~9/_~gL,_,39..___ No._ i:. Not to_b e____9.£0t~....§P.,_QfJ_J...£.i!3-l__ AQ!.:l:I:!'~~~:.~.Y--~.D.OU]2s;_Gm.§..!lh GJ~Rr-1f.1tT_SUBM.t.RINE METHODS If there is one thing the German U··boats dislike, it is the loss of torpedoes ,. 'l1his is understandable, for a submarine can carry only a limited number of torpedoes, and the journey back to the bases for supplies is both long and hazardous for the U-boats. There was therefore some excuse for annoyance on the part of the U-boat captaj_n who fired three torpedoes at a British merchant ship without scoring a hit ·-but there can be no shadow of excuse, either for his attempt to torpedo the merchant ship vvithout warning, or for the ruthless man-killing methods vrhich he afterwards ad.opted. It was nearly ele"1en o 1 c:ock on a clear night in the Bay of Biscay when the officer on the watch on the bridge of the British steamer USKMOUTH saw a torpedo track passjng close ahead of the ship. The USKMOUTH 1s helm was at once put overl and as the ship was swinging the track of a second torpedo passed close to the bowso Then, as the USKMOUTH was stil2-swinging unc~er her helm the track of a third torpedo was seen., This :passed astern of the USKMOUTH. P-rompt use of the helm had enabled the merchant ship to dodge three torpedoes fired without warning,·. but she was n·)t to es.capeo The U-boat opened fire with her guns at a range of only about 300 yards. Not only did the U-b0at begin shelling while the crew of the USKMOU'rH were getting to the boats, but the Germans fired high and used shrapnel. The U-boat captain was determined to cause as many casualties as possible among the defenceless merchant seaman vrho had cost him three pr~cious torpedoes o The port lifeboat was darnaged by shell·~·fire. A shell cut one of the falls of the boata The boatswain, who was in this boat getting it r eady for lowering, was throvvn /into into the sea. Another shell, bursting over the upper deck 9 killed the third officer and one of the seamen. The Chief Officer tried to go to the aid of the fallen men, but another shell burst overhead and wounded him in the head. Ileanwhile the remainder of the crew succeeded in lowering the starboard boat and getting into it. Blinded with blood 9 the wounded Chief Officer just succeeded in reaching this boat. That lifeboat, with twenty-two men on board, pulled away from the ship9 while the submarine continued her shelling. Not only had the U-boat deliberately set herslef to inflict casualties on the USKMOUTH's crew as they were abandoning ship, but at no time was any attempt made to ensure the safety of those in the lifeboat. They were left to fend for themselves in an open boat a hundred and twenty miles from land. By magnificent seamanship. that lifeboat sailed nearly 120 miles at a speed of nearly six knots and actually sighted land before being picked up by the Italian motor vessel JUVENTUS. Before abandoning the USKMOUTH, the wireless operator succeeded in getting out S.O.S. signals. These were picked up by a French warship which was about 65 miles away. It dashed at full sp-eed for the pos_ition ·given in the S.O.S. message and 9 by a miracle, found the boatswain of the USKMOUTH alive in the water. 'i'he warship did not stop at once to ;pick him up, for there was a good chance of being able to sink the U-boat. It therefore dropped a raft close to the man and rushed on to attack the U-boat. After do~ng so the French warship returned and picked him up. There seems every reason to believe that the French warship sank the U-boat, thus claiming rapid vengeance for one of the most brutal attacks ever made -even by German submarines. 29/12./39 FRENCH OFFICIAL COHi,'iUNI O,UE (Liorning) The following communique was issued this morning from the French G.H.Q:­ Nothing of importance to reporto +++++++ No• 2. 29/12/39 CORD FOR CANADIAN MINING REQUIREMENTS. The F1ax Controller of Great Britain has released sufficient braided linen cord to take care of Canadian mining requirements for t 1::ro months. These cords are used on filters in the mining and metallurgical industries. .A shortage would have affected the production of three million dolla;.:-s·? worth of gold annually and half the Noranda production of copper, There is no knovvn substitute. -·---oOo---­ EMPIRE .AFF.A~.RS. NOT TO BE QUOTED AS AN 29.11.39. -No.4. AIR MINI STHY ANNOUNCEMENT. WOMAN'S GRATITUDE TO R.A.F. PILOT. As she sat knitting in her Surrey home, a woman listened to a young New Zealand air pilot broadcasting the story of an experience which he and his crew had had whilst on af'light over the North Sea. Quite simply, he related the story of how they had been attacked in their bomber aircraft, how they had apparently been struck by lightning, and how, going af't to prepare the rubber dinghy for use in case they fell into the sea, the navigator had discovered that both wings were badly damagedo The young New Zealander has now received a Christmas parcel from the woman who was knitting and listening. In the parcel was a navy blue scarf and a letter. "Being a New Zealander and having many relations there, I was intensely interested in your broadcast, and want to thank you and so many others unknown who are so bravely and courageously helping dear old England," runs the letter. "Will you ldndly accept this scarf9 which I was knitting when you were broadcasting? It might come in useful on one of those cold nights which you mentioned. God bless and keep you". AIR MINISTRY, King Charles Street, Whitehall, S.\'! .1. -------000------­ 29.12.39/No. 5 P.N. 1605. PRESS NOTICE. The Postmaster General desires to remind persons wishing to send zmall. sums of money to Canada that British Postal Orders are not payable at any Canadian Post Office. GENERAL POST OFFICE· 29th December~ 1939. 29.12.39/No.6. }>.N. 1606. PRESS NOTICE. Letter and Parcel Services to Poland. The Postmaster General announces that the letter and parcel post services to the Vilna Region· and to that part of Poland which has been occupied by Soviet forces have been restored. GENERAL POST OFFICE· 29th December, 1939. 29/12/39 No. 7. EDUCATION FOR MEMBERS OF THE CANADIAN FORCES CONVERSATIONAL FRENCH AND GERMAN Through the jJint effort of the Canadian Association for Adult Education and the Canadian Legion, acting on the instructions from the Director of Auxiliary services, members of the Canadian Forces will enjoy the benefit of modern adult education. The method of instruction will consist of talks, discussions, and allotted reading rather than in mere lectu~eso Special importance will be given to courses in conversational French and German. Consideration is also to be given in some ~uarters to the completion of courses leading to matriculation and the B.Ao Degree. The Universities of Canada and the Department of Education of the various provinces have been invited, and have agreed, to co-operate in this scheme. Where French-Canadian troops are concerned, the responsibility is left with the representatives of the French­Canadian section of the Canadian Association for Adult Education~ Special .arrangement£ have be.en made for--the Hamilton region and Prince Edward Island. The proj€ct has been explained to the chiefs of the Naval and Air Staff.s and their support has been secured. ++++++++++ EMPIRE AFFAIRS. 29L12/39. -No. 8. HINISTRY OF FOOD ANNOUNCEMENT Control of Ships' Stores The Ships' Stores (Control) Order made by the Ministry of Food provides that on and after January 8th, 1940, (1) Ships' Stores Dealers, Shipping Butchers and others who normally supply ~ood for use as Ships' Stoves to foreign-going ships, and to fishing vessels proceeding to distant fishing grounds will require licences. (2) Certain specified foodstuffs can be shipped for use as Ships' Stores only as permitted by the proper offir.er of Customs and Excise. The licences which are now being issued will take effect from January 8th, and on and af'ter that date the Owner or Master. of a foreign-going ship or fishing vessel proceeding to distant fishing grounds will be required to make application at a Custom House on a special form of Stor~s Authority (Form No , R~25) for permission to ship the SJ;H~e1f'ied food_stuffs. Modified arrangements will apply to Br-itish vessels ei,gaged. -in -the. home or-coasting trade and the Master of such a vessel will be able to obtain supplies on making a Declaration on Form No. S.27 to the effect that his vessel is so engaged. Copies of Forms No. s. 25 and s.27 and further particulars regarding the procedure to be adopted can be obtained at any Custom House. 29.12.39 -No.9 BRITISH HELP POR POLI SH REFUGEES IN HUNGARY AND ROUNIANIA. ----·---------­ Christmas was brightened for Polish refugees in Hungary and Roumania by the ari"'i val of the first shipments of clothing from Britain. Already more than 100,000 articles of cl othi_;1_g are on thei r way , many of them given by the British public, but still more :purchased out of the Government grant of £100,000 for Polish relief. Each week new consignments are being sent . The clothing will be distributed by the local re9resentatives of the Polish Relief Fund of 10 , Grosvenor Place, London, S. W.l., with the assistance of the Hungarian and Roumanian Red Cross organisations, to camps and hostels of refugees throughout the length and breadth of the two countri es. 'I'he refugees are not slow in hel ping themselves. For instance , a Roneo machine bought out of' British funds in Bucharest, i s now turning out daily hundreds of nevvs bulletins and camp magazines for the Poles, YV'ho are thirsting for liter>ature i n their own tongue . Soon three more machines, :)urchased fr>om the British Government' s grant, vvill be available . FOREIGN O:fJ'.JCE. __________ooo_________ \ 29/12/39 No. 10. ROYAL VISIT FILM IN CANADA. It has been announced that the Government is presenting its share of the proceeds of the Royal Visit film to the Canadian Red Cross and this has been followed by similar gifts from the distributors. The Famous Players Canadian Corporation have stated that a proportion of the theatre proceeds of the film will go to the local branches of the Canadian Red Cri-0ss ..... ill. all -d.is-tJ:'-i.ct-s vvher-e-the . :f.'.ilrn .. . i s sh.own. ++++++++++ EMPIRE AFFAIRS / NOT TO BE PUBLISHED BEFORE THE MORNIHG NEWSPAPERS OF MONDAY, 1 ST JANUARY 9 19l!.O, OR BROADCAST rv;\ BEFORE 8 A.M. OH MONDAY, 1ST JANUARY, 19L~O. ROYAL AIR I'ORCE A1:7ARDS. The Air Mi:i.1istry announces: ­ The King h-4~ been graciously pleased to approve of the f6llowing awards to members of the Royal Air For~e in recognition of gallaj_1try displayed in flying operations against the enemy. Awarded the Dist~shed Flying ~ross. (1) Squadron Leader (Acting Wing Commander) John Francis GRIFFITHS. During December, 1939, in spite of adverse weather and strong enemy opposition by anti-·aircraft guns and e11.emy fightel's, ' this officer led his squadron of 12 aircraft, and car~ied out a successful reconnaissance over strong Naval enemy forces. The determination with which he pressed home this recen­naissance enabled him to bring back information of vital importance. In the course of this operation his formation accounted for no less than five enemy aircraft. By his personal example aj_1d thoroughness , he has been largely instrumen.tal in maintaining his lli1it's high standard of efficiency. (2) Squadron Leader Harry BROADHURST s A.F.C. This officer was in command of the duty Squadron at an East Coast aerodrome duri.t-i.g November, 1939, when he was informed of an approaching enemy aircraft. The weather conditions were un:fit for forrnation-flying and so, despite the rain and clouds at ground-level, he toolc off alone, flying blind by means of instruments. He emerged above the cloud and whilst trying to cl.eaI' up an iced-up windscreen, he sighted the enemy aircraft. Squadron Leader BROADHURST attacked and caused it to tu1.,n on its side and /dive 2 dive vertically into cloud close to sea level. In following it down he narrowly escaped from crashing into the sea. On his retur-~ weather conditions had not improved, and it was oi.1ly at the third attempt that he was able to regain his aerodrome. (3) Pilot Officer Kenneth Neil GRAY. (4) Pilot Officer Frank Hugh LONG. Pilot Officer GRAY and Pilot Officer LONG were respectivel~ Pilot and Navigator on a night reco1~1aissance flight over enemy territory during November, 1939. Duri11g the operations a snowstorm was ei1coW1tered and the aircraft became badly iced-up, il1 addition to being subjected to anti-aircraft fire. Nevertheless the reco1~1aissance flight was continued, but it was not fom1d possible to reach the objective, as eventually weather conditions rendered the aircraft practically impossible to control, the upper surface of one wing and half that of the other wing having been stripped of fabric and one 11 flap11 jammed dovm. The wireless apparatus also failed, The journey home involved a flight of 3L~2 miles over the sea during very heavy rainstorms, and it was mainly due to the skill, courage, and splendid tea.rn work of Pilot Officer GRAY and Pilot Officer LONG that the aircraft and crew were brought safely back. (5) Pilot Officer Selby Roger HENDERSON. During Novem0er, 1939, when pilot of a reconnaissance air­craft on duty over the North Sea, Pilot Officer . HENDERSON encountered two large enemy flying boats. He engaged the leading boat with the utmost resolution; bursts were seen to enter the engines and after part of the flying boat's hull, the enemy rear gm1aer was incapacitated and even'i:;ually the flying boat went down partially out of control. /Pilot • 3 Pilot Officer HENDERSON then attacked the second eneaav air­craft with equal determination and silenced its fire befo7e exhausting all his ammunition. Awar;ded the Distinguished Flying ,M~4a1. (1) Corporal Alexander BICKERSTAFF. During operations over enemy territory in December, 1939, this airman, as tail gw.il1er, maintained a steady and accurate fire at all enemy aircraft that came within range. He himself' shot down one Messerschmitt which had engaged the leader's air­oraft at .extremely close range. Corporal BICKERSTAFF quickly brought his guns to bear and directed a cool and accurate fire, his tracer being seen to pass directly through the pilot's position before the enemy aircraft burst into flames and crashed into the sea. (2) Corporal Cedric Charles PETTIT. During operatio:i.1s over ei.1emy te1"'ri tory in December, 1939, this airman, when acting as tail gTu1:cier in the leading aircra:rt of the second section, engaged all enemy aircraft that came within range. He brought a well-directed cross-fire to bear on aircrai't attacking the leading formation, in addition to engaging the enemy duri:ng their attacks on another section. He remained absolutely steady throughout the acti011,, his standard of i-1re discipline being of the highest order. (3) Leading Aircraftman John James COPLEY. Leading Aircraftman COPLEY was the tail air gu.;.~1er il\ an aircraft taking part in a raid over enemy territo1..y during December, 1939. When his aircraft became isolated from the tormat~ion and Vias attacked by an enemy fighter aircraft from astel"j.1 he open.ed fir·e at a range of a:pproximately 200 yards, subsequently get·ting in at least two bursts of 20 rounds each at poin~ blank rai1ge, causD~g the aircraft to pull into a climbing tu!ll# stall a114 /Qve 4 dive out of control. During this engagement Leading Aircraftman COPLEY's aircre.ft was hit in numerous vital pleces by enem,y bullets9 and yet despite the fact that he himself was injured by the gun-fire from the attacking aircraft, he maintained control of his fire and ;uanipulation of the gun turret9 setting a very high standard for other air gunners. NOTES ON C.1-'\REERS 'Jing Com.1ana_er Griffiths is 34 years old. He irrns born at Stamf'ord City, Welland, Canada~ and was educated at Earl Grey School and Nest Canada College 9 Calgary, Alberta, the Niagara Falls Collegiate Institute and the Royal Military College, Kingston~ Ontario~ He served in the Royal Canadian Air Force as Probationary Pilot Officer from 1924 to 1926, and in the latter year was given a con1i11issj_on in the Royal Air Force as Pilot Off'icer. He became Flying Officer in 1928, Flight Lieutenant in 1930 and Squadron Leader in 1937. He has been acting Wing Conunander since September 28th last. Wing Co~nander Griffiths served in India for sever~l years, and has since been in :flying duties at home and Mediterranean stations. x x x Squadron r,eader Broadhurst was born at Fr:Lmley, Surrey and is 34 years of age. He was educated at Portsmouth Grammar School. Before joining the RoA.Fo in 1926 as Pilot Officer he served as 2nd Lieutenant in the Hampshire Heavy Brigade, Royal Artillery, Territorial Army. He became Flight Lieutenant in 1932 and Squadron Leader in 1937. While serving in India he was:i mentioned in Dispatches during the North West Frontier campaign in 193L In 1934 he se:c•ved in Egypt. /He 5 He has been ground instructor at a flying training school in England and last year attended a course at the Staff College. He received the Air Force Cross as a New Year's Honour in 1937 for administrative and other duties. x x x · Pilot Officer Long was born at Masterton, Ne''' Zealand in 1916, and was educated at 1'1fairarapa High School. He was trained in the Royal New Zealand Air Fo~ce and was given a cormnission in the Royal Air Force in May~ 1929. x x x Pilot Officer Gray is 25 years old. He was born at Papanni, Christchurch, New Zealand. He was educated at Christ's College, Christchurch; Y\Tellesley Boys Sehool, Wellington; and Napler Boys' High School. He served in the Territorial Army of New Zealand, and in 1937 obtained a commission in the R.A.F. He has since served in this country. x x x Pilot Officer Henderson is 21 years of age. He was born at Winnipeg, Canada, and was educated at Kelvin High School and St. Paul's College, Winnipeg. He seTved as a Lieutenant ' Cadet in the Fort Garry Horse Cadets from 1931 to 1936~ and in the latter year was granted a commission as Pilot Officer in the R.A.F. He has since been engaged in flying duties in this country. x x x Corporal Bickerstaff is 27. He was born at Toxteth Park East, Liverpool, and was a clerk before joining the R.A.F. as an aircraft apprentice in 1929. He has since served at home stations, pnd was made an air gunner in 1935. He was promoted Corporal the same yoar. /Corporal I' 6 Corporal Pettit was born at Bury St. Edmunds in J anuary 1912.. He was a cl~rk before joining the R.A.F. He became an aircraft apprentice in 1928 and vrns made a gunner in 1935. He has served in India and Irak as ;,;_rell as at home. He was promoted Corporal in 1938. x x x Leading Aircraftman Copley was born at Brierley, Barnsley~ in August 1912. He was formerly a colliery engineman. He enlistca_ as an airman in 1935 and has since served at home stations. He became an air gunner in .1938. Press and Publicity Br anch, Air Ministry, King Charles Street, · Whitehall, S. W ... 1. 28.12.39. 29/12/39 No.12 AIR RAII?._ STORY DENIED The Air Ministry announces:­ Reports published in certain English and Scottish newspapers this morning describing an air engagement off the Scottish Coast yesterday are without foundation. Activity by Fighter and Coastal Command patrols in · this area taken in combination with gunnery practice, may provide the explanation. +++++++ AIR AFFAIRS 29/12/39 -No. 13, OFFICIAL ADMIRALTY STATEMENT A torpedo attack has been made on a British battleship by a U-boat. Some damage was caused and three men were killed. The next-of-kin of the casualties will be informed as soon as possible. ----000---­ ADMIRALTY. 29/12/39 ~ No 14. THE THWARTED COUP IN SOUTH-WEST .AFRICA Further details of an attempted Nazi putsch in South-West Africa have ··been revealed in the South African Press. Cases which~re destined fqr South­ ' West Africa .in Ma.rch were opened by the police in Capetown and found to contain arms and ammunition and machine-gun parts. Some cases were marked as radios and refrigerators, and the largest parts of machine-guns. wer.e pao.k.ed-to -resemble agricultural machineryo EMPIRE AFFAIRS. ~ EIVIPIRJAFFAIRS • 29/12/39 No. 15 -:;; ..-.............i..,-.;:...~~~ EXTEtTSION OF '.I'HE ROYAL CANADIAN AIH FORCE Head~uarters of the Royal Canadian Air Force have been transferred to a more conrrnodious structure on Bank Street from the some·what re­strictec1 quarters occupied. for many years in the Canadian Building. The move was rnaa_e necessary by the present rapid expansion of the R. Co A. F. Air Vice-Marshal G.M.Croils Chief of the Air Staff, and for the last s:i_x years head of an organiz.ation whose phenomenal progress and development he has directed, assurfled. command of the Royal Canadian Air Force on January 1st, 1931.{-, nearly ten years after its creation as such on April lst 1 19241 when offices were occupied in the Canadian Building. For sixteen years headquarters of the R.C.A.F. remained tmder the same roof , and the transfer may therefore be con­sidered symbolical of its future expansion" It should be recalled, however, that the Canadian Air Force (CoAoFo) was actually created on February 18th, 1920, Whereas the authorized peace est ablishment of the c. A.F. in 1921 provided for 1,340 officers and 3,905 airmen, there were only 54 officers and 239 airmen in the Service. Fifteen years later, in 1936, the strength vvas still small, nunibering on'ly 190 officers and 1,115 airmen, while there were no more than 172 aircraft available for a wide range of duties, No indication of the present strength of the RoC.A.F. can be pro­vided for publication, but some concention of the progress achieved in little more than three years may be obtained from figures representing the present war establishment, consisting of 1,500 officers and 15,000 airmen and the knowledge that material advances have been r11ade even since the actual D:::ic1aration of 'ar by Canada on the 10th of September. The R.C.A.F. is now making a material contribution to the defence of Canada's vu1nerable harbour areas, to the protection from enemy molestation of her trade routes by patrolling the ocean /steamship --·. -2­ steamship lanes, and to the prevention of any raid upon isolated sections of her coast line. Bomber reconnaissance, coast artillery co-operation and f ighter squadrons are located on the Atlantic and Pacific seaboards. Provision has been made for the training of army co-operation squadrons at Ottav-va. An Air Training Cowrnand, with headquarters in Toronto, is responsible for the intensive training of flying personnel in Trenton and Camp Borden s and for the administration of a manning poola \ Finally, twenty-two flying clubs throughout the Dominion are at present co-operating with the R.C. A.F. in providing elementary training for Pilot Officers (Provisional) as they are calledo The following paragraphs , which are contained in the 1921 annual report of the Air Board, responsible for establishment of the Canadian Air Force, are of special interest at this time in the light of subse­quent developments: 11 It is (as it should be) a separate service -separate that is to say, from the naval and military services -and it is autonomous," reads the report, in reference to the Canadian Air Force. 11 rt is capable of expansion in case of emergency, but at other times its functions are almost exclusively instructional. It consists of Headquarters, at Ottawa, and of what is, in effect, a School of Aviation, at Borden Camp. There is no permanent establishment; there are no embodied units; and service formations (thirteen s quadrons) exist only ·upon paper. "All of the off icer.s in the Canadian Air Force, and a proportion of the airmen, served during the war in the Royal Air Force. Therefore the standard of efficiency is high, and esprit de corps is very strong; but the time is approaching when fresh blood should be infused." Many of the i mplied suggestions have been implemented. The efficiency of the Royal Canadian Air Force remains high, and the esprit de corps i n the Service was never stronger. Fresh blood has been infused, and the foundation has been laid for further expansion. ++++++++++ 29.12.39 -No.16. FIELD FORCE BRIGADE IN SOUTH AFRICA. It was officially announced in Pretoria yesterday that a Field Force Brigade is being formed. This Brigade is to be the kePnel of the Union's Field Force 9 and is being trained to take the field at a moment's notice. All men who are keen to be cal1ed on to undertake active service as soon as any emergency arises are advised to join the Brigade. EMPIRE AFFAIRS. 29/12/39:1•.... No.17. Royal Air Force Awards, Note to Editors~ The Awards and Decorations announced in Air Ministry Bulletin 276 will not be gazetted until Jan. 2nd 1940, and must therefore on no account be published bef'ore the morning newspapers of Wednesday, Jan. 3rd 1940 or broadcast before 8 a.ma Jan. 3rd 1940. Re Squadron Leader Broadhurst: in the statement on page 5 "he has been ground instructor at a flying training school in England"; for England read Egypt. AIR MINISTRY, WHITEHALL, s.w.1. 29/1 2/39 No -18 PRESS NOTICE NOT TO BE QUOTED AS OFFICIAL It has been ascertained from enquiry at the Admiralty that the battleship reported in to-day's Admi~alty announcement (No.13) is the same ship as that referred to in the communique issued by the German High Command, and that she is saf'-e. and _pl'o-ceeding_ on her co\Ulee. ++++++++++++ 29.12.39 No.19. RRTIRT~MENT Oli' SIR WILT... IAM CL_1\RK. Sir William Clark, who has been High Commissioner in the Union of South Africa for Hi s Ma jesty's Government in the United Kingdom and His Majesty's High Commissioner for Basutoland, Bechuanaland Protectorate and Swaziland since 1934, took his final departure from Pretoria yesterday. A large gathering bade him and Lady Clark f arewell. The Rand Daily Mail i n a leader this morning says: "The retirement of S.ir William Cl Rrk is a loss not onl y to the Diplomatic Service which he long adorned but also to the country in which he laboured earnestly during the last years of his official career. Sir William belongs to that ol d school of cul tured diplomacy which stands out in such striking contrast to the smash and grab methods adopted by many countries to-day. He has handled problems with wisdom and discretion, with a scrupulous r egard for the rights of the subject peoples entrusted t o his care, but with profound understanding of the hopes and feelings of the y oung South Afri can nation~ He has been t he true friend of this country" . EMPIRE AFF/1 IRS . -----oOo----­ FROM FOREIGN OFFICE . NEWS DEPARTMENT 29/12f39 -NO. 20. FOR PUBLICATION IN THE MORNING NEWSPAPERS OF SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30TH. NOT TO BE BROADCAST BEFORE 2 a ..m. The following messages from H.M. the King and from the Prime Minister have been sent to Ankara:­ To· the President of the Turkish Republic,ANKARA. I am deeply shocked, M. le President, by the news of the calamitous earthquake which has inflicted so much sorrow and suffering upon the Turkish people, and would ask you to accept my assurance of the profound sympathy that is felt by my people at the wid.espread distress which this disaster has caused through so great a loss of life and property. (signed) GEORGE R.I. To Kis Excellency Refik Saydam,Turkish Prime Minister~ The report of the d.isastrou~ earthquake in Anatolia has filled me with horror, and I have been much distressed to hear of the large death-roll. I hasten to assure Your Excellency of my sympathy with the Turkish people, and especially with those who are suffering personally as a result of this tragedy. (signed) NEVILLE CHAMBERLAIN. MINISTRY OF FOOD ANNCUNCEIVIENT ~9/12/39 -No.21 HONE-GROWN OATS. Notic6 to Traders and Millers. An Order will be made by the Minister of Food at an early date for the purpose of bringing under control the sale and dis­tribution of home-grown oats. The Order will prescribe maximum prices for oats for feeding, for milling and for seed. Merchants selling oats for use as seed will also be required to obtain from the buyer a declaration certifying that the oats will be used for seed, and stating the acreage to be sown. Growers will be prohibited from selling home-grown oats except to approved buyers, that is to say, to merchants authorised under the Wheat Acts, to oatmeal millers and to such other merchants dealing 1.n oats as may be licensed for this purpose. Authorised merchants and oatmeal millers will automatically be licensed as approved buyers. Oatmeal millers are accordingly requested to send their names, , together with the addresses of all their branches, to the Joint Secretary, Cereals Control Board, Brooklands House, Weybridge,Surrey, without delay. Merchants who are not authorised merchants or oatmeal millers and who wish to become approved buyers of home-grown oats should make application forthwith for a licence on a form which can be obtained from the following addresses, to which the forms must be returned after completion: ­England. The J oint Secretary, Cereals Control Board, Brooklands House, Weybridge, Surrey. Scotland. Mr. J. MacLean, Chairman, Glasgow Port Area, Feeding Stuffs Committee, 60 , Wellington Street, Glasgow. Northern Mr. W.R ., Mullen, Chairman, Northern Ireland Port Ireland: Area Grain Committee, 93, Ann Street, Belfast. Firms or individuals having mor·e than one branch need complete only one form of application, but the addresses of all branches must be furnished. c9.12.39 No.22. MINISTRY OF FOOD ANNOUNC~MENT._ Collection of Fat Stock. On and after 15th January farmers must send their fat stock for slaughter to the Collecting Centre to which they are attached. They should send in to the District Chairman of Auctioneers at that centre by 3rd Ji:muary pa:>'.'ticulars of stock which they y.iropose to enter during the week commencing 15th January. This is necessary to allow plans to be made for the equitable distribution of the resulting meat . The same twelve days' nrior notice of marketings should be given each week thereafter. Cottagers and others who keep a pig for their own use will be given a permit to slaughter that pig for use in the owner's household only. They will be asked to observe the rationed quantities and to detach and cancel the appropriate cou~ons in their ration books . The privilege will be extended to Pig Clues which provide for more than one household and also to farmers. In the case of farmers, the arrangements will p or mit of the use of meat from other classes of controlled livestock in their own households and in thoc;e of employees for whom they normally provide food. Particulars wtll be published later as to the nrocedure for obtaining these per rnitso ------000 ------­ 29/12/39 No. 23• .MINISTRY OF FOOD ANNOUNCEMENT REGISTR.ilTION FOR MEAT It is of the utmost importance that the registrci.tion of consumers for meat should be com}.)leted not later than Monday, January 8th, in order that eq_uitable distribution may be made to the shops throughout the country9 and tho.t you rnay be assured of your fair share when rationing begins. If you registered for meat before Christmas, the registration although unauthorised will be accepted, or if you wish you may register now with another butcher by recove::cing the counterfoil from the lrutcher who holds it, and t ;:;.king it to the butcher you now choose. ------000-------­ MINISTRY OF FOOD .AJ>TNOUNCEMENT. 29/12/39 -N0_!_~4. RATIONING -THE LESSONS OF THE LAST WAR. Two lessons in management from 1917 -1918: ­ There were food queues in J917, first for bacon, later for butter and meat and other foods. When rationing was introduced they disappeared. This time we shall have no queues; their cause is uncertainty. With a ration book every housewife knows what she can get for her family, and that she can get it from her shop whenever she likes. Rationing prevents food queues; with its simple rules there need be no waiting and anxiety. We must not buy more food abroad than we need. We require as much of our money and shipping space as possible for bringing us other things, to help to win the war. These lessons teach us to plan our food supplies nationally, to make rules for orderly distribution, and to give everyone the assurance of a fair share. 29/12/39 -No. 25. MINISTRY OF SHIPPING PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT. The Minister of Shipping has appointed Sir Thomas Gordon to be his representative in the Commonwealth of Australia. --------000--------­ .29.12. 39 No.26• FRENCH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE (EVENING) Paris, Friday 29th December, 1939. The following official con¥nunique was issued this evening from French G.H.Q. :­ Renewal of aerial activity. Some action on the part of our advanced units. In the Vosges a reconnoitring detachment surprised an enemy patrol and made some prisoners. ------oOo-----­ PRESS NOTICE Special Entry and ppymastcr Cac1etships R .No -Vacancies The following a~9yointments in the Royal Navy will be offered for corn:;_)etition at the Navy Entrance Examination to be held in March,19400 For Naval Cadetships (For Executive duties) -16 11 11 11 " (For Engineering ) -1 2 11 Paymaster Cadetships 7 Candidates for Special Entry Naval Cadetships (Executive and Engineering) and for Paymaster Cadetshi:ps will be eligible to compete if they have, attained the age of 17 but ore under the age of 18 years 8 months on 1st May 1940. Candidates accepted for the RoNo from this examination will be entered with seniority of 1st May, 1940. Forms of application must be obtained from the Secretary, Civil Service Commission, Burlington Gardens, London, Wo1o These forms must be completed and returned to the Civil Service Commissioners not later than the 5th January,1940. Subject to the payment of a special additional fee of £4 the forms will be accepted up t::i but in no case after 10th January, 19400 Copies of the Entry Regulations concerning the above appointments can be obtained from the Secretary of the Admiralty, and are a lso shown in the A1:ipendix to the Navy List. ADMIRALTY,SeW.1o #++++++ AIR LlINISTRY BULLETIN. 2~12. 39. -No. 28•. SUCCESSFUL ATTACK ON DORNIER BOMBER. The Air Ministry announces :­ It is now confirmed that one of the Dornier flying boats attacked in the North Sea by aircraft of the Coastal Command last Wednesday (issue No.15) was shot down. The three members of the crew of four who survived the attaclc have been rescued by a Swedish steamer and taken to Kopervik in Norway. ---------000~-------­