneiny,Anumberofprisonerswascaptured,togetherwitha fieldgun*Inothersectorsofthisareaourpatrolling activitieswerecontinued* ABYSSINIAFurtherprogresshasbeenmadeintheadvanceuponAmba. Alagi*Ourcolumnoperatingfromthenorthyesterday capturedacommandingfeatureoverlookingthemainposition, whilecurSoutherncolumnoccupiedWaldia,50milesnorth ofDessye.TwohundredColonialprisonerswerecaptured, duringthisoperation,whileafurther600Italiansard 200ColonialshavebeentakenatDessye* Inthesouthernareaourtroops9afterasharpengagement, occupiedtheenemypostofFIKE.,capturing135Italians, 100Colonials,fivegunsandaquantityofotherwar material* MINISTRYOFINFORMATION. 5/5/41- N0,22 "ALLISQUIETINBAGDAD." ItwasofficiallystatedinLondonthataccordingtoinformation receivedtodayfromSirKinahanCornwallis,theBritishAmbassdorin allisquietinBagdad.Whilethesituationthereis Bagdad,tense, noincidenthassofaroccurred. FOREIGNOFFICENEWSDEPART:,!ENT. - No»23, AIRMINISTRYBULLETINNO.3778* AIRMINISTRYNEUSSERVICE. HAMBURGATTACKED. Greatdamagewasdonetothedocksandindustrialquartersof Hamburglastnight.Therewasnothingtohidethegroundfromour bombersandmanylargefiresweresconstarted. Asthe.highexplosivesthundered-intothefirestherewereviolent flashes,farbrighterthanthesurroundingflames,and ofsparksshowers flewineyerydirection.Atothertimestheburstsof heavybombswere hiddenbeneaththesmokerisingabovetheflames,butourcrewsclearly sawsolidblocksofmasonrytossedintotheairthroughthesmokeand highaboveit* AllthewaytoHamburgtheweatherhadbeenclear,withthemoon reflectedintheseaandwaterways.GermanfightersneartheFrisian Islandstriedtobarthewayandoccasionallytheyhadtheadvantage ofseeingourbombersbelowthem,darkagainstthemoonlit Butourbombersshookofftheenemyandkeptontheircourseto Hamburg,wheretheyhadtopieroesuccessiveconcentrationsofanti- aircraftfirebeforetheywentmethodicallytowork. 3.5.U.- No r24. THERE-BIRTHOFPOLAND. BroadcastbyGeneralSikorslci,ontheanniversaryof thePolishConstitution,intheB.B.C. Polishprogrammetoday,May3rd,1941- InmomentsofdangertotheState,anationsoundauntedasthe Polish,risestodeedsofincomparablequalities.Duringherpast history,notfreefromtragicperiods,Polandproveditmanyatime. OneoftheseunforgetableeventswastheConstitutionofMay3rd,1791. PassedbytheFour-yearParliament,withfullco-operationofthemiddle classeswhich,althoughnotrepresentedintheHouse,hadopportunities - ofexpressingtheiropinionsinspecialassemblies-itopenedtothe nationa -waytocompleterebirth. ThisConstitutioncouldassuremeasuresnecessaryforself-defence againstanyonslaughtofherneighbours,whichthenaswellas now, threatenedusfromtheWestandtheEast.Onlylackofgoodtimeand organisationofourmilitaryforcespreventedthiswisereformtobeput intolife. PolandfellunderthesuperiormightofGermanyandRussia.Her neighboursgovernedthenasdespoticallyastoday*fullyunderstoodthat theRepublicbyperfectingherconstitutionandgivingthepeopleafree anddemocraticgovernment,wouldnotonlyrestoreinternalorder*Vut wouldbecomeintimeastrongobstacletotheirimperialisticintentions. Polandof1539wasinherselfasimilarobstacletothecriminal doubtthe plansofHitler.Eventsjustified,without, opinionthatona strongPolanddependstheexistenceandfreedomof*allsmallerstatesin theEastofEurope,Theylosetheirindependence,beingoverrunbyGermany orRussia,inthemomentofourdownfall. /The 2- TheConstitutionofMay3rdisanexampleofarevolutioncarriedout withoutbloodshed.Itcreatedaneworder,withoutcausinganydestruction twipedoutthegreatestevil,thePolish"liberumveto”,introducinga democraticgovernmentoftheState,whichotherPowersadoptedonlyduring thenextcentury.Itdividedthelegislative,administrativeandjudicial authorities.Byclassestherightsof"nemintem givingthemiddle ’’ captivabimus,itlevelleddifferencesbetweentheseclasses-andthegentry. Finally,bytakingthepeasantsundertheprotection.oftheState,itmade aserioussteptowardstheequalityofallclasses. ByadoptingtheConstitutionofMay3rd,Polandentered150yearsago onawhichinthefuturethegreatestandwealthiestdemocracies,i.e., way, GreatBritainandtheU.S.A.weretofollow. , Enviousneighbourshave,itistrue,destroyedthiswork,beingafraid ofitseffect upontheirowncitizens.Itscreation,however,provesfor alltimethatournationbelongedlongsincetothos©wholovelibertyand socialJusticeaboveall. Ishallrefraintodayfromsadreflections.Butatthismomentallmy thoughtsgotoourheroiclandtowhichweareboundasitslegalgovernment TheygotothosemillionsofPolishcitizens,brutallyremovedfromtheir ownhomes,whosuffermiseryandpersecutionofamostpainfulcharacter. Theygotothosewhosufferfortheirunbreakableandundauntedspiritwhile inthehandsofoppressorswithoutanyscruples,whosebarbarismisoutof anycontrol. Onlyanation,whichcangiv-upeverythingindefenceofliberty, andhonour,canberedlygreat.ThePolishnationshowed thesethepresenthistoricalcatastrophe. qualitiesduringTodayitis spirituallygreat.Tomorrowitwillbegreatineveryrespect. BRITISHBROADCASTINGCORPORATION 3.5.41No.26. H.O,R,A,F, •AIRMINISTRY5779Middle.East. M.y3. MIDDLEEASTCOIIIUNI',UE IntheWesternDesertyesterday(Friday)fighersandbombersof theRoyalAirForcecontinuedtoharasstheenemyA convoynearElAden, washeavilyraided,manyofthevehiclesbeingsetonfireandothers demiaged.OneME.109and.oneME.110wereshotdownbyfightersin theTobrukarea. InAbyssiniafighteraircraftoftheSouthAfricanAirForceshot down5.79 oneAgaroatdestroyedandgroundoneOR.32ontheatG-imma. EnemytrenchesanddefenceswerebombedatDebraTabor,whileinthe Falagapassa.ndtheLakeAsciangiareaconsiderabledamagewascaused bydirecthitsonmotortransportparks,storesandconvoys,andover fiftyvehiclesweredamagedbymachine-gunfire. IntheA.F.bombersattackedar.enemydestroyer andmerchantship.Threedirecthitsdestroyerthe wereregister!on andoneonthemerchantship.Subsequentreconnaissanceproved,both tohavebeensunk. ixJU.88wasdestroyedbyanti-aircraftfireduringthenightof April30/l'feyIst. Fromalloperationsnneofouraircraftismissing. < 3,5.41*No*28, THESITUATIONINIRM, thelastfew DuringdaystheIraqGovernmenthadpostedtroopsround theBritishaerodromeatHabbaniya;trenchesweredugandgunsweremounted ontheedgeofthedesertplateauoverlookingtheaerodrome. • Arequestthatthesetroopsshouldbewithdrawnwasmetbythe dispatchoffurtherforces. OntheearlymorningofMay2hostilitiesbrokeout,theIraqi artilleryopeningfirepoint-blankontheaerodrome.Habbaniyaisan RbA.F.trainingcentreand,asaresult,theaircrafttherearelargely thetheand trainingmachines;cantonment,whichhousesgroundstaffthe ■mallguardofAssyrianlevies,isunfortified, Accordingtothelatestreportsreceived,anumberofouraircraft hasbeendestroyedonthegroundandsomecasualtieshavebeensustained. OuraircrafttookactionandanumberoftheIraqigunshavebeensilenced byourbombing.Yesterdayafternoon,theIraqiAirForceattemptedto raidtheaerodrome,butwithoutsuccess. Fridaynightpassedquietly,butshellingstartedagainthis morningandfightingisstillinprogress. AsregardsIraqiclaimstohaveoccupiedtheoilwellsandall theaerodromesofthecountry,itshouldbepointedoutthatthesehave always.beeninIraqihands,withthesingleexceptionofShaibaaerodrome, Basra,wheresofarasisknownnohostileactionhasbeenattempted. NothingisknownanythingjustifyingtheIraqiclaimto hereof haverepulsed,aBritishattackonRUTBAinwesternIraq*andthestory thatBritishtanksweredestroyedonanaerodromethereiscertainly untrue. MINISTRYOFINFORMATION, 3/5/U1- No.29. OFFICIALADMIRALTYCOMMUNIQUE TheBoardofAdmiraltyregrets,toannounce .thattheArmedMerchantCruiserH.M.S.VOLTAIRE (ActingCaptainJ.A.P.Blackburn,D.S.C., R.N.) isoverdueandmust.beconsideredlost. Thenextofkinhavebeeninformed. ADMIRALTY6S.W.1. 305.U.- No,30* AIRMINISTRYNO.3781„ A>IRMINISTRYINDMINISTRYOFHOMESECURITYCOMMUNIQUE. Therehasbeensomeenemyactivityduringdaylighttoday,mostly neartheSouth-EastandSouth-Westcoasts.Noreportshavebeen receivedofbombsbeingdroppedinanyarea,. Thisafternoonan enemyaircraftwasshotdownintotheseaoffthe coastofKenthyanti-aircraftgunfire<» Itisknownthatasecondbomberwasdestroyedbyanti-airoraft gunfirelastnight.,makingatotaloffiveduringthenighty 3<.seU.- Nop31. AIRMINISTRYBULLETINNO,3780. AIRMINISTRYNEWSSERVICE.. BACKPROMLEAVETO"CRYHAVOC”. ThisisastoryofthecrewofanAmericanHavocnightfighterwho havebeenovertoFranceontwonightsthisweektoseethatsomeofthose Germanbombersreturningfromraidsdidnotmanageto onEngland reachhome.Theyshotdowntwo© Onthefirstnight,despitethepitchdarkness,theyfoundthe' aerodrometheyweremakingfor,andfiveminutesaftertheyarrived,they werewatchinganaircraftwhichhadtriedtoattackthemburstinginto flamesasithittheground* Ithadbeenriddledwithbulletsfired,bythereargunner. ThatwaslastTuesdaynight.OnFridaynightthesametriowentout andthisthefiredhisfrontguninto again,time,pilotonenemybomber 1 overanotheraerodrome*Hegaveitonlytwosecondsburstoffire.He hadtimedownthe noformoreoHewasstreakingon enemytooquickly* AshisHavocsweptover,theGermanexplodedwithsuchterrificforce thattheHavocwasthrown manyfeetintotheairn Allthatwasleftwasamassofburningfragmentsfallingtothe itsbasescratchesandthe groundwhiletheHavocreturnedtowithdentson fuselagecausedbypiecesofthebomberhittingitwhentheywereflungin theair. TheSergeantPilot?aged2i+,wasatravellerwithafirmofwholesale furriersbeforethewar,duringhistrainingwiththeR.A.F.V.R©hebroke had bothlegsin1939and.attheendofthatyeartogothroughallhis flyingtrainingagainbeforehewaspassedtoanightfightersquadron. Hesaidyesterday;-”Weflewtoanaerodromewherereturningbombers wereobviouslyexpected*Our gunnersawonebombertotherightbuthe wastoofarwayandhadlandedbeforewecouldgetathim* /We -2- ”Wechasedasecondoneintoacloud,andasIwaspreparingtofollow him,Isawathirdbomberfarawaytomyright.Hewassomedistancebelow Idivedacrossathimandopenedfire,thenbrokeawaywhenwewereless us, than50yardsbehind.Aswesweptoverthetopoftheenemy,heblewup 1theair.” Thegunnerwhowasreadytofireasecondburstintotheenemysawit explode. ”1wasreadytofirewhensuddenlytheenemybomberblewup,firstwith abrightorangeflashandthenasecondbiggerexplosion,”hesaid. "Theblastfromtheexplosionblewourmachineupwardsandthewholeof theaircraftinsidewasilluminatedbytheglare,” ’’Allthishapperadwithinfiveminutesof<*urarrivingevertheaerodrome/’ saidtheobserver,continuingthestory. ”Afterthatwecircledroundanddropped•urbombs.Therewereseveral bigexplosionsonthegroundandthreeminutesafterwehadleftIsawseveral coreexplosions,Iamconfidentthatwehitanumberofaircraftonthe g.undandpossiblyanammunitiondump.Onourwaybackwesawfiresover otherstartedbythebimbsothermembers>f aerodromesof•ur.squadron.” TheSergeantObserverwhosehemeisinStewarden,nearKilmarnock,is20 yearsofageandbeforethewarwasemployedinanexplosive,factory.The airgunner,whois25’-andlivesinWalthamstow,wasamasterbutcherbeforehe joinedtheR.A.F,atthebeginningofthewar. ThegunnerdescribedthatTuesdaynight’ssuccessinthesewords:- “Iwasbombsburstinganddecidedtogetbacktomyguns, watchingour IsawancomingupandIlethimhaveit. enemyaircraftIgavehimalongA burstandhedivedpastourtail.Isquirted,athimagainashewentby. Ihistracerbulletsbuthemissed.Ourhimcrashtothe sawus,pilotsaw groundandexplode.”