AIR MINISTRY 1465. 23/8/40 - No.l. WAR OFFICE, AIR MINISTRY AND MINISTRY OF HOME SECURITY COMMUNIQUE. Yesterday evening enemy artillery on the French coast opened fire on the Dover area. Enemy shells caused some damage to buildings. There were a number of casualties. 23/8/40 - No. 2. AIR MINISTRY 1466 AIR MINISTRY AND MINISTRY OF HOME SECURITY COMMUNIQUE During last night there was some activity over this country by enemy aircraft operating singly or in small numbers. Bombs were dropped in a number of areas in England, in South Wales and on a town in North-East Scotland. Some bombs were dropped in districts on ths outskirts of London. Damage was done to houses and a cinema and there was a small number of casualties. In two towns in North-East England there was damage to property and in two towns in South-East England slight damage was caused. Some damage and casualties were caused in other areas. Number of fatal injuries has been reported. 23/8/40 - No. 4. GERMAN MISSIONARIES Revealing admissions are made by the official Journal of the German Black Guards commenting on the exemption of German missionaries in South Africa which allows them to continue their missionary work provided that they abstain from propaganda. One passage in particular is worthy of note: ”We are well aware of what the British soldier considers under the term ’enemy propaganda’® To us this means simply ’German attitude’® The primary duty of the missionaries is to injure the enemies of the Reich wherever possible. The missionaries’ well-being is of no consequence 9 their mission work is even more immaterial and their religious faith is quite beside the point* In time of war, even a Christian’s first and foremost duty is to overthrow the enemy rather than help him to keep peace and order by means of mission work among the natives. As if the work of our bombs would not be so very much more important just now!" MILITARY AFFAIRS A.M. BULLETIN 1463. NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN ANY COUNTRY BEFORETHE MORNING NEWSPAPERS OF OR BROADCAST BEFORE 7 A.M. ON THAT DATE. ROYAL AIR FORCE. AIR MINISTRY CASUALTY COMMUNIQUE NO. 43* The Air Ministry regrets to announce the following casualties on various dates# The next-of-kin have Been informed. KILLED IN ACTION. (While flying in operations against the Enemy)# ANDREWS 1+16U8 Pilot Officer J.F.E. BAKER 518293 Sergeant R.D. BEALES 7U2726 Sergeant R. BODY 73028 Pilot Officer J. CALE 1+2101+ Pilot Officer, F.W. CARDNELL 80807 Pilot Officer, C.F. CLARKE 62U9UU Sergeant E.J. COCKS 61+2593 Sergeant R.J. FARMER 565737 Sergeant E.D. FISHER 72382 Flying Officer B.M. GREGORY 8101+U Pilot Officer F.S. HOUSEMAN 77936 Pilot Officer R.E. JOLLY 523203 Sergeant R., D.F.M. PHILLIPS 365321+ Flight Sergeant, N,T» RITCHIE 7U5702 Sergeant, R.D. SCOTT 75525U Acting Sergeant, J.J. SEWELL 530961 Sergeant, G e A« SWIFT 61+1+387 Sergeant, J.H. WATTS 32152 Acting Wing Commander J.J. WINSTANDEY 617595 Sergeant A# Previously reported "MISSING BELIEVED KILLED IN ACTION" now presumed ”KILLED IN ACTION”. PETERSON 520852 Leading Aircraftman G. TRUMAY 531-133 Aircraftman 2nd Class L.H. WEBBER 569704 Aircraftman 1st Class R.J, W U n Previously reported .MISSING now presumed KILLED IN ACTION"• KIDD 800235 Corporal B*A. LONG 755181 Sergeant A.L. WELLS 90081 Acting Squadron Leader J»M. Previously reported "MISSING BELIEVED KILLED IN ACTION" now reported ’’KILLED IN ACTION”. JUBY 511+901+ Sergeant G.W.J, PEARCE 58O8O5 Sergeant A.S. TWANLEY 580573 Sergeant A.E,D. WESTCOTT 5U5537 Leading Aircraftman L.A. Previously reported "MISSING” now reported "KILLED INACTION”. ANDERSON 53201+7 Sergeant W.Fo BARRETT 580566 Sergeant W.J,, D.F f M» BUIST Pilot Officer C.N. BURNETT 6197U1+ Sergeant R» CRONAN U2109 Pilot Officer J.R, 2 Previously reported n MISSING” now reported "KILLED IN ACTION” (Contd.) DAVIES 523102 Sergeant H.C. DENISON 552584 Sergeant H.T. DUTTON 547594 Sergeant R.L.J. GANDER 552107 Sergeant O.S. GIBLIN 523945 Sergeant H.A.F. GILL 621946 Aircraftman 1st Glass B* GREENWOOD 566263 Sergeant G. GUTHRIE 33314 Flying Officer J.R. 628296 ' HANLON Sergeant C. HARDING 580426 Sergeant W.C. HARDING 627362 Aircraftman 1st Class W.E. HARRIS 530943 Sergeant K.H. HOUGHTON-BROW 581100 Sergeant R* JONES 70805 Pilot Officer C 0 J.T. LEISHMAN 751309 Sergeant, D. LITTLE 547515 Sergeant G.E. LLOYD 551596 Leading Aircraftman P.L. LUXMOORE UO628 Pilot Officer A.S. McFarlane 39545 Flying Officer L.H. MACKENZIE 580459 Sergeant R.I.L. MARTIN 748313 Sergeant W. MATHIAS 41603 Pilot Officer A.R. MITCHELL U18&2 Pilot Officer J.G. NEWTON 551758 Leading Aircraftman W.G. NICHOLS 624403 Sergeant G* PAUL 565282 Sergeant E.H. PILLING 29178 Squadron Loader H» PRESCOTT 740264 Sergeant T.C. READ 580828 Sergeant C.E, REDMAYNE m 206 Pilot Officer D. RYAN 42154 Pilot Officer M.E. SMITH 550986 Sergeant A.H. SMYTH 565748 Sergeant J.A, SPICKETT 516666 Sergeant W.A» STRIDE 546871 Sergeant L.H. SWALLOW 540806 Sergeant V.J. WEBSTER 631U6U Sergeant C.N. WHITEHEAD 70731 Flying Officer A.W.A. WYATT 40563 Pilot Officer G.M. "WOUNDED OR INJURED IN ACTION". ALLFREE 519908 Corporal D.N. CLEAVER 90135 Flying Officer G.N.S. DISS 542479 Leading Aircraftman R.S. DONAHUE 81624 Pilot Officer A»G. HARPER 40110 Flight Lieutenant W.J, HAYWOOD 580296 Sergeant D* PAGE 74709 Pilot Officer A.G, SCHADTLER-LAW 42267 Pilot Officer K. SMITH 90340 Acting Flight Lieutenant E«B.B TUCKER 70683 Flying Officer A.B. TURLEY-GEORGE 41336 Pilot Officer D.R t Previously reported "MISSING" now reported "WOUNDED OR INJURED IN ACTION”. JUDD 514945 Corporal J. DIED OF WOUNDS OR INJURIES RECEIVED IN ACTIQN. KENNARD-DAVIS 42348 Pilot Officer P.F. POPE 746774 Sergeant G.R. ACTION '. I "MISSING BELIEVED KILLED IN BISSON 41774 Pilot Officer A.J,G. FELSTEAD 41786 Pilot Officer R.K, "MISSING BELIEVED KILLED IN ACTION" (Contd.) GRICE 70266 Flying Officer D.N. KEAST 80-1399 Sergeant F»J. WARREN 628801+ Aircraftman 1st Class J.B.W. WILSON 527234 Leading Aircraftman D.J.R. WILSON 747962 Sergeant N.F. WRIGHT 747992 Sergeant A.D. "MISSING 11 • ABEL 549202 Sergeant R. ANDREAE 70018 Pilot Officer C.J.D. ASHTON 76574 Pilot Officer D.G. BAKER 740057 Sergeant E.D. BARDOLPH 78695 Pilot Officer G.M. BATHO 580629 Sergeant R.F. BAUM 581137 Sergeant A.J* BEATTIE 619827 Sergeant J.M. BEAUMONT 744953 Sergeant B.W. BLAZIER 7U6887 Sergeant J.K. BOWES 521960 Sergeant A.E, BRANCH 90137 Flying Officer G.R., E.G.M. BROWN 755817 Sergeant F.J.C, BROWNE 41 234 Pilot Officer D.O.M. BUTTERFIELD 563441 Sergeant S.L., D.F.M. CAWSE 80543 Pilot Officer F.N. CHAPMAN 614035 Aircraftman 1st Class J. COBDEN 41552 Pilot Officer D.G. COLESON 42695 Pilot Officer P.J. COLLARD 90U02 Flying Officer P., D.F.C. COMELY 41831 Pilot Officer P.W. COOKE 523013 Sergeant L.C. COPEMAN 41257 Pilot Officer J.H.H. COULMAN 41557 Pilot Officer R.M. COULTON 619184 Sergeant G.H. CRANE 526095 Sergeant K.W. CRUTTENDEN 40895 Pilot Officer J» D'ARCY-IRVINE 72500 Flying Officer B.W.J. DAVIES' 742518 Sergeant J.H. DAVIS 72988 Pilot Officer H.L.N. DEMETRIADI 90145 Flying Officer R.S. DENCH 42487 Pilot Officer F.G.H. DICKIE 80541 Pilot Officer W.G. DIXON 42111 Pilot Officer L.T. FORBES 41391 Pilot Officer R.B. FYFE 2U208 Squadron Leader J.B. S D.F.C. GILLAN 37675 Flying Officer J> GIRVAN 552188 Sergeant T.E. GLEDHILL 742857 Sergeant G« GLYDE 39983 Flying Officer R.L., D.F.C. GORDON-PEINIGER 40904 Pilot Officer A. GOWER 40693 Pilot Officer R.F. GRANT 539039 Sergeant S. HALL 33166 Flight Lieutenant N.M., A.F.C. HAMILTON 581214 Sergeant 0. HARRIS 77934 Pilot Officer E.A. HARRISON 76577 Pilot Officer J.H. HILL 741410 Sergeant S.D. HOPPERTON 625352 Sergeant E® ISAAC 749158 Sergeant L.R. JEFF 39285 Flight Lieutenant R.V.-, D.F.C® JELLEY 751725 Sergeant P.W.N. JENNINGS 565910 Sergeant R.J. JONES 638740 Sergeant T • . JONES 33467 Pilot Officer J.S.B. KEAREY 517684 Sergeant J*A# LAND 905836 Sergeant V.R.T. MACCAW 36139 Flying Officer D.C. 4 "MISSING" (Conta.) MORGAN—WELD-SMITH 05224 Squadron Leader R.G»S» NOLAN 41727 Pilot Officer G.G*K. OELOFSE 42519 Pilot Officer J.R.S. OLIVER 700059 Sergeant J»M. PARVIN 58111-18 Sergeant F.F. PEACH 581241 Sergeant T.A< PIRIE 42077 Pilot Officer H.G.R. PLATTS 633813 Sergeant E.H. PRENTICE 812244 Sergeant M.A. PRICE 638145 Sergeant T»0. PRYDE 551852 Sergeant P. QUINN 611465 Sergeant E.S. REW 526687 Sergeant K.G.R. ROBERTS 90897 Pilot Officer R« SAVILLE 745096 Sergeant J.H. SEARS 42895 Pilot Officer L.A. SHELDON 42155 Pilot Officer H.C. SHFPT fy 33U6U Pilot Officer D*C» SHOOK 581534 Sergeant P.O. SIM 742609 Sergeant R»B* SMITH 79524 Pilot Officer D*N.E, SMITH 754895 Sergeant K.B» SMITH 42470 Pilot Officer N»H.H. SMITHERS 90440 Pilot Officer J.L. STORROW 565309 Flight Sergeant A*R, STUCKEY 516338 Sergeant S.G. TANNER 565125 Flight Sergeant J.H. TENNANT 550847 Sergeant G.D. TOWNSLEY 552526 Aircraftman 1st Class J. TURNER 32254 Flight Lieutenant D.E. UNDERWOOD 626850 Sergeant A.J. VAUGHAN 590381 Flight Sergeant T.M. WAKEHAM 41883 Pilot Officer E.C.J., D.F.C. WALCH 40063 Acting Flight Lieutenant S.C. WARDELL 37140 Squadron Leader R.N. WIGHT 34187 Flight Lieutenant R.D.G., D.F.C# WILKES 741315 Sergeant G.N. WILSON 41513 Pilot Officer R.R. WITHALL 39361 Acting Flight lieutenant L.C. YOUNGER 567876 Sergeant W.G.W. "MISSING BELIEVED KILLED ON ACTIVE SERVICE". (While engaged on non-operational flying duties or. on the ground through enemy action*) BARRATT 5OU9O3 Acting Sergeant E.D. McCRORY 580666 Sergeant G.H* TOY 572787 Aircraftman 2nd Class E.J. TULLY 5OU9OU Acting Sergeant M.L. "KILLED ON ACTIVE SERVICE". ADAMS 745769 Sergeant E.C, ALLEN 648865 Sergeant A,G. ALVES 550539 Sergeant D.F* BEALES 905638 Aircraftman 2nd Class H*G*A. BELL 342519 Leading Aircraftman S«H» GOLLS 758029 Sergeant W*L. CRAWFORD 41673 Pilot Officer G*G. DALGRESS 742697 Sergeant A.S. 5 "KIiXED ON ACTIVE SERVICE". (Contd.) IE RS i ■.. I 748733 Sergeant, A.J. . .. GIBBS 755158 D.A. Sergeant, GOLDSMITH 648512 Sergeant, W.C. HARPER 77886 Flying Officer, J.F. HILL 956258 L.C.R. Sergeant, HULL 755799 Sergeant, F.H. KEAN 41295 Pilot Officer, R.T», D.E’.C* McKENZIE 516750 Sergeant, C.W. MANNION 627225 Sergeant, D. MORTIMER 37521 Flight Lieutenant, E.P. NELSON 808425 Sergeant, W. OX TOBY 754620 Sergeant, J.M. RUSTOM 42079 Pilot Officer, R. SANDERS 01 746826 Sergeant, S. SMITH 903160 Sergeant, C. WALKER 33073 Squadron Leader, I.H.D. WHEELER 533650 Aircraftman 1st Class, R.C. WILLI AldS 40451 Pilot Officer, L. WILSON 755653 Sergeant, R.F. Previous. .(..r .qa -'MiSSING BEiIE/ED KILLED ON ACTIVE SERVICE" now presumed" "KILLW ON'ACTIVE SERVICE"'. FOLKES 39076 Flying Officer, P. WOUNDED OR INJURED ON ACTIVE SERVICE. ANDREWS 965408 Sergeant, F,A. AS TIN. 41650 Pilot Officer, J,K. ATKINSON 44216 Acting Flight Lieutenant, T.D. CARTER 515475 Flight Sergeant, C* DARK 26051 Squadron Leader, A*E. DE BURLE1 42811 Pilot Officer R.F.A.J. GARNER 742720 Sergeant, T,P< MACLEAN 745032 Sergeant, A,C. REYNOLDS 740873 Sergeant, T, SIMS 42364 Pilot Officer, M,A< VOSPER 514865 Sergeant, W.G. DIED Jr WuUNDS OR INJURIES . JIVED ON ACTIVE SERVICE. BAILEY 746776 Sergeant, R.D* BECHER 36008 Squadron Leader, J, GRANT 651489 Sergeant, J. MALLARD 564260 Sergeant, J,W, WILSON 745647 Sergeant, E 24th August, 1940# AIR MINISTRY NO, 1467 23/8/40 - No. 6. Air Ministry News Service EXPLOITS OF NIZAM OF HYDERABAD'S SQUADRON Within the last ten days the Nizam of Hyderabad’s Squadron has sent more than twenty-four Junkers and Messerschmitts to their end. Their best day was 18th Augusto 11 of the Squadron’s Spitfires caught 30 Junkers. 87 dive bombers and ten escorting fighters off the Isle of Wight, the Junkers were flying almost at sea level, in broken formation. The squadron at once dived to attack circling down at more than four hundred miles an hour. One pilot brought down three - the first two single-handed, the third shared with a fellow pilot. The first Junkers which he attacked skimmed so low that he could see its wheel ruffling. Then it plunged into the sea* His second Junkers, as he said, ’’just dived straight in”. The enemy aircraft which he shared was a Messerschmitt 109 fighter. Another of the squadron*s pilots told how he saw four of the enemy burning on the water. This was the day when over 150 Of the enemy were destroyed. Twice before in these ten days, the Nizam’s Squadron accounted for five of the enemy on a single patrol* The first time they got three Junkers 88’s and MesserSe-imitt a Jaguar - a Messerschmitt 110, that is fitted for bombing. Three days later they repeated the same performance with variations. It was the afternoon, instead of the morning. It was a different part of the coast. Junkers 88 were replaced by the older Junkers 87’s. A single seat fighter was included in their bag; but the day’s total of five remains the same. In a 'whole week there were only two days in which they did not go up and come back with one or more of the enemy to their credit. Yesterday, when the Nazis went back to their old tip-and-run tactics of the pre-Blitzkreig period, the Nizam’s Squadron were again successful Three of the Spitfires on patrol off the South Coast sighted a solitary Junkers 88 and attacked in turn. The enemy dived almost to sea level. 30 seconds later it had disappeared beneath the waves* Much has happened since February of this year when the squadron destroyed their first Heinkel - one which was taking part in the then common raids on.shipping off the North East Coast. The squadron’s contribution has boon to destroy 34 more of the enemy. The bulk of these have been brought down in the past ten days, and the Squadron is still hoping for more. 23.8.40 - No. 7. NOT FOR PUBLICATION OR BROADCAST BEFORE 11 O'CLOCK ON SATURDAY MORNING AUGUST 24TH l940. BRITISH TROOPS IN THE FAROES. A Peaceful Occupation. By A Special Correspondent THORSHAVN. The life of the British of occupation in the Faroe Islands is troops a happy one. The islands belong to the Danes and. were occupied by British troops in April Mien the Nazis overran Denmark. They lie midway between Scotland and Iceland and would have with provided Germany a strategic base of the highest importance. Now, strong British forces hold them and the seas around are in the care of the Royal Navy. • The islanders welcomed the troops friends and as protectors who share their simple life. The occupation began when the officer commanding the Marines landed unarmed in a small motorboat from a warship with two other officers and six men to a pay call on the Governor, FRIENDS AT ONCE. From the first day, when comfortable temporary billets were placed at the disposal of the troops, friendly co-operation has been experienced from the local officials, police and population. All available larger buildings were offered and standard rents and leases arranged, except for one historic fort and official house- boat which were lent gratis by the Governor. The establishment of defences was facilitated by the same willing co-operation. Faroese and Danes acted as interpreters and supplied valuable local information, negotiated and acted as coastal watchers, placed public and private utilities, boats and at the of the naval authorities and troops, and showed hospitals disposal effort for the work necessary for. willingness to devote any time and strengthening the defences. All material services, unless volunteered, are remunerated and. fair compensation is paid. Throughout the principle maintained is respect for the sovereignty of the islands so as to cause the minimum disturbance to internal administration and life. The necessary establishment of censorship and severance of communications.with Denmark inevitable. are accepted as FOOD FROM ENGLAND. All food supplies for the troops, except fish, come from England, market prices being paid for the fish, Local food supplies therefore unaffected; in fact, are according to a monthly return of stocks made by the Governor, these actually have in- creased since troops arrived as no disturbance has been caused to normal sea traffic. The and has been efficient. army supply organisation exceptionally Highlanders have a certain kinship with the Faroese and are perfectly at home in this wild country 3 Officers have experienced the greatest hospitality from the /local 2 local residents and have been received regularly in their homes and farms. Thorshavn is the largest town, with 3,000 inhabitants. There are four other less important townships. The rest of the country is wild moorland, peatbog, rocks and hills, with farms and small fishing villages here and there. Bodies of troops visit everywhere and reconnaissance in these conditions might have been unpleasant but is rendered agreeable by the extraordinary hospitality of the inhabitants. Officers and men are welcomed into homes and farms, offered excellent coffee, schnapps (of which some still remains), native and Danish cakes, or perhaps regaled with the famous Faroese dried sheep, whalemcat seabirds or good veal or beef. The lack of meat has , always been disadvantage of the islands, but received from a regular supplies are now England. THE POPULAR SCOTTIE. The most striking feature of the occupation is the popularity of the ordinary soldiers. These dour Scotties resemble Faroese in many ways; some can understand the Faroese language, all understand the Faroese mode of life and like the islands which resemble the Shetlands and Hebrides. On arrival -asif by instinct - all the children flocked around them, climbed over them, followed them everywhere, listened in awe to the bagpipes, a taste for which is gradually being acquired by the popula- tion after initial and understandable hesitation. Children have Climbed onto army trucks and been carried shrieking with joy through the streets of Thorshavn. A common sight outside the barracks is a sentry on duty, flanked by a small child with a wooden rifle; and everywhere children salute, drill and wait outside canteens for chocolate. In the evenings after-duty group's of soldiers chat and smoke with the Faroese - who display a remarkable knowledge of English and which is improving every day. HOSPITALITY. A Red Cross dance organised a few days ago for soldiers, with 200 couples was massed in a small hall dancing eightsome reels and Faroese traditional dances. A local Red Cross fund has raised nearly ,£3OO already among the islanders (20,000 of a population of 27,000 are poor). A comfortable hall, rent free, has been offered to the soldiers by members of * the Lutheran church for use as a soldiers home.. Wireless sets and other comforts have been presented to soldiers by local residents. Relations with the residents have been further improved by periodical football matches between soldiers and local teams, in which the locals usually van. SAFETY OF THE ISLANDS. The security system throughout the islands, was effected through the assistance of the six "Sysselmands" or district sheriffs who have been invaluable, also the chief of police of Thorshavn and, of course, the Governor* whose immediate under- standing and acceptance of the occupation as being necessary in the interests of the islands has contributed to smooth working and added still more to the general desire to assist British The islanders grateful to the British troops. are very Government for efforts made in ensuring the maintenance of this supply and for assisting them out of financial difficulties arising from the separation of Denmark. The German successes in the Spring failed to shake their loyalty for the British and news of vast preparations for defence and attack, together with air force cause, and naval successes and Winston Churchill’s speeches representing an unshakeable will for victory gives them confidence for the future. IN TRUST TO BRITAIN. One official said: "We feel we have handed ourselves over in trust‘for the duration’ and are part of you," /British 3 troops have acted in all this as the best possible ambassadors, and British are building up a reputation and tradition among the islanders which will certainly have repercussions in Denmark afterwards when the islands are handed back. Today the Faroese are free to dance in ancient national costume through the streets - they did so on Saint Olaf’s day recently - and carry on their traditions conscious of freedom under British protection. They contrast their happy lot with that of kinsmen in Denmark and Norway, Perhaps it is these thoughts which bring smiles of welcome on their lips as they meet in their streets the British soldiers - their friends. MINISTRY OF INFORMATION. 23/8/40 - No. 8. NOT TO BL PUBLISHED UNTIL AFTER. THE PUBLICATION OF THE 'LONDON GAZETTE ON 23RD AUGUST 1940 TWO MORE V. Cs. His Majesty The King has been pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned:- Second Lieutenant Richard Wallace Annand, The Durham Light Infantry. (Supplementary Reserve). For most conspicuous gallantry on the 15th/l6th May 1940? when the platoon under his command was on the south side of the River Dyle, astride a blown bridge. During the night a strong attack was beaten off, but about 11 a. m. the enemy again launched a violent attack and pushed forward a bridging party into the sunken bottom of the river. Second Lieutenant Annand attacked this party, but when ammunition ran out he went forward himself over open ground, with total disregard for enemy mortar and machine-gun fire. Reaching the top of the bridge, he drove out the party below, inflicting twenty casualties with over hand grenades. Having been wounded he rejoined his platoon, had his wound dressed, and then carried on in command. During the evening another attack was launched and again Second Lieutenant Annand went forward with hand grenades and inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy* When the order to withdraw was received, he withdrew his platoon, hut learning on the way hack that his hatman was wounded and had heen left behind, he returned at once to the former position and brought him hack in a wheelbarrow, before losing consciousness as the result of wounds. N 0.391398 Warrant Officer Class II (Company Sergeant-Major), George Gristock, The Royal Norfolk Regiment. For most conspicuous gallantry on the 21st May, when his company was holding a .position on the line of the River Escaut, south of Tournai. After a prolonged attack, the enemy succeeded in breaking through beyond the company* s right flank which was consequently threatened. Company Sergeant-Major Gristock having organised a party of eight riflemen from company headquarters, went forward to cover the right flank. Realizing that an enemy machine-gun had moved forward to a position from which it was inflicting heavy casualties on his company, Company Sergeant-Major Gristock went on, with one man as connecting file, to try to put it out of adtion. Whilst advancing, he came under heavy machine-gun fire from the opposite bank and was severely wounded in both legs, his right knee being badly smashed. He nevertheless gained his fire-position, some twenty yards from the enemy machine-gun post, undetected, and by well-aimed rapid fire killed the machine-gun crew of four and put their gun out of action. He then dragged himself back to the right flank from which he refused to be evacuated position until contact with the battalion the had been established and on right the line once made more good. By his gallant action, the of the secured, position company was and many casualties prevented. Gristock has Company Sergeant-Major since died of his wounds. WAR OFFICE WHITEHALL. Air Ministry No. 1468 23/8/40 - No. 9 AIR MINISTRY COMMUNIQUE In the course of yesterday’s air activities nine enemy aircraft were destroyed in all, seven being shot down by our fighters and two by anti-aircraft gun-fire. . . Four of our fighter aircraft were lost, but two of the pilots are safe. • An enemy bomber was shot down in the early hours of this morning by lewis-gun fire from the ground. 23/8/40 - No. 10 PRESS NOTICE The Postmaster-General announces with regret that letters, printed papers, etc., and parcels from Canada and Newfoundland and parcels from Japan and the Leeward Islands posted approximately between the dates shown below have been lost or damaged through enemy action: Canada and Newfoundland ••• 20-29 May Japan •,. . 12 April - 19 May Leeward Islands 3-20 May So far as possible the damaged correspondence and parcels have been delivered to the addressees. G. P. O. 23.8.40 - No.ll. THE A.T.S. Major General J.H. Beith, Public Relations Director ofthe War Office broadcasting at 9.15 tonight said:- I want to talk to for five minutes about the Auxiliary Territorial Service. you What do those words to you when you hear them right off like that? mean Very little, I fancy. You would probably reply off-hand that they had something to do with the Reserve Forces of the Territorial Army. ’ But if I ‘A.T.S. instead, that strikes a much more familiar note. It creates say a picture, so to speak, and you realise that we are discussing the Women’s Services of His Majesty’s Army. We see the A.T.S. girls everywhere nowadays, in their neat khaki uniforms, all over the country, and I dare we sometimes wonder just exactly what each of them say does. We know that some of them drive motor-lorries and cars, because we have seen them do it. But what else do they do? The simplest answer to ihat is that every one of them is doing something which will release a man for the Fighting Forces. That seems to be a pretty fine thing to be able do in most of the do to these days, especially since work that these girls is really hard work. But the A.T.S. take all that in their stride. They are prepared to go anywhere and do anything, however laborious or hazardous. Not long ago some of them went over to France with the B.E.F. Not all of them came back. In other words, the A.T.S. girls are true soldiers. Now let us get back to the question of the things they do* A great many of them, as I say, are transport and motor-drivers. These have to be at least twenty years old; for all others the limit for acceptance is from eighteen to forty-three. What do age these do? Some cook, and cook on a large scale for scores of people* That is no child’s play, especially when you have to lift pots and pans which were designed to be handled by men. Others work at telephone switchboards or at teleprinters, or are typists and do clerk’s work generally. Others act as storekeepers, supervising and checking Army supplies of every kind. Others are required as orderlies, making them- selves generally useful. Some of their duties are highly technical, and call for a certain amount of previous training - telephone switchboard operators, for instance, teleprinters, and qualified clerks. Others are required to have a working knowledge of photography; but most of the duties of the A.T.S. can be performed by any girl with a stout heart and a willing pair of hands. You will notice that I am not suggesting that any of these duties are going to be duties. involve long hours and hard work; but after all, long hours easy They may and hard work are what we are all putting up with today; and we are proud to do it, firstly because most people welcome any opportunity to help at this time, and, secondly because we realise that, until Germany is beaten, life for every one of us has got to be a campaign and not a picnic. But what I really here to say tonight is this am the A.T.S. needs about nine - thousand more recruits, and needs them urgently, especially cooks, clerks and the specialists whom I have just mentioned. The which has recently been increased, now amounts to about 125.0d. a week, pay, clothing and food. That, of with all found -in other words, free accommodation, is the minimum With each step in rank the is increased. lam course, payment. sum not merely referring to promotion to non-commissioned rank: an officer appointment is any member the A.T. S. who has the qualities of character and open to of necessary leadership. And remember, there are no s‘hort cuts to such promotion: every girl starts level, in the ranks, and works her way up. is nine thousand recruits right So here our need and your opportunity away* - If you wish to go further into the matter you can obtain all the information you without at the nearest Army Recruiting Office require, committing yourself in any way, or Labour Exchange* /OVER It may be that in considering whether you ought to join up or not you are saying to yourself:- "Well, lai ready have a job, a job I can do and a job I like, and I am getting more pay for it than I should get as a volunteer in the A.Te-S. Why should I give that up?” That, of course is a question which everyone must answer for herself . Each must consider her own case in the light of her own circumstances 0 Whenever we feel doubtful as to whether we should take a decisive step in life, I think it is always look round and observe what other a good plan to people are doing, and especially what other people giving up, at a moment- like this. are You probably have friends and relatives who have given up a lot a life of ease, - perhaps, or a life of comfortable retirement, or a steady and lucrative job - not for anything they are going to get out of it, but because they feel they must get into the and strike their own blow for freedom. In other words, they game are people who have decided that true contentment of mind can only be achieved today by seeing, not how much they can get out of life, but how much they can pu' into it. You c-rJ tgo far wrong if you take the example of such people as a guide Of course there are many of you who cannot join. I know that. You may no longer possess the requisite youth and strength - the medical standard has to be adhered to most strictly - or you may have ties of duty at home which you cannot ignore 0 But if you feel free to come, and inspired to come, -then you exactly are the kind of recruit that the A.T.S. requires. And I do not thihk, whatever hard- ships and difficulties lie before that you will ever regret your decision to us, answer the call, at this tremendous hour in our history. MINISTRY OF INFORMATION. Air Ministry Bulletin No. 1469 23/8/40 - No. 12 Mr Ministry News Service. SERGEANT’S TWENTY FLIGHTS OVER GERMANY Broadcasting at six thirty tonight was a sergeant wireless operator air gunner in one of our heavy bomber squadrons, who was recently awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal for gallantry in operations against the enemy and who comes from Derby. He was the rear gunner in a bomber which was attacked by three fighters. In the engagement which ensued, the enemy sergeant shot down two of them and the third broke off the fight. In the official announcement of the award, reference was made to the “high degree of skill, combined with clear thinking and quick judgment which he displayed in successfully dealing with this attack." The sergeant said:- It was on the way back from a raid in the Ruhr that these three fighters had a go at us. We had been flying for about a quarter of an hour after bombing our target when we were picked up by searchlights. I called up the pilot on the intercommunication set and told him that the lights were dazzling me. They held us right across the town of kesel, which is to the north of the Ruhr I then, the other side of the the out of them. on town, pilot finally got There was no anti-aircraft fire, so I was keeping a particularly sharp look out for fighters. Suddenly, tracer "bullets started flying past the turret and I saw three fighters coining in at us from the rear. One was coming in from the starboard quarter and "below us. The second was above and practically dead astern, and the third was five or six degrees to port, and he - like the one on the other side - was also attacking from below. To me it seemed that all three were converging on the rear turret. The one on the starboard quarter seemed to be pretty close, so I had first shot at him. The first burst seemed to hit. If you can get your first burst all right, you can usually guarantee to get your following ones in too, unless things are particularly awkward. So I just kept pumping quick bursts into him - six or seven altogether. He was hitting us too. Some of his shots went through the tail plane. The rudder and the wireless and explosive shell from his hit the plating of mast, an cannon armour my turret. I didn’t realise at the time that the shell had actually hit us. I thought it had exploded just outside. Anyway, I know the bang deafened me for thirty six hours afterwards. The fighter got to within about one hundred or a hundred and fifty yards of the rear turret; then he pulled up like an aircraft pulling out of a dive. lie seemed to hang there for a bit and I got in a few more bursts right into the belly of the machine. I saw him turn over and then I swung the turret on to the second fighter which had been closing in all this time, firing his four I could see four streams of tracer coming at us. Out of guns. the comer of my eye I noticed the first fighter go down in flames. He exploded in the air vzhen he hit the deck I couldn’t or say which. This second aircraft - the which flying slightly to I missed him with the first three was one was port. I misjudging his but the fourth burst hit him all right bursts, because was speed, the performance. He too and after that I just kept repeating was pretty deadly and did further damage to our plane. The navigator got hit in the leg - not badly though - but nobody else was hurt. Then the fighter curled away out of my field of fire and that was the last I saw of him, but the second pilot said he saw him of After this the down go down out control. third fighter enemy came on us. closed in to three hundred but wouldn’t He about yards come any closer.- I got a bit fed burst in his direction and he sheered up with this so I fired a good long off. We didn’t see him again. Altogether, I’ve done just over twenty raids over Germany, but that was the most exciting one of the lot. I’ve got my twentieth birthday coming along in a few days’ time and I hope to be over Germany that night. AIR MINISTRY BULLETIN No. 1470. 23/8/40. - No. 13. Air Ministry News Service R.A.F. HIT BACK AT GERMAN LONG-RANGE GUNS The bombardment of Dover last night by German batteries mounted on the French coast was countered almost at once by R. A. F. bombers which flew across the Channel and heavily attacked the gun emplacements. Cap Gris Nez/between Calais and Boulogne, was the objective of one section of bombers, which dropped high explosive bombs of various calibres as well as incendiaries, on the battery positions. As they approached the French coast some of our aircraft were met by intense anti-aircraft fire and one of them was singled out by two German fighters which tried to intercept. The pilot succeeded in shaking them off and flew on to bomb the enemy batteries. Counter-attacking went on for many hours. The first of the bombers was over its objective soon after half past nine last night. Others then took up the attack at intervals until, at 3.35 this morning, further salvoes ofheavy and incendiary bombs were launched at the enemy guns. Battery positions near Awteabert and St. Inglevert, in the same aifea,-. were also bombed., While these operations were in progress other bomber command aircraft were attacking enemy-occupied aerodromes further south. At the Lanveoc aerodrome, which lies near Brest, a hangar was hit and a fire caused. At Vannes, north-west of St. Nazaire, a salvo of bombs set a hangar on fires, Fires were also started at the aerodromes of St. Brieuc and the flames were visible from great distances. Over Caen aerodrome considerable anti-aircraft fire was encountered, but two aircraft dropped their bombs near the hangars and on a flare path near which an enemy machine was just landings A large aerodrome building which was set on fire could be seen burning from 15 miles away. The aerodromes at Lisieux and Deauville were also attacked, bursting Igombs at Deauville being followed by a series of explosions. Over Central Franco hangars and otjier aerodrome buildings were hit at Chateau Roux, Tours and Orleans a Meanwhile, raids were being carried out on objectives in Germany, The Deutsche Metalwerko Company at Frankfurt-on-Main, which makes aircraft parts, was bombed, but very bad weather prevented the results from being observed. Fire was seen to break out at the electric power station at after attack delivered in dense and drifting Knapsack, near Cologne, an clouds. G-risheim Chemical works where explosives are manufactured on a ? large scale, was also attacked. The oil refineries at Bottrop were bombed by other R.A.F. squadrons. The railway junctions at Hamm, Soest, Coblenz, Mannheim and Duisberg- . Ruhrort all attacked and at Mannheim of the many fires were again, some started were giving off such dense volumes of smoke that observers considered that an oil tank at the yard had been hit, One raider, prevented "by bad weather from locating the primary target flew to Lingen aerodrome where he hit the east side of the 9 landing ground and set on fire one of the buildings with a canister of incendiaries 6 A series of heavy explosions resulted from another attack made by a single raider on the Ee Mok seaplane base in Hollande Hot to be published 23/8/40 - No.14 before delivery. "LET'S FACE THE FACTS”- No. 4 by COLONEL HENRY BRECKINRIDG-B Recorded talk from Montreal, broadcast in the B.B.C. Home Service at about 9.20 p.m. on Friday, August 23rd, 1940. NOTE: The holds no general publication rights'in this material which is issued to assist the stress in reporting the talk. Fellow Citizens: lam not a citizen of the British Commonwealth of Nations - but I claim to be a citizen of the Commonwealth of Humanity. I dare all say more than "Fellow Citizens”; I dare say "my brothers and my sisters” - for who love liberty and brothers and sisters. I salute Canada. Every dweller in this Western hemisphere should salute her. For the moment she is our only representative in the most dire battle ever fought for freedom. May it not be said much longer that Canada is the only nation of the West fighting for- the most priceless heritage of the West - Liberty. I could well Imagine myself - a Canadian - irritated at hearing a citizen of the United States speak. I fancy rayself asking: can "Why does he not back his words with action? If he speaks for any considerable number of his fellow countrymen, why does not his country 30 in the fray?” . The first reason I am speaking is because I have been courteously invited. Another is that I shall speak no word on this occasion which I have not uttered publicly in different form many times in the United States. to Suffice it finally say in this connection that it would give me great satisfaction to against serve the Nazi with the Armed Forces of my country. Meanwhile, I honour those who have followed the example of Kermit Roosevelt and have translated into action the sentiment and opinion of millions of Americans. Only a few times in all recorded history has Western civilisation faced a crisis like the present- At and Marathon, Greek valour saved the Thermopylae original fountain-head of our culture. Had. Greece gone down, the Oriental way of life and prevailed. In all probability, premature death though'’ - would have would have struck the grace, beauty and freedom of thought which was Greece. In 453 Rome fell to the barbarians, and for centuries night shut out the light of civilisation. The small flame escaped extinction in the isolated and enduring sanctuaries of the Church. Perhaps the present danger is more like the moment preceding the Fall of Rome and the beginning of the Dark .Ages, than any other day of history. In 732 Charles Martell and European chivalry saved Christian civilisation from the Moor at Poitiers. During the 13th century the golden horde of the Mongols ravaged from the coasts of China to Hungary, Russia and Indie. - conquering most of the known world. In the 15th century the Turk recoiled from his unsuccessful siege of Vienna. On all these occasions, the spirit of the Western man has risen to save by a hair’s breadth his culture and his freedom. Rivers of blood, were shed; but Civilisation did not die. - 2 - The danger today is greater than any that has gone before. The reason is simple, and should be clear to every intelligent mind. In preceding crises, arms were simple; easily hidden; . widely and individually owned, As late as the American Revolution, the American minute-man at Bunker Hill was about as well armed as the British Regular. Today, a people conquered and disarmed is at the mercy of the conqueror - a victim ready for permanent and hopeless slavery. The unarmed man cannot rebel successfully against airplanes and tanks. The radio brings instant new of disaffection and carries the ruler’s orders at a speed of 186,000 miles a second. From the nearest air-field fly the squadrons to rain death and obliteration upon the defenceless population. It is conceivable today that a single conqueror can rule the world! Hitler is the "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" rolled into one insatiable tyrant. The banner over him is blood. He consolidated his domestic power by the synchronised murder on a single day in 1934 of all his German rivals. Treachery is the basis of all his diplomacy. As he destroys one victim, he lulls to sleep with sweet assurances the next on his list. The British Commonwealth of Nations, and the American nations, stand alone between him and the total conquest of all the free peoples of the earth. If America sleeps and Britain fails, America will awake to its doom. The world cannot survive half slave and half free! Hitler knows this, and relentlessly pursues his ravening race to destroy the last citadels of Freedom. He must destroy Liberty, or Liberty will destroy him. He rightly recognises this as a war of annihilation. We, too, should recognise it. And my deepest conviction is that country should furiously organise its vast latent power into unassailable and irresistible military might for the utter defeat of the of Satan that has been loosed upon humanity. scourge The talk of the "invincibility of the Nazi" is a myth. He invents none of the instruments with which he enslaves his own people and attacks all the rest of the world; he uses the inventions of other people to destroy humanity. Take him out of his cross-country armoured engines, and he is no better than any other average man, and decidedly inferior to the average Canadian or American. Match him in the air with equal numbers, and he will succumb. In the last War it was conclusively demonstrated that in the air and on the ground - man for man, the Canadian was his master! If the Canadian airman really gets at him in the present conflict, the minions of Hitler’s Air Force will expiate in bitterness the crime of their slaughter of women and children. The place to destroy Hitler is in Germany - not America. Another "myth" is the isolation of the American Continent. The fool and the knave would have us to believe that we are three thousand miles from the wars of Europe. Every school-child knows the proximity of Europe to America when the stepping stones Iceland and Greenland are used which were so successfully used by Italo Balbo seven years ago, and can be used again. Finally, we are advised by the American friends of Hitler - and I am ashamed to say they exist -to be prepared to negotiate "agreement” with him. I should prefer to make a treaty with a poisonous snake. Hitler’s plighted word, on each occasion that he has pledged to with an innocent and honourable neighbour, has been but a preparation for plunging his serpent fangs into the living body of his deluded victim. What man in his right mind would negotiate with him? The only hope of humanity is the destruction of Hitler not his "appeasement". Better make a - pet of a tiger or set a wolf to guard young children - than trust this fiend in - human form, so long as the breath of life is in him. /Should - 3 " Should stand by until the assassin lias murdered we every other member of our family - and plan to negotiate agreement with him when he has completed his orgy of crime? Hitler prates of "race" in the form of laisown. lineage and childless sterility. Why, we in Canada and the United States know something of race. We have found that men of all races and religions and colours can live in peace and co-operation under Freedom. Canada - I salute you! You have cast out doubt and fear. You have accepted the inescapable challenge and willed that Freedom must live; that the danger of death is preferable to the certainty of defeat and slavery. Each nation of the Western hemisphere should follow your example. Right or wrong, every one of our American nations for century has lived on the basic fact that a the British Fleet controls the Atlantic. Self-interest, intelligence and courage dictate that we give Britain unstinted aid. It doesn’t even matter whether or not we like the English. Embattled Britain is our last outpost against the unleashed forces of destruction, slavery and Hell. Glory to the man and nation that - gives successful resistance to the menace! My prayer for you is that you endure - and win. My hope for my own country is that the United States draw its sword for freedom and humanity. Children of Montcalm heirs of Wolfe God speed you! - - BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION AIR MINISTRY BULLETIN NO U7l 23/8/40 - No 17. Air Ministry News Service. ST. ODER AND PINARD AERODROMES BOMBED. As a German aircraft was landing last night on a flare path of the airfield at St. Omer in Northern France Blenheims of the Coastal Command bombed the aerodrome for the second time this week. The German ground-staff. had just flashed a landing light to the incoming aircraft when the Blenheims came in to attack. The flare-path was extinguished as bombs exploded on the runway. Other Blenheims had the aerodrome buildings and hangars for targets, and started fires among them. As the aircraft flew away, the crews saw the buildings burning fiercely. Dinard aerodrome was raided last night for the first time by Blenheims of the Coastal Command* There also, many fires were started. New hangars on the edge of the aerodrome were attacked and are believed to have been hit, as flames and flashes could be seen. A yellow glow over Dinard aerodrome was still visible when the Blenheims were miles away on their journey home. 23/8/40. - No. 18. CLYDE COMMITTEE OF ENQUIRY FOR THE MORNING PRESS OF SATURDAY 24th AUGUST AND NOT FOR BROADCAST BEFORE 7 a.m. ON THAT DATE O The Minister of Transport, after consultation with the Minister of Labour, has appointed’a Committee of Enquiry, under the Chairmanship of Lord Patrick, one of the Senators of H.M. College of Justice in Scotland, with the following terms of reference; "to consider the position at Glasgow Docks in all its aspects and to make recommendations thereon with a view to the most efficient working of the Port during the war". In addition to Lord Patrick, the Minister has invited the following members to complete the Committee:* Mr. Reginald C o Biddle., M. Inst. To, Docks and Marine Manager of the Southern Railway at Southampton. and Mr. George W Thompson,of the o Association of Engineering and Shipbuilding Draughtsmen, Member of the General Council of the Trades Union Congress and Representative of the General Council of the T.U.C. on the National Joint Advisory Council. The Secretary will be Mr o G- O F. Sayers, of the Ministry of Transport* The object of the inquiry is to ensure that the best possible use is made of the Port of Glasgow in the exceptional circumstances which have been created by the war. Under the war-time organisation of its Port Emergency Committee, the Port played has important part in the national an effort and, as new problems arise from time to time which call for special consideration it is desired to ensure that its efficiency is fully maintained,, The problems are related to all the elements which arise in the operation of a port such as Glasgow, namely, the Authority, the employers and labour. All aspects of the functions of these groups will have to be taken into account by the Committee, There is no suggestion of criticism of any of the sections mentioned; it is desired to retain authoritative opinion as to what is necessary to meet the particular requirements of the wartime situation. In view of the comprehensive nature of the inquiry it is desirable that everyone who can make any contribution towards the further adjustment of the arrangements to meet war conditions should have an opportunity of giving evidence, and it is requested that anyone who desires to give evidence before the Committee should communicate at once with the Secretary, The Central Station Hotel, Glasgow. Theinquiry will begin at the Central Station Hotel, Glasgow, on Tuesday, 27th August. MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT Friday, August 23, 1940. MINISTRY OF INFORMATION NEWS BULLETIN N0.83. RISE IN SUGAR PRICES. Increases in the cost of freight and of raw materials during the past ten months have made an increase in sugar prices unavoidable. The Sugar (Maximum Prices) Order, 1940, made by the Minister of Food advances the maximum retail price of all varieties of sugar by one-halfpenny per lb., from Monday 26th August. The following are the new maximum retail prices:- Granulated Sugar 5d. per lb t« ii Cubes Refiners ’ Caster 5fe. it ii Soft Brown 4i-d. it n ii it Preserving 5“d. ii it Grocery West Indian The order continues, with the necessary modifications, the special new arrangements provided in earlier orders for sugar delivered to the remoter areas of Scotland. Ministry of Food. - M, 0.1. 1. EXPANSION OF ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE. New Training Schools Opened. Two schools for secondary -draining of air crews for the Royal Canadian Air Force under the Commonwealth Air Training Plan were opened on August 5, at Ottawa and Edmonton respectively. At the first, a Service Flying Training School, whose pupils have previously had eight weeks’ flying experience, the course is divided into two sections, the Intermediate Squadron and the Advanced Squadron, in which aircraft equipped with machine guns and bomb-racks will be flown. When the pupils have completed their fourteen weeks' course, they will spend two weeks at a Bombing and Gunnery School, and then will be posted to a Squadron. The second school, at Edmonton, is an Air Observers’ School. To this pupils have come from an Initial Training School for specialised instruction in aerial photography, reconnaissance and air navigation. The School is operated by a civilian company, with W.R. ”Wop” May, the famous commercial flyer and veteran of the Great War, as General Manager. - Dominions Office Press Section M.0.1. 2. MALAYA AT WAR. For the first time Malays are to be sent to the Indian Military College at Dehra Dun. They are going from Johore, a State at the southern end of the Malay Peninsula which maintains its own regiment of regular troops and wishes to train some of its officers in I ndia. A Singapore Dutch business man has a novel idea to help the local fund to buy planes for the R.A.F.. Owing to war conditions, his work is usually finished by 10,30 a.m. He suggests that in view of the shortage of staffs in many Singapore business firms his services might be of use, and that, if he were paid at the normal rate for a European doing responsible work, he would give the whole of his remuneration to war funds to be divided equally between the local War Fund and - the Dutch Relief Fund. Singapore is resolved to become less dependent on foreign supplies of vegetables. The Government has allocated 360 acres of arable land for their cultivation; and this is part of a much larger scheme to make the island self- supporting in fresh vegetables. Assistance is being given to squatters, mostly Chinese,, who have ’’colonized” the land. Colonial Office Press Section. - M. 0.1, 3- M.0.1. News Bulletin No. 83 -Page 2. GIFTS FOR AIRCRAFT PURCHASE. The Minister of Aircraft Production acknowledges with deep gratitude a thousand pounds from the staff of Lever Brothers and Unilever Ltd. gift of twenty and their companies for the purchase of a bomber. associated The letter which accompanied the gift was signed by Mr. James E. Mundy, an engineering worker at Port Sunlight, and Mr. H.R. Greenhalgh vice chairman of Lever Bros, and Unilever Ltd. The fund has only recently been started and the company made immediate payment of the twenty thousand pounds as many of the workers are making their contributions in weekly instalments. The company has undertaken to double whatever is subscribed. Other gifts towards the purchase of aircraft acknowledged are: Miss Cherry Garrard, Godaiming <£2s Mrs. Swan, Rock Ferry, Birkenhead £5O Widow, Barnstaple, Devon (old age pensioner of 75) 10/- Foim Six B, Grove Park Girls County School Wrexham (profit on their shop) tuck £ 5 A Yorkshire Working Woman (her holiday money) £ 8, 8. 0 Mr. George Thorlby, Bicker, nr. Boston £lOO Mr. Thorlby a farmer, in a letter to the Minister of Aircraft Production said: "I think the R.A.F. lads grand. I told my missus some time ago are real that the first time they brought down seventy Germans in a day I should give Lord Beaverbrook a hundred pounds". Mr. and Mrs. Berry, Hampstead £2-9-8. Mrs. W. De Worms, Roehampton Lane, S.W. 15 £5-0-0 Ship and Anchor Inn, Maldon, Essex. £6-0-0 Womens Section, The British Legion,Rochester & Stroud £5-0-0 Mr. Philip Dickens, New Malden, Surrey £5-0-0 Master and crew of the tanker "Capulet" £l4-0-0 "We men in the tanker service who carry the fuel realise what truly wonderful work our pilots are doing and look with the utmost relief and pleasure when we meet our air escort after an Atlantic passage". "Swansea Evening Post" £5OOO-0-0 (subscribed by all classes and communities) - Ministry of Aircraft Production. M. 0,1. 4. GOLD, COAST THANKED. The Secretary for the Colonies has sent the following message to the Governor of the Gold Coast:- "Please convey to all concerned an expression of H.M. Government’s deep appreciation of your continued and to the Spitfire Fund." very generous response Dominica "Win the War Fund": Lloyd has expressed the deep appreciation of H.M. Government of the Lord institution of the Dominica "Win the War Fund" and the grateful acknowledgment of the first instalment of £soo* - Colonial Office Press Section, M. 0.1, 5» NEW ZEALAND’S GIFT FOR AIRCRAFT. In response to the fund of £lOO,OOO now being raised by public subscription in New Zealand for aircraft for the R.A.F., Lord Beaverbrook has sent the following message to the Prime Minister of New Zealand:- "We rejoiced to hear of Southland’s fine effort and of the fund now are being raised in New Zealand to give planes to the Royal Air Force. New Zealand, through her valiant sons and splendid formations organised by the Dominion Government, and by her part in the Empire Air Scheme, is already making a contribution to our common cause which stirs admiration from the whole Empire. New Zealand pilots fighting in the R.A.F. are the terror of our enemies. The New Zealand gifts of aircraft will be gratefully received. We shall rejoice to them among the that Citadel.” Dominions Office Press see squadrons guard our - ' Section M.0,1. 6. 11,0,1. News Bulletin No, 83, Page Three, BURMA WAR DONATION FUND The Burma War Donation Fund, inaugurated at the end of March by a Committee representative of all communities in Burma for the receipt of contributions from private donors to His Majesty’s Government for purposes connected with the war, amounted at the middle of August to £125,000. At the request of the subscribers, the Committee have suggested that contributions to this Fund should be specially devoted to the provision and upkeep of a squadron of fighter aeroplanes. The Secretary of State for Air has most gratefully accepted the suggestion, and a squadron will be formed bearing the name of "The Burma Squadron", and the aircraft allotted to it will bear the national emblem of Burma - "a peacoak in his pride". In addition, contributions to His Majesty’s Government for general purposes connected with the war received from rulers arid peoples of individual Shan States, over and above the gift of £40,000 from the Shan States Federal Fund which was made on the unanimous recommendation of the Council of Shan Chiefs, have reached a total of £20,000. The of £4,500 has been given by the Rulers of the Karenni States. sum In all, the contributions received from various donors in Burma, including the gift of £lO,OOO to the Red Cross Fund by the Sawbwa of Tawngpeng and his monthly remittance to His Majesty’s Government of Rs. 500 for the period of the War, amount to well over £200,000. The Secretary of State for Burma has sent the following message to the Governor of Burma: - On behalf of His Majesty’s Government, I gratefully and proudly acknowledge the generous the many private donors to the Burma War Donation Fund -whose gifts of contributions have already swelled tliat Fund to over £125,000. The Secretary of State for Air has gladly accepted the suggestion of the Committee of the Burma Fund that these contributions should be devoted to the provision and upkeep of a squadron of fighter aeroplanes which shall be called ’’The Burma Squadron” and the aircraft forming which shall display the national emblem of Burma. I wish, too, to express the very deep gratitude of His Majesty’s Government to the Rulers of the Karenni States for their generous donations and also to acknowledge the liberality of the Shan Chiefs and the peoples of their States, who, not content with a very considerable contribution from the Shan States Federal Fund, made on the unanimous motion of the Council of Shan Chiefs, have supplemented this with individual gifts. These donations from all parts of Burma, amounting they do to over £200,000 as are a notable addition to the impressive sums that have poured in from all parts of the some contributed by private Empire, individuals, high or low, rich or poor e others spontaneously voted by the Legislatures of the various territories. Together they form a most heartening symbol of the determination inspiring all parts of the Empire to fight shoulder to shoulder till victory is attained, Burma Office, M,0,1, 7* CANADA FLOCKS TO THE COLOURS 11 "Blitzkrieg Stimulates Recruiting, An immediate stimulus in recruiting in Canada has been one of the results of the opening of the Battle of Britain; there are in fact only some 5,000 vacancies in the Canadian Active Service Force, While the Battle of Prance proceeding, a third Canadian Division was was authorised (May 24th), and yet afinrth (June 1). During the ensuing weeks, the manhood of the Dominion has flocked to the recruiting stations, and in six of the grimmest weeks of the war over 50,000 men enlisted. Immediate concentration is being made on training, and equipping the third and fourth divisions for war, but finality in Canada’s, recruiting policy has not been reached, Quite apart from the men needed to reinforce the divisions in the field, more active recruiting would be resumed should the course of operations in the theatre of war demand it. Dominions Office Press Section, M,0,1, 8, M. 0,1. News Bulletin No. 83. -Page 4* BATTERIES - NOTICE TO WORTERS. increasing quantities of torch batteries are being produced Substantial and in the United Kingdom but it may be necessary to supplement them with imports to ensure adequate supplies for the winter months. So that no time shall be lost in ensuring adequate supplies, the Import Licensing Department of the Board of Trade is compiling a register of importers to whom import licences can be issued if necessary. Firms desiring to import torch batteries are urged to send the following particulars to the Secretary, Torch Battery Imports Advisory Committee, 69 Cannon Street, London, E.C*3*, as soon as possible and, in any case, before September 7th: (l) Imports of torch batteries during the year ended 31st May, 1940, showing c.i.f. value and quantity of each type of battery imported from each separate country. The return should include only batteries for which the applicant was directly responsible for paying the overseas supplier. (2) Pre-war experience of the torch battery trade, whether as manufacturer, importer, wholesaler or retailer. - Board of Trade. M.0.1* 9* OPEN LICENCES. The Board of Trade announce that they have issued Open Licences under the Limitation of Supplies (Miscellaneous) Order, 1940, and under the Piece Goods and Made-up Goods (Cotton, Rayon and Linen) Order, 1940, the affect of which is to permit for the time being supplies of certain conti'olled goods to be made without restriction by registered persons to a number of bodies which are members of the Council of Voluntary War Work, in cases where these supplies are certified by the War Office to be required in connection with the provision or amenities for the Armed Forces, The bodies to which supplies may be made under the Licence are the following:- Church Army Catholic Worm's League Church of Scotland Huts Committee The Royal Navy, Army and Air Force Board of the Methodist Church Salvation Army Toe H. National Council of Young Women’s Christian Associations. National Council of Young Men's Christian Associations. The controlled goods which may be supplied under the Licence without restriction to these bodies are all goods controlled under the Piece Goods and Made-up Goods (Cotton, Rayon and Linen) Order, 1940, an d the following kinds of goods controlled under the Limitation of Supplies (Miscellaneous) Order, 1940 - All goods of Classes 6,7,& 1J (except toys). Lace Net Hair Combs 1 Smokers ash receptacles Toilet preparations Cash registers Hair drying machines Electric irons of the kind commonly used for domestic purposes list of the goods referred to will be found in the Explanatory A full Memorandum relating to the Limitation of Supplies (Miscellaneous) Order, 1940, which has been published by H.M. Stationery Office. Controlled goods of these kinds supplied on or after 22nd August, 1940, under these Licences need not be counted against the quota although supplied to unregistered persons, but may be supplier’s supplied free of all restriction. It is most important, however, that registered /suppliers M. 0.1. News Bulletin No* 83 - Page 5* be made to these bodies suppliers should note that such unrestricted supplies may orders which bear certificate showing that they have been only against a stamp or authorised by the War Office. Any supplies of controlled goods to these organisations against orders which do not bear such a stamp must be counted against the supplier’s quota. Similarly all controlled goods supplied before the date of these Licences, namely 22nd August, I%o> are not affected by these Licences and must be counted against the supplier’s quota of permitted supplies. Board of - Trade. M.0.1» 10 • THE LATE LORD STRICKLAND SECRETARY FOR THE COLONIES’ TELEGRAM TO MALTA The Secretary of State for the Colonies has sent the following telegram to the Officer Administering the Government of Malta: ”1 have received the news of Lord Strickland’s great regret. By death with his death Malta has been deprived patriot, of political leader and a most a a generous benefactor. His loss will be deeply felt throughout the colony and not least in the Councils of Government in which he has played so prominent a part. I have telegraphed direct to Lady Strickland conveying to her and to the members of his family in Malta my deep sympathy”. - Colonial Office Press Section M.0.1. 11. WAR RISK INSURANCE FOR FILM PRODUCTION. The Board of Trade announce a scheme for indemnifying producers of British long films against certain types of loss, resulting from King’s Enemy risk. This scheme which will come into force at once has been prepared at the instance of the general body of British film producers with a view to increasing the volume of production which has been affected by the absence of cover against war risks. The policy to be issued under this scheme until further notice, will indemnify the producers against the increased cost of completion of any production arising from injury to the principal artists and other persons ’’named” by the producer, or from damage to the studio equipment and negative as result of a enemy action. The tipper limit of claims which can be met will be sufficiently high to provide full insurance for all but a very small number of the pictures likely to be produced in this country during the war. For the most costly a substantial proportion of cover will be available. The premium payable will vary with the number of persons ’’named” by the producer and with the number of weeks occupied on production. Rates will, be 2/- per cent, per week plus 2/- per cent, per ’’named” person per week (subject to a minimum). Premiums will be payable on the estimated cost of production after deduction of certain items such as story, scenario, set designs, financial charges and some of the production overheads. Proposal forms can be obtained on written application from: The Comptroller of the Companies Department, Board of Trade, Great George Street, S.W.I, Board of Trade M. 0.1. 12. AIR MINISTRY BULLETIN IU7U* 23/8/40 - No. 20. Air Ministry. News Service. LOW FLYING ATTACKS. German airmen, encouraged by heavy cloud, were able to practise individual low-flying attacks to-day (Friday). Among the interesting they selected, were the streets of a spa, the of targets grass a race- the cottages of small and police-station, all in course a village, a the Midlands. The spa street and police station were machine-gunned, the race- course and village were dealt with by bombs. There was one casualty in the village. The German bombers also tried, to machine-gun anti-aircraft sites, but that was more dangerous* Between 7 o'clock yesterday (Thursday) evening and mid-day to-day (Friday), four enemy aircraft have been shot down by anti-aircraft fire. To-day’s enemy casualties are four aircraft, two by anti-aircraft guns, two by our fighters. Last night’s anti-aircraft successes bring the number of German losses on Thursday up to 10. Lewis-gunners on the North-east coast claimed the first anti- aircraft victory before dawn this morning. They caught a Junkers 88 bomber as. it swept over them and. sent it crashing into the sea. Shortly before mid-day anti-aircraft gunners brought down a Dornier 215 in Cambridgeshire. Their 5 inch gun d,amagcd it just sufficiently to force the German pilot to land. All five of its crew were taken prisoner. 1 . This morning s first fighter success was between the Orkneys and the Shetlands. Three Hurricane pilots on patrol chased a Heinkel 111 bomber. A few bursts of machine-gun bullets made it d.ive straight into the sea. The Hurricane pilots directed a launch to look for survivors, but they could find, only a patch of oil on the water with smoke drifting up from it. One of the German bombers destroyed on Thursday evening was shot down by a Belgian fighter pilot. It was the fifth aircraft to enemy be destroyed by him since he joined a Fighter Command squadron a month ago after escaping with his wife and baby from Belgium. His victim yesterday evening was a Junkers 88, spotted, while he was patrol off the South Devon coast= on When attacked, the Junkers dropped its bombs into the sea, caught fire and crashed. AIR MINISTRY. 23/8/40 - No. 21 BRITISH PRISONERS OP WAR Following is the latest list of British prisoners of war in enemy hands as received from a German source:- Sergeant John Taylor (3111, Moorside (Corbar?), Sheffield. Sergeant Frederick Lindsay, 12 Sandy Lane, Cheshire. Wallasey, Sergeant Kenneth Sarrow, Church Cottage, Basingstoke, Hants. Sergeant Cyril Butcher, Black House, Blenheim Road, Ramsay, Huntingdonshire. Sergeant Maurice Stretton, 48 Auckland Road, Smethwick, Staffordshire. MINISTRY OF INFORMATION