13.3.40. 2. - DENMARK: FINNISH PEACE SWEDEN CRITICISED. The part that Sweden played in the negotiations leading to the Russo-Finnish peace is referred to in critical words in today's Danish Press. Criticising Sweden for handing on the Soviet peace terms to the Finnish Government NATIONAEffIIENEE states: "A merciless searchlight will be switched on to the motives of the Swedish, and probably also the Norwegian, Government and it will not be turned off before every of the effect on the fate, comer of Finland, of the North and of Europe has been laid bare. In this connection the Chamberlain and M. Daladier yesterday gave a speeches by Mr, warning that could not be misunderstood. "The world's opinion of the Scandinavian Pact is about to be formed. Meanwhile many will believe that such mood 3 crop up and disappear as new events occur to distract attention. Perhaps these people are right* But if this peace, which poor bleeding Finland in her awful loneliness, has had to accept from the hands of the Soviet, sows dissension both among the people of Finland and the rest of Scandinavia, then who dare in advance reckon the cost?" The general attitude of the Danish Press is one of resentment that such peace terms should haVe been imposed on Finland. Regarding the Allies’ offers of help the BERLINGSKE TIDENDE, quoting the Swedish paper SVENSKA DAGBLADET stated: "We do not wish to see Scandinavia tufted into a battlefield for the Allies' northern flank, and, as a matter of fact, we have not so much confidence in their military power." SWITZERLAND: ;JLLIES CRITICISED AND PRAISED* Mixed criticism and praise for the Allies is contained in today’s Swiss Press commenting on the Russo-Finnish peace agreement. LA SUISSE, the Geneva newspaper states: "Now that peace has been signed it is possible to estimate the effect of the Allied procrastination. To make aid conditional.urn -according the right of passage was to throw upon a neutral state the responsibility of extending the theatre of war which she could not assume. Peace represents a lost battle for the Allies but throws light on their desire to compel the aggressor to respect the independence of small states:" SWEDEN: BITTERNESS FORESEEN IN FINLAND. DAGENS NYHETER, commenting on the Russo-Finnish Peace foresees Agreement, bitterness in Finland over the terms, but points out that Finland has done "a unique service for the rights of small nations and for human security." This paper adds : "The Peace Agreement shows that even her enemies respect her. The fear of influence of Russian imperialism in the Finnish Gulf is still officially confined to the requirements of Leningrad’s security." DAGENS NYHETER goes on to describe the tremendous increase in these requirements since last autumn, and fears that the Hangoe loop-hole in Finland’s defences may become a breach. Surrender last autumn to the Russian demand would have been interpreted as the "beginning of the end, but now the Soviet knows what Finland’s defences are worth and Finland knows Russian limitations. "Finland’s successful defensive fight has put the enemy in the situation that a continuation might involve serious complications with the Westem Powers, the developments of which might be still more imminent in another conflict in different circumstances. "The Agreement is not a guarantee of future peace and security, "but no small nation in Europe feels secure at the moment. All are dependent on the issue of the Great War. Meanwhile Sweden must continue to strengthen her defences in the interests of S andinavia." c 13.3.40. 3. and STOCICHOIi.xS TIDNINGEK expresses "great sorrow" at the peace terms those considers that the sacrifices made during the war axe only surpassed by have to be made for peace. Had Finland not been alone developments might been different, but last minute Allied help was too uncertain for Finland to rely upon since it might have brought Sweden and Norway into the war and laid waste the whole of Scandinavia. Sweden's military support of Finland was made in Sweden and impossible because sufficient preparations had not been because it would have involved the abandonment of her neutrality. not been the future and "The fight has in vain if forceful men may shape if Sweden adds "If Finland and does her duty to Finland", the paper. Sweden now pursue the right policy, Finland’s new frontiers are guaranteed and if Sweden undertakes to support Finland with all her military resources." SVENSKA DAGBLADET points out that the present peace is a restoration of the and 1721 peace of Nystad, the whole world has felt sympathy with Finland. adds: "When Mr, Chamberlain and M. Daladier this week treated This paper the Finnish question more thoroughly than ever before this must be interpreted not merely as a move in the Great Powers' game, but also as an expression of the attitude of their peoples* spontaneously, and without imperialist aims, demanding help for Finland, The rest of the world has confined its help to sympathy but the Allies' aircraft help must not be under-estimated. Finland has escaped the further horrors of war but has not security for the future - been sacrificed for peace at present? Even agreements are mortal. It is comforting that just as Hitler's attack on Poland crossed Stalin's attack on Poland so the final issue of the Finnish war is ultimately dependent on the result of the G eat War. " This paper goes on to state that it is feared that r Sweden be accused may despised and of responsibility for the present peace. made "To prevent this, further effort must be to give positive political new support to Finland and, furthermore, Sweden must guarantee Finland's - frontiers by defensive alliances preferably including Norway," it is added. "It is now clear that the fate of the Scandinavian countries is bound up with each other. " In a military review of the situation the SVENSKA DAGBLADET emphasises the Finnish strategic losses and points out that the loss of Hangoe con­stitutes a threat to Poland; The consequences also affect Sweden, SOCIAL DEMOK3RATEN, although expressing satisfaction that peace has been concluded at last, points out that it has been bought at a great price and that the losing of Hangoe inspires anxiety for the future. This paper adds: "For us in Sweden to have been able to do all-too­little despite our good, will to help Finland, peace will allow us a - breathing space perhaps only a short one -for considering and strengthening our defences. It must be made clear to the Scandinavian peoples in deeds and not only in words that Finland’s cause is our cause. This means that only life-and-death defence alliances of the Scandinavian countries can give us relative security in the future which alone we cannot achieve. "We have no confidence in the We have permanence of this agreement. no confidence in the guarantee of a country which has mutilated a nation and attacked a free people. We realise that every small nation and - - above all we in the north must prepare unitedly and with the help of weapons to defend ourselves and our vital interests as long as we can fight." NYA DAGLIGT ALLEH.'ADDA describes Mr. Chamberlain’s speech as sensational but points out that practical considerations must over-ride political desires. this "Allied intervention immediately involves practical difficulties", paper adds, "The Allies’ war aim is the defeat of Nazi Germany and intervention in Scandinavia would not be undertaken for the sake of S andinavian countries." 13.3.40. ™EUHD: PRESS UP .ATTITUDE TO SIGNING OF AG-REELGNT. Until almost the last hour before the signing of the Russo-Finnish peace agreement the Finnish Press maintained its attitude that the Russian demands could not be accepted. The.ILKKA stated yesterday: "Last Autumn we could not acceptunjustified demands destroying our independence but it is still less possible to accept them now. The Finnish Defence forces are not destroyed and neither is our fighting spirit. Rumours that Sweden is bringing pressure secure our acceptance of these unjustifiable terms are unbelievable. The danger threatening Scandinavia is only increased if Finland weakens and such ­ a peace is unacceptable to Swedish interests. If the present peace offer means Finland's territorial destruction she is able to do nothing except continue to fight." The provincial newspaper KALEVA, voicing the opinion of Northern Finland, wrote: "Finland is still convinced of the possibility of victory and expectsassistance. We had not the least desire to accept the earlier Russian demands and still less the increased terms." BELGIUM: FINLAND'S "FIRM AND HONOURABLE PEACE." The tendency of a number of Belgium papers today is to welcome the Russo-Finnish peace as removing the danger of war spreading and eliminating the delicate question of the right of passage by way of Scandinavian countries, which might awkward involve an precedent. DAG under the headline "One fire in the burning hemisphere quenched" writes:"After long tense negotiations Finland obtains a firm and honourable peace." LEATATE NIEUWS declares: "The stubborn struggle of the Finnish peoplehas resulted in their maintaining personal independence and if no further perjury occurs they can expect reconstruction and better times. Moreover one now knows the exact worth of the Russian army," LA GAZETTE, the Liberal newspaper states: "The termination of the Russo-Finnish conflict proves, alas.’ that violence continues to pay." Discussing the question of the passage of troops the STANDAARD the Flemish Catholic journal affirms: "All small countries including Belgium possess complete sovereignty rights. They alone can decide about the passage of foreign troops." ITALY: "A PEACE OF COMPROMISE." The Russo-Finnish peace is described by the POPOLO DI ROMA today as a "peace of compromise." This paper adds: "In exchange for Finland’s sacrifices Russia must pay a evacuate Petsamo and a commercial heavy indemnity for Hangoe, sign treaty. Heroism has not striven in vain and with it is coupled a rare realistic sense deserving notice." describes Russia’s request for TELEGRAFO SignorAnsaldo writing in the "a that Stalin peace with Finland as degrading lowering of prestige but one did not hesitate to make after the effect of three months warfare on soldiers of the regime Lorn of Brest-litovsk," RSSTO DEL CARLINO pays a tribute to Finnish heroism and the heightened prestige with which Finland emerges from "this peace of compromise." 13.3.40. A ITALY: NEUTRALITY RE-AFFIRMED. Italy’s neutrality was emphasised in outspoken language by the Leghorn newspaper TGLEGRAFO. This journal wrote yesterday: "Neither Italy nor the Duce is open to influence as certain foreign newspapers would affirm. When the Duce decides to alter the attitude adopted last September he will do it on the basis of an absolutely personal valuation of events and all Italians will follow him because of their certainty that his decisions are inspired solely by consideration of the supreme moral and material interests of the Italian people. Our recent illustrious guest knows this fact infinitely better " than certain Western journalists. The MESSAGGERO declared: "The most insidious plans attributed to were von Ribbentrop, Even his visit to the Pope was regarded with suspicionowing to the Holy See’s natural inclination towards a rapid re-establishment ” of European peace. FRANCE: SATISFACTION AT COAL AGREEMENT. The French Press has continued to comment favourably upon the settlement of the Anglo-Italian coal dispute. In an editorial article in the ERE NOUVELLE it was stated: "Questions ©an be settled in this way with a little reason, moderation, a sense of what is just and a little political sense. Is it too much to ask that at the present of the Great War all should show some of these qualities? No-one stage should re-sdst their appeal, not even individuals and not even journalists. "All is then to end well and this incident will have been completely settled, since England offers in the future to make a considerable effort to supply Italy with the coal which she will no longer be able to receive from We the right road." One on Germany* good method has produced another. are In the ORDRE, Bure was afraid that Italy was preparing a big peace offensive, and Herr Von Ribbentrop’s visit to Rome was regarded by several organs as a move in this direction. The semi-official TEMPS howevsr portending arms reiterateduritb firmness thatEnglanddowjxjtheir until peace aimsL.wexe^attained. RQUIIiNIA: VAR’S DECISIVE MOMENT NEAR? "If one can judge from certain official and journalistic manifestations the decisive moment of the European war is near. " This statement is made today by TIMPUL which adds: "Each day it is announc ed that either the Germans or the Allies will launch the offensive on the Western Front. Mr. Sumner belles 1 journey which aroused so many hopes does not seem to have had the expected effect. Thanks to him however the situation is is the clearer and the belligerents show how deep precipice that separates them, affirming that only a gigantic battle can decide the issue." Referring to the Anglo-Italian coal settlement UNIVDRSUL states that coal which had been 'de-throned" by petrol had again resumed its former position. "It is evident that Great Britain cannot continue to grant liberty for German coal exports," adds the paper. "The only practicable solution for Italy would be to buy English coal as the American is too expensive. "From a legal and political point of view the question seems, in principle, The attitude taken by Great Britain is not concerned with less complex. contraband of war. It is a measure taken by one belligerent against another and the and. is it is justified by right of necessity. It is meant to harm Germany not directed, against Italy. !,The economic of this incident are serious but do not seem consequences irreparable. " 13.3.40. EGYPT: "BRITISH EMPIRE'NOT DECADENT." Nazi propaganda that the British Empire is decadent has received a strikingrefutation at the hands of Abdul Path, a spedial correspondent of the popularCairo newspaper AL MASRIi This correspondent wrote: "I went to England full of thoughts of what had been said in recent years regarding Britain -that she was old and weak, had reached the summit of her power which "-'as now declining and that the war would destroy her. After a few days in London I discovered that the Empire was never and - younger stronger precisely because of external threats.' "If ever this Empire is doomed to fall, it will not be because of external enemies but because of domestic factors this, however,'is most improbable for - I have never seen a nation combining firmness and adaptability like the British.' The writer contrasted the British respect for ancient traditions with the "most daring social theories which no other country has attempted" and concluded with a tribute to the patriotism and self-sacrifice of all classes of Britons in the present struggle. for AL MOKATTAM, appealing a "League of Eastern Nations," wrote: "The attitude of Turkey, Egypt, Iraq and Syria in supporting the Allies has proved a great influence on the course of the war. It is sure to convince peace-loving Europeans that the East, which they accused of ignorance and fanaticism, has now changed to a group of nations who support liberty and justice for their own sake. "The Russians and the Germans try to win the East's support in order to conquer the Allies. If successful, they will move Eastwards repeating what they have done in Czechoslovakia, Austria and Poland, spreading Nazism which conflicts with every principle of Islam. The Allies wanted East’s support the and they got it. They did not want it in order to dominate Europe and compel nations to adopt a particular social .and political creed." BRAZIL: ALLIES ’ "CLEAR PROGRAMME." The belief that Mr. Sumner Welles canßLeam little more about the Allies' war aims was expressed by 0 JOENAL. is clear and added "The Allies' programme explicit/’ this paper. "They Roosevelt has advocated and which are fighting for principles which Mr. constitute the essence of democracy." article on The JORNAL DO COMMERCIO, the influential Brazil newspaper, in an the its effectiveness and said that German foreign Allied blockade, pointed out trade was already strangled. second the German-Austrian Anschluss, the Referring to the anniversary of the world waiting CORREIO DA MALTHA stated that many Austrians throughout were for justice and "a restoration which is in process of being achieved." COSTA RICA: BRITISH METHODS OP GOVERNMENT PRAISED. British methods of government have been praised in articles appearing in LA TRIBUNA. is no truer the conviction exists that there "In world development of Great Britain," exponent of democracy, liberty and justice than the people the Press, Parliament and constitutional self- it was stated. "The liberty of merit the admiration and sympathy of such peoples as the Costa Ricans, government who are legitimately aspiring to attain government of the people for the people and by the people. 6. 13.3.40. "Thus we have much to learn from England's example. The British.Empire, and of distinct races and languages living in it does hundreds comprising as is an or wars, amity and resolving its problems humanely vd_thout disputes that the nations of and extraordinary lesson in humanity crystal-clear proof the world can live in peace without the necessity of the stupidity called war, with which is the essence of barbarism. The peace-loving Costa Ricans agree that human and more perfect solutions England and Prance problemshar/e purer than in violence." in reason The writer concluded by advocating increased imports of British goods in the past England may continue to be Resource of that in the future as the Republic's economic nutrition." "so GERMANY: MORE DEMANDED OP GERMAN PEOPLE. More and more is being demanded of the hard-pressed German people who, according to the Nazi-controlled Press and. only the German Press are glad to make sacrifices. The LOKAL ANZEIGER wrote: have "The five previous sacrifice Sundays shown that the whole German people realises the necessity of these monthlysacrifices. It has been shown that the joy in sacrifice is always capable of increase. This time the motto is ’Everyone gives more than before. ’ " The "sacrifice Sundays" held during the winter relief campaign on the first Sunday in each month, replaced for obvious reasons the former - - ate stew instead of the system of pretending that everyone usual Sunday dinner and collecting a small "tribute" intended to represent the difference in the cost of the two meals. The discussions in the English Press regarding the Public S hool system c gave the BERLINER BOERS.]N ZEITUNG an opportunity to make an attack on the "British plutocrats". In a distorted message under the headline "Twilight of the plutocrats in England" from its Amsterdam correspondent, this paper stated: "In a speech to English airmen in Prance, Sir Cyril Norwood foretold the end of the world-renowned Public School system in England. After the v/ar there will be too few parents who can afford to pay £2OO a year for the education of a single child." The German Press has attempted to convince its readers that the success" and German News Leipzig Spring Pair was an "unparalleled a Agency message stated: "The expectations of the exhibitors were all greatly exceeded. " The FRANKFURTER ZEITUNG stated: "As regards foreign business it may be reported that extensive business in toys was done with Sweden and Denmark Rumania, Hungary and the Protectorate of Bohemia andMravia bought a lot of in knives, forks, spoons and other household, articles. Stockings were special demand by Dutch buyers and Italian buyers placed orders for photographic articles." The German Press did not however endeavour to explain why, in view of the "great success" of the Pair, it had been postponed indefinitely. 13/3/40 -No.1. FRENCH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE (MORNING) Paris, Wednesday l3th March, 1940. The following official communique was issued this morning by the French G-.H. Q:­ Nothing to report. - 13/3/40 No.2. CANADIAN TROOPS BEGIN VOTING TOMORROW > The Ist Canadian Division at Aldershot has completed of its officers the arrangements for handling the votes and men for the Federal Parliamentary election. Voting takes place between March 14 and 23. Some of the troops have been able to gain acquaintance with election issues from the Dominion s 5 but newspapers, no circular letters have been sent to them by any of the candidates. EMPIRE AFFAIRS. MINISTRY OF SUPPLY AREA ORGANIZATION. Newcastle Area Advisory Committee The Ministry of Supply announces that the Area Advisory Committee at Newcastle has been inaugurated and will hold its first meeting on Thursday, 14th March. The members of the Committees are as follows :­ Nominated by the Engineering Employers 7 Federation Mr. John Neill (North Eastern Marine Engineering Co.(1938) Ltd., Walisend, Northumberland.) Commander E.R.Micklen* R.N. Elswick (Vickers-Armstrongs Ltd., Works, Newcastle-on-Tyne.) Mr, P.B. Johnson (Ro &. W. Hawthorn, Leslie & Co. Ltd., St. Peter’s Works, Newcastle-on-Tyne.) Mr® VYoA. Harriman (A. Reyrollo & Co, Ltd., Hebburn, Co.Durham) Mr. Norman Marr (Sunderland Forge & Engineering Co. Ltd., Sunderland.) Mr. FoGoKo Bedford (C,A, Parsons & Co Ltd., Heaton Works, o Newcastle-on-Tyne.) Mr. Jo Thomas (John Lynn & Co, Ltd., Pallion, Sunderland.) Mr. Wo Co. Taylor (Clarke, Chapman & Ltd., Gateshead.) Mr. George H.Wright (Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd., Newcastle-on-Tyne,) Mr. James Cameron East Coast (North Engineering Employers’ Association, Bolbec Hall, Westgate Road, Newcastle-on-Tyne.) Nominated by the Trades Union Congress Mr, J.W. Mitchell ) Mr. J. Bowman ) Amalgamated Engineering Union Mr. J.H. Twaddle ) Mr. C.M. Dawson ) Mr. WoLo Barker (Amalgamated. Society of Woodworkers) Mr. P. McArdle (Boilermakers 4 Iron & Steel Shipbuilders’ Society).. Mr. G.W® Cable (Shipconstructors ’ & Shipwrights’ Association) Mr. J. Milstead (Associated Blacksmiths & Ironworkers) Mr. J. Wray (National Union of Foundry Workers) Mr. J. Kelley (Association of Engineering & Shipbuilding Draughtsmen^) Ministry of Supply, Press Office, Adelphi, WoC.2* 13/3/40 . G. 354. The Secretary to the Ministry of Transport makes the following announcement:­ The number of persons reported by the police as having died in Great Britain during the twenty-nine days of February, 194-0, as the result of road accidents was 416, as compared with 463 during the twenty-eight days of February 1939, a decrease of just over 10 per cent. Fatalities among pedestrians of 15 years of age and over increased from 179 to all other classes of road users show decreases. This is the first occasion since the outbreak of war on which a monthly figure of road deaths has fallen below that for the corresponding month in the previous year. In comparison with January 194-0, the figures for daylight accidents remained almost the there is a same; reduction of nearly 200 in the figures for the "hours of darkness". It is not possible to say how much of this decrease is to he attributed (i) to the new 20 m.p.h* speed limit in built-up areas during hours of darkness, (ii) to press, broadcast and other warnings as to the need of care in the use of roads during the "black out", (iii) to snow and ice which undoubtedly reduced road traffic in the earlier part of the month, or (iv) to the reinstatement of summer time on the 25th February, which added an hour of daylight at a time when traffic is normally heavy. Ministry of Transport, Metropole Buildings, Northumbcrland Avenue, London, F.C.2. 13th March, 1940. 2440. THE SECRETARY to the MINISTRY OF TRAIT PORT makes the following - announcement: RETURN of the MJHBIHo Of PHRI 0111 reported to have died in GREAT BRITAIN during the month of February, 1940, as a result of ROAD ACCIDENTS, with comparable figures for the corresponding period in 1939* On roads subject On roads not to a speed limit» subject to a Totals Classification of Persons* speed limits 1939 1940 1939 1940 1939 1940 Pedestrians (i) under 15 years of age 72 29 n i 4 79 33 (ii) 15 years of age and over 137 205 42 55 179 260 drivers of mechanically-propelled vehicles other than motor cycles lx 5 12 r-o 23 10 Hotor Cyclists oK XX 7 31 17 54 24 Pillion Passengers o Li - n / 3 9 3 Pedal Cyclists (i) under 15 (ii) 15 3/ears years of age of age and 7 4 3 10 4 over 4-1 25 30 26 71 51 Other Persons 1 £ 17 "17 38 31 All Persons OxC-289 149 127 463 416 A detailed statement is attached showing the total figures reported by EACH POLICE DISTRICT during the month of February, 1940, respectively, with comparable figures for the corresponding period in 1939, Analysis of figures for February, 1940, to show the fatalities during "hours of darkness" and "other hours" respectively* On roads subject On roads not Glassification of Persons« to a speed limits subject to a 'Total, limit* speed During During During During During During hours of other hours of other hours of other darkness© hours* darkness, hours. darkness,hours, Pedestrians (i) under 15 years of age (ii) 15 years of age and over Drivers of mechar&calXyyprocelled vehicles ether than motor cycles **otor Cyclists Pillion Passengers Pedal Cyclists (i) under 15'years of age (ii) 15 years of age and over 3 171 1 1 *•» -6 26 34 4 6 -A 19 1 46 1 7 2 -13 3 9 4 10 1 -13 4 217 2 . 8 2 19 29 43 8 16 1 4 32 Other Persons 7 7 6 11 15 18 All Persons 189 ICO 76 r 51 265 151 - 2­ - ROAD ACCIDENTS GREAT BRITAIN. the Statement showing for EACH POLICE DISTRICT number of persons reported to have died during the month of February, 1940, as a result of road accidents compared with the corresponding period in 1939. 1940 Police District* During During Total, 1939 hours of other darkness. hours. Englando Bedfordshire Bedford County 1 1 2 2 —— Bedford -­ --— - Lut on Berkshire - Berks County 2 2 ; 2 - Reading 1 1 3 V/indsor 1 1 1 — * Buckinghamshire Buckingham County 3 2 5 < 8 1— — Chepping Wycombe 1 \ Cambridgeshire 11 — Cambridge County ; ii -— Cambridge Isle of Ely :j 2 — —— Cheshire i> Chester County 6 1 7 * 4 / -— Birkenhead 4 1* — —­ Chester Congleton i Hyde Macclesfield i t --— Stalybridge 112 1 Stockport \ — —- Wallasey ) Cornwall Cornwall County 1 2 3 4 1 ——-— Penzance f Cumberland & Westmorland Cumberland & Westmorland 2 3 5 1 Carlisle - 1 1 1 Kendal — 2 8 1 i Derbyshire Derby County 1 i 5 Chesterfield 1 1 1 2 - - Derby ii 2 —-— Glossop ! i Devonshire DevonCounty 3 4 } 7 3 Exeter Plymouth 2 2 4 2 1 _ _— Tiverton Dorset County 2 4 6 5 Police District. Durham Durham County Gateshead Hartlepool South Shields Sunderland Essex Essex County Colchester Southend-on-Sea Gloucestershire Gloucester County Bristol Hampshire Southampton County Isle of Wight Portsmouth Southampton Winchester Herefordshire Hereford County Hereford Hertfordshire Hertford County St. Albans Huntingdon County Kent Kent County Canterbury Dover Folkestone Gravesend Maidstone Margate Ramsgate Rochester Tunbridge Wells Lancashire Lancaster County Accrington Ashton-under-Lyne Bacup Barrow-in-Furnes s Blackburn Blackpool Bolton Bootle Burnley Clitheroe Lancaster Liverpoo1 Manchester Oldham Preston 3 During hours of darkness. 8 - 4 - 1 - - 2 3 2 - 1 2 - — 3 I 3 - — - - - - - — 12 - 1 - - - 1' 3 2 - 1 6 4 2 - 1940. During other hours. 1 - - 1 1 2 1 - 1 2 2 - 1 - — — 2 — - — — - - - 1 — 12 — — — — — 1 — — — 3 4 - — Total. 9 - - 5 1 3 1 — 3 5 4 — 2 2 — — 5 — - 3 — — - - 7¦ i — 24 — 1 — — — 1 3 1 2 — 1 9 8 2 — i 1939. 8 1 - - 2 8 - - 6 4 9 - 4 2 — — 5 —* 2 4 — ** 1 — 1 — — — 1 20 ** 1 —• 3 2 — — **• 5 10 — 2 4 1940 Police District 1939 During hours During Total, of darkness, other hours. Lancashire (cont’d). Rochdale 1 2 3­ Sto Helens 1 -11 Salford 2 133 - Southport 1 Warrington - Wigan Leicestershire Leicester County 3 148 Leicester 1 126 Lincolnshire Lincoln County 1 345 Boston - - Grantham - Grimsby 1 Lincoln London City I Metropolitan 44 21 65 77 Monraouthshire - Monmouth County 3 3­ Newport 1 1 1 Norfolk / Norfolk County 112 - Great Yarmouth 1 1 - - - King ? s Lynn - Norwich 111 I I Northamptonshire - 4 42 Northampton County j - Northampton Peterborough Liberty 1 1 Peterborough - Northumberland - Northumberland County 6 6 5 Newcastle-upon-Tyne 3 251 Tynemouth No 11inghamshire Nottingham County 3 147 Newark -­ Nottingham 2 132 Oxfordshire Oxford County 223 - - Oxford 111 Rutland County 1 5 Police District. 1940 i During hours During of darkness* other hours. Total* 1939 Salop Salop County 2 1 3 4 Shrewsbury 2 - 2 - Somersetshire Somerset County 1 3 4 6 Bath - 1 1 — Bridgwater - - - - Staffordshire Stafford County 2 2 4 8 Newcastle-under-Lyme ' - - — 1 Stoke-on-Trent 4 — 4 3 Walsall 1 - 1 1 Wolverhampton 1 — 1 1 Suffolk Suffolk East County 1 1 2 3 Suffolk West County 2 1 3 — Ipswich 1 — 1 1 Surrey Surrey County - 4 4 3 Guildford - - - 1 Reigate — — - 1 Sussex Sussex East County 1 - 1 1 Sussex West County - - - 6 Brighton 2 - 2 1 Eastbourne - - - 1 Hastings - - - 1 Hove — — — 3 Warwickshire Warwick County 5 . 1 6 9 Birmingham 4 1 5 17 Coventry - - - 4 Leamington — — — — Wiltshire Wilts County 2 - 2 3 Salisbury — — — — Worcestershire Worcester County 1 - 1 3 Dudley - - - 1 Kidderminster - - - — Worcester — 1 1 1 Yorkshire East Riding County 1 1 2 1 King s ton-upon-Hu11 — — — 1 North Ik ling County 4 1 5 3 Middlesbrough 4 - 4 3 Scarborough - - - - York - - - — Police District. Yorkshire (continued) West Riding County Barnsley Bradford Dewsbury Doncaster Halifax Huddersfield Leeds Rotherham Sheffield Wakefield Total, England Wales. Anglesey County Brecon County Caernarvon County Cardigan County Carmarthenshire Carmarthen County Carmarthen Denbigh County Flint County Glamorganshire Glamorgan County Cardiff Merthyr Tydfil Neath Swansea Merioneth County Montgomery County Pembroke County Radnor County Total, Wales, 6 j During hours of darknes s. 5 — 2 - - - - 1 - 5 — 214 - - - 1 — - 1 3 - - 2 1 1 1. 1 - 11 1940 During other hours. 2 — - - 1 - - 1 4 — 130 — - 1 - 1 — 1 - 1 - - - - - - - 4 Total. 7 — 2 — 1 - - 1 1 9 — 344 - 1 - 2 — 1 1 4 — - 2 1 1 1 1 - 15 ! 1939 20 — 5 — — 1 1 5 1 5 1 412 i 1 - - 4 — 1 1 3 — 1 - 3 - - - - 15 7 Police District. ; 1940 1939 ; During hours During other Total i of darkness. hours. Sr' - I J Scotland. ! Aberdeenshire _ Aberdeen County 1 1 Aberdeen 1 1 2 2 Angus - - - Angus County 1 Arbroath - -- 22 Argyll County • ! Ayrshire Ayr County 1 2 i3 - Ayr Kilmarnock 1 - 1 Banff County - Berwick County 1 1 _ Bute County Caithness County 2 2 - Clackmannan County | j _ Dumfries County 1 1 | Dunbartonshire Dunbarton County 3 1 4 1 2 Dumbarton _ _ _ East Lothian County 1 i i 1 t S Pifeshire 1 _ Fife County X i i Dunfermline 1 1 t - i _- Kirkcaldy ! Inverness-shire Inverness County Inverness ,— —— Kincardine County 1 i­ 1 ~ - Kirkcudbright County Lanarkshire i Lanark County 1 4 5 4 -„ Airdrie -_ Coatbridge 107 9 Glasgow 17 Hamilton 1 - —_ —— 'Motherwell & Wishaw *w 1 Midlothian Midlothian County [ 2 1S Edinburgh 7 8 8 1940* Police District* During During 1939 hours of other Total, darkness. hours• '! i Moray & Nairn County ii 1 - 1 jI Orkney County - Peebles County - “ “* Perthshire & Kinross Perth & Kinross County Perth -- 1 )j “ 1 j 1 Renfrewshire Renfrew County Greenock 1-1 1 -1 -1 Paisley Ross and Cromarty Comity jj 1 2 -- 1 2 1 j Roxburgh County ; - - - Selkirk County - - Stirling County ! 1 - 1 2 Sutherland County - - - - West Lothian County 1 ' - 1 1 I Wigtown County - ¦ Zetland Zetland County - - Lerwick - - - - Total, Scotland 40 17 57 36 i Total, Great Britain 265 ,1 151 416 ! I 463 Ministry of Transport, 13th March, 1940, 13.3.40 No 5 STATEMENT GIVEN TO CORRESPONDENTS AT MINISTRY OP ECONOMIC WARFARE ON MARCH 13th On March 12th there were 23 neutral ships in the three Contrabar Control bases in the United Kingdom, of which 14 had been there for four days or less. This total included:­14 Dutch (7 Dor 4 days or less*} "" »'" 3 Belgian (All ) » !! 2 Swedish ( 15t ” ) There were also one Esthonian, one Italian and one Norwegian ship which had been detained 4 days or less, and one Portuguese ship which had been detained over 4 days, During the week ending March 9th the Contraband Committee considered the cargoes of 86 ships which had arrived since March 2nd and 47 outstanding cargoes from the previous week. The combined total included ships of the following nationalities:­ 33 Dutch 33 Italian 24 Norwegian 9 United States 8 Danish 7 Greek 4 Belgian 4 Swedish In 68 cases entire cargoes were released, either on first consideration or after enquiries The system under which advance copies of manifests of cargoes are received and considered before the ships* arrival at ports in this country resulted, during under review, in 59 the week cases being so dealt with., and in 33 cases of the ships concerned being released by the Committee subject merely to the formal checking of the original manifests on their arrival at the Control Bases, s MINISTRY OF ECONOMIC WARFARE. 13/3/40 No. 7. IMPORT LICENSING DEPARTMENT. NOTICE TO IMPORTERS N0.47. POTATOES At the Board of Trade the request of the Ministry of Pood have issued an Order (The Import of Goods (Prohibition) (No. 9) Order 1940) adding potatoes to the list of commodities the importation of which is prohibited except under licence. The Ministry of Pood wish to emphasise that the purpose of the Oraer is to to enable the Ministry secure a proper control of the commodity, in order to regulate the trade in the manner best calculated to serve the national interest. The Order will come into force on the 15th March, 1940, "but any goods covered "by the Order which are proved to the satisfaction of the Customs authorities to have "been despatched to the United Kingdom "before the Order came into effect will not require a licence. Any enquiries by importers on matters arising out of the Order should "be addressed to:­ The Ministry of Food (Potato Branch), Great Westminster House, Horseferry Road, London, S.W. 1. Import Licensing Department, Board of Trade, 25, Southampton Buildings Chancery Lane, London, W.C.2. 13th March, 1940. - 13/3/40 No.8. FEWER Re STRICTIONS FOR CAMPERS. in the restrictions on under canvas for Changes camps school children and young persons are announced by the Board of Education in a Memorandum issued to Local Education Authorities today. A similar Memorandum is being sent today by the National Youth Committee to National Voluntary Organisations, Camps may nov/ be pitched at a distance of two miles from Naval, Military or Air Force establishments or munition works instead of five miles as previously announced, but, where possible, sites should be selected at a further distance than two miles. In the eastern half of the country, camps should be limited to 20 tents which should all be camouflaged but there is no suggestion that the camouflaging of tents in other parts of the country is necessary. The Memorandum states that the Minister of Home Security shares the desire of the Board and the National Youth Committee that camps should be organised the fullest possible to extent compatible with reasonable iirecautions and the essential requirements of national defence. It is pointed out that, in view of possible risks, camps organised with peace time, cannot be the same freedom as in but the Minister feels confident that he can rely on the good sense and co-operation of camp organisers to take such precautions as may be possible and offers the following additional advice for their guidance 1• Gamps should not he pitched in close proximity to each other, 2. Sites on the East and South East coasts which are particularly exposed should he avoided. 3. The restrictions on lighting (including fires) must always he strictly observed. It will be further recognised that facilities for civilian camping must subject to military needs, and that individual be camp sites ordinarily available may be required for military use. If any doubt is felt about a particular site, enquiries may be addressed to the Chief Constable of the concerned, area BOARD OP EDUCATION. The War Office, London, S.W.I• 13th March, 1940. The states War Office that books, periodicals and magazines intended for general -presentation to the British Expeditionary Force still urgently required and are should be sent to The City of London Territorial Army and Air Force Association, Finsbury Barracks, City Road, London, E.C.1., and not to the Military Forwarding Officer at Southampton, or the Army Comforts Depot at Reading, - 13/3/40 No 10 GERMAN PRISONERS The following list of Prisoners was broadcast to Germany to-day. Rank Christian Surname Where Age. Names from Oberleut. (ing.) Hans Scherer Kiel 26 Maschinenmaat Richard Kenz el Breslau 23 Maschinenschlosser Joseph Gustav Eckmuller Numberg Masch.Gefreiter Rudolf Muller Neunkirchen 19 Funkmaat Walter Pietsch Dresden 25 Overbootsmannsmaat Heinrich Mohrmann Ofnerfeld- Oldenburg 26 Maschinengefreiter August Maas Schonberg i/ Mecklenburg 21 Matrosengefreiter Karl Ernst Schoss Wehlau 19 Matrosengefreiter Erich Gluck Halle 20 MILITARY AFFAIRS 13/3/40 No.ll MINISTRY OF HEALTH. ­BOARD OF EDUCATION, MEDICAL EXAMINATION OP CHILDREN REGISTERED FOR EVACUATION. In a circular to local authorities the Minister of (Mr. Walter Elliot) Health and the President of the Board of Education (Lord de la Warr) emphasise that all schoolchildren registered for evacuation in the event of air raids should "be given a thorough medical examination as soon as possible after registration, and provision made for treatment of any condition which would make them unsuitable for billeting on private house­holders. Those children whose condition is not in all respects satisfactory should he kept under regular supervision. If evacuation is another examination should ordered, • he carried out immediately before the children are sent away - either on the day when they travel or on the preceding day. Children in an unfit condition should not he sent. Those who’, while fit to he evacuated, will need special attention in the reception areas should he identified by some distinguishing mark. The circular also suggests that arrangements should he made in all receiving areas for an examination of the children when they arrive. This examination should he either at the detraining station or at some central point in the district. areas and areas are recommended to make contact as soon as possible in order to facilitate these arrangements, Medical officers in evacuating in receiving Registration of schoolchildren for evacuation under the new scheme will close on 30th March. Local authorities are asked to complete the first medical examination within three weeks from that date. MINISTRY OF HEALTH. BOARD OF EDUCATION. EMPIRE AFFAIRS 13.3.40 No 12 COHERE SOUTH AFRICANS MAY SERVE The Defence Act and Military Service Discipline Code of South Africa has been extended by proclamation to men volunteering for service outside the Union, and the necessary administrative arrangements for what may be called a volunteer force, drawn from members of the Union Defence Force, will duly be made* This step has "been taken by the South African Government as for part of the policy of being prepared all emergencies;, but the new attestation process is not to be regarded as an invitation to South Africans to to declare their willingness serve overseas* EMPIRE AFFAIRS - 13/3/40 No 13. SOUTH AFRICA’S TRADE IN 1939. During the twelve months ending December 31? 1938? the British Empire supplied 5304 per cent (£48,154?334) of South Africa’s imports and took 55*8 percent of the Union’s exports. Great Britain was the principal supplier and the best customer, l with 42.1 pa cent and 43.5 per cent of the Union’s imports and exnorts respectively. Prom Canada came 4* 4 per cent of the Union’s imports, of while Southern Rhodesia, while supplying only 0.5 per cent South Africa’s imports, took 5-6 per cent of her exports. .Among foreign suppliers to the Union, the United States easily headed the list. The Union’s bill in the States last year was £17,449?953? representing 19*3 per cent of the total imports. Exports from the Union to the United States amounted, however, only £2,544?884* to The significance of German trade with the Union, which came to a standstill last September, is seen by the fact that up to that month Germany had bought for £2,711,401. EMPIRE AFFAIRS, 13.3.40. -No. 14. FOR AFTER 9.35 P.M. PUBLICATION THIS”"(WEDNESDAY) EVENING. Menu to. Sub-Editors : As this script is "being issued in advance, it is necessary to check the actual Broad- it against cast at 9*20 p, m. to-night (March 13,1940) on 391*1 or 4490 1 metres* LABOUR AND THE NAVY by THE gT. HON. A.V. ALEXANDER, M 0 P. "Thank God .we’ve got a Navy". How often I have heard friends use this expression in jocular spirit when criticising all kinds of policies* Yet how justified these words are when uttered in all sincerity. No class of the community is more appreciative than the working class of the daily devotion to duty, the courage and endur­ ance, the dash and heroism of the officers and men of the Royal Navy and of our merchant and fishing fleets. I noted the other day when I was on the Horse Guards Parade how the volume of cheers rose when it was the turn of men from the lower deck of the cruisers Exeter and Ajax to be invested with their hon-ours by the King, Our thanks are indeed due to them. Without we should be unable their magnificient work for the last six months to carry on. Never in our history have our seamen taken on their shoulders a larger proportion of the burden of a war than in this sea an period. The Royal Navy has been continuously at throughout almost unprecedented winter. Some day the story will be graphically told, in language I can­not command, of the patrol day and night in the Arctic seas between to Greenland, Iceland and Norway* Twenty fifty degrees "below zero, to and bitter cutting gales, everything wet or freezing up the "bridge above. In mountainous seas, or in ice floes and fog, with no more than five or six hours of daylight in twenty-four, they never falter­ ed. And in all the seas the duty has been as faithfully done. Hunting submarines, sweeping for mines, searching for and bringing to battle the surface raiders, convoying British, Allied and neutral merchantmen, threading in submarines the minefield in the Heligoland - but German Bight, and torpedoing not unarmed merchant ships, ­ cruisers. Think of the daily fight of the merchant seamen and fisher- of the men, facing the fourfold dangers torpedo often without warning the magnetic mine, the ruthless bomb and machine gun from the air, and the submerged wreck. Through it all we have maintained our supplies of food and raw materials, the transport of our troops with their equipment, munitions and supplies, and safely carried the reinforcements from Canada, Aus­tralia and New Zealand* Labour salutes its comrades in all our sea forces and services* They are, in great majority, from working-class homes. The way in which they have stuck to their daily duty in face of danger, no less than the thrills they have given us like the the the defeat of Graf Spee, gallant fight of the Rawalpindi,and the rescue of our seamen from the German prison ship Altmark, have proved this generation to be equal to any in the annals of British history at sea, 096*..«>...... Once/ Once again it has been demonstrated, to quote famous phrase, "The a Navy is us.". Nor are reinforcements lacking. The Royal Navy has- lost 3,000 men, and hundreds of our merchant seamen and fishermen have made the great sacrifice. Yet in face of all the current dangers at sea, my postbag every day brings evidence of new volunteers for yur Naval services. Labour welcomes the announcement that the Admiralty will grant more promotions to commissioned rank from the lower deck, hut we desire’ to see this even more widespread and permanent. Since the last war, the growth of the menace of air attack and of new forms of defence and attack on land, led some people to put sea in a lesser place in their calculations. I do not power under-estimate the power of these new weapons, but in recent years the decisive character of sea power is again being realised. For example, if China had had an effective sea force how different would have been the story of her great struggle against Japan. The loss of fee a power by the Republicans in Spain opened the way for Franco* s victory. For us, sea power is simply vital. Germany indicates clearly by her actions her belief that her quickest way to victory is to break the power of Britain at sea. That is why not to break humane standards, or to sink any ship of any nationality to achieve the Nazis do scruple any law, or to transgress any their purpose. Labour therefore recognises that full support of the Royal Navy is essential if we are to win the fight against ruthless aggression and foul persecution, and so attain our objective of bringing to an end the continuous threat to peace. is why we have been pressing for the rapid completion of the arming of our merchant and fishing fleets, and especially we r ve been pressing for an urgent drive to secure the replacement of merchant shipping tonnage. On these questions, policy at home is of the utmost true ever importance. It is as today as it was that policy must coincide with strategy if we are to be victorious. It would have been well if this had been borne in mind during the last few years. But this is not the time for an inguest but for all our energies to be bent to the achievement of victory. Up to the present we see on the Western Front the fulfilment of the prophecies of military experts of comparative stalemate, Thors two great forces face each other over a v/ide continuous front in an heavily fortified positions of unprecedented strength. These defences are vital, but remember that whilst the allied armies can defend what keep and they are supplied with, they cannot at the earns time produce what they need. They can only fulfil their task with the moral, material and physical resources their countries provide for them. T}ae clearest, expression of this was perhaps given by General Ludendorff, who pointed out in his War Memories that the last war was different from in the manner all others, in which populations supported, and reinforced their armed forces, with all the resources at their disposal. "The fighting efficiencjr of the forces," said this German General, "depended absolutely on that of at the people home."/ 3 If that was so in 191.4-18, it is more so for in addition today, to of munitions and Army.requirements food, equipment, not only on the Western Front but in other dispositions, the nation now has to supply material and equipment for an Air Force of vast proportions, constantly in gallant action, and which must expect repeated of wastage planes requiring replacement. How can these be provided unless the food and raw materials are kept in adequate supply to the whole industrial population, giving the physical strength and resources without which we could not keep up efficient support of the Army and the Air Force. This food and raw material must in large part come from overseas. The ships which bring them face a campaign by submarine, mine and bomb as unrestricted as in 1917* This leads me to say that what has been achieved to date in checking the menace and securing our supplies could not have been accomplished but for the fact that the product of British labour has stood the test. No better example of this could be named than the way in which the Exeter, built at Devonport, the Ajax, built by Cammell Lairds, and the Achilles, built by Vickers Armstrong, stood up to the punishment from the heavy shells fired by 11-inch The guns gallantry of their crews has become an epic. Their success in such circumstances would nevertheless have been impossible without the and above product of British science design, and all the perfect labour and result of British craftsmanship. Today in our shipyards and dockyards new ships are being built at great speed and in great variety. An even greater expansion is necessary, but the quality of the workmanship in the manufacture of material, in shipbuilding of is of vital construction, and in the production armament, importance. I am satisfied that just as there is no lack of volunteers for the personnel of our Navy and mercantile marine, so too there will be no lack in the spirit of labour in the provision of the ships, the equipment and the armament for those who must maintain the continuous fight at sea against a relentless enemy, and secure the passage of our food and raw materials. I can well understand the thrill many men received, who had helped to "build the "Exeter’’ 1 at Devonport, when they saw her return­ing to the Dockyard in which she had been built, launched and fitted. Their work and their craftsmanship had had their part in enabling the ship to survive one of the heaviest engagements in all our naval history. And so too with the Ajax and Achilles. All our comrades, employed in any way in connection with the construction of these the River Plate. ships had a personal part in the great victory of The miners; the iron and steel workers; the moulders; the furnace men; the millers; the turners and the fitters; the boilermakers; the shipwrights; the riveters; the engineers, and other workers too numerous to mention, had. done their work well. In private yard and in Government dockyard, in contractors’ armament works, and in Government ordnance factories, the results were produced which gave the Navy ships which in their construction, their engines and speed, their armour their gun mountings, and to Nor should I overlook the work of confidence their crews. instrument makers. gave the draughtsmen, pattern makers, or /I 4 I have talked many, many times to men engaged in our shipbuilding, engineering and armaments industries, I know their skill and capacity. They have had some difficult times, hard to bear, trials enough to make for resentment and bitterness, but I have found nothing to equal their rride in turning out the best material in the world, and there is rarely absent from thein minds a recognition of the fact that the standard of their work of the is the best guarantee highest measure of protection possible to our own kith and kin who down to the sea in ships on our go behalf. I am glad to learn that Mr. Churchill has invited the help and advice of the representatives of the organised workers in the task of before We all in the great shipbuilding now uso are from a struggle to defeat aggression and persecution emanating country where trade union and cooperative effort has been destroyed, lower standards exist, concentration camps flourish, where it is a mortal crime to agitate for reform or to listen even to the wireless. We fight for the right to be free to agree or disagree, a right which would disappear with the victory of the dictator.-And so labour is behind the Fleet and the merchant and fishing fleets* If it is given its full opportunity and trusted as it should be trusted, it will construct the engines of victory, BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATIONo 13.3.40/No.15. P.N.1625. PRESS NOTICE. Language admissible in international telegrams and telephone conversations. The Postmaster Genera.! announces that Italian and Portuguese have now been added to the list of languages authorised for use in telegrams exchanged with places languages may be used abroad. These in messages to Italian and Portuguese speaking countries respectively as well as to a number of other places. Particulars are obtainable at the principal Post Offices. The use of the Italian language, in addition to English and French, is now permitted in the telephone service with Italy. Bookings of calls are submitted to the Censors, who decide in each case whether the call shall be allowed. GENERAL POST OFFICE. 13th March, 1940. - 13/3/40. No.16. MINES DEPARTMENT -ANNOUNCEMENT. Thousands of motorists who have not yet licensed their cars this year or renewed current quarterly licenses have applied to divisional petroleum officers for supplementary petrol allov/ances for the months of April and May. Such allowances cannot be granted until the vehicle is properly licensed either up to the end of June or the end of the years. In their own interests, motorists should carry out the instructions which have 'been given, i.e. license or renew the current quarterly licence of the car or motor-cycle first and then, if necessary, apply to the district divisional petroleum officer on the appropriate form enclosing the registration book. should not he Application for extra petrol made unless it is required for business or other essential purposes„ Lillies DEPARTMENT. - 13/3/40 No 17 MINISTRY OF FOOD ANNOUNCEMENT. Emergency Ration Cards for Easter Holidays. Those who intend to go away for a holiday at Easter, and to do their own shopping while away, should apply to the Pood Office in their own home district for Emergency Ration Cards. Application whould be made during the week commencing March 18th, and applicants must bring with them their ration books with any pages of coupons which may have been deposited with retailers. If the for the week coupons beginning March 18th are intact, these coupons will be detached at the Pood Office before the card is issued. If, however, any emergency coupons for that week have already been used, corresponding coupons will be removed from the emergency card before issue. If the holiday extends into the next week, a second emergency card removal will be given, if desired, subject to the from the ration book of the coupons for that week. Those who have hooked rooms cat an hotel, inn, or any other accommodation that is registered as either a catering establishment or a residential establishment will not need emergency ration cards, but should take their ration books with them do' not know on their holiday. If holiday-makers whether their accommodation has been registered, they should apply for emergency cards as a matter of precaution. They may, however, save themselves trouble if they ask for details of any classification when booking rooms. Although emergency cards may he obtained at the Pood Office of the the place where holidays will be spent, holiday­makers will find it quicker and more convenient to apply to their local Pood Office. It would also be advisable, in order to avoid a last minute rush, if all applications were made as early as possible in the week. As to already announced, arrangements have been made ensure adequate supnlies of rationed foods-at resorts during the holiday period. - 13/3/40 No 18. The British tanker "CHARLES F. MEYER'S 10* 516 tons, Captsrjn Alfred Cook, was damaged by an explosion on March 4th. Reports that ship ’was the abandoned are entirely without foundation. On the contrary, in spite of the severe damage, the captain and crew remained on board working throughout the night to save the ship, which was taken in tow by a British warship almost eight hours after the explosion occurred. The "CHARLES P. MEYER" is no?/ safely in harbour with her cargo intact. NAVAL AFFAIRS. - 13.3.40. No.19. WELSH AREA BOARD. The Ministry of Supply announces that nominations for membership of the Welsh Area Board are now complete. The members nominated are:­Engineering Rear Admiral J.H* Hocken, C*B*E., Admiralty; Captain Geoffrey Crawshay, Air Ministry; Mr. R. J. Humphreys, 0. B* E* , Ministry of Labour and National Service; Mr. W. J*James, Ministry of Supply. The Secretary of the Board, Mr* D* H* Morgan, F. C.A. will , take up his duties on March 18th* The Area Advisory Committee is in process of formation. MINISTRY OF SUPPLY. - 13/3/40 No.20. AIR MINISTRY BULLETIN, (Not to be quoted as an. Air Ministry annomicenientf. HOW A U-BOAT WAS SUNK The captain of the British bomber which successfully attacked a German submarine at the mouth of the Schillig Roads on Monday afternoon today (Wednesday) described the exploit. One of the bombs which were dropped hit the vessel just ahead of the conning-tower, and his second bomb is also believed to have registered a hit. None of the crew has any doubt that the vessel was destroyed. They saw the bow and the stern of the submarine protruding from the water as though it had been split in two. "We were on reconnaissance over the Heligoland Bight 11 says the captain, "and when the submarine was seen it was moving- on the surface at about two or three knots and only a few miles from the shore* 11 Both the air gunner and the observer said that could they see a man walking about on the deck. "We had to act quickly or the submarine might have crash-dived and got away. When near the vessel we dropped our bombs. My first impression was that they had fallen short, but the corporal air gunner, the only member of the crew who could see, shouted excitedly through the intercommunication set *A direct hit, sir* 1 ’‘Putting the aircraft into a sharp turn I brought it round in time to be able to see the stern and bow sticking up out of the water. The submarine must have been split in two,” The corporal air gunner said: "I was looking down on the submarine as we were passing over it. After wo had dropped our bombs I saw two parts of the vessel sticking out above the water* All I could see in between was a white patch of disturbed water* Then oil began to spread over the surface of the sea. Finally, first one part and then the other The disappeared as though they had gone down separately, crew managed to get photographs. One was taken while the bombs were and was actually in the air, another photographtaken after the submarine had sunk and shows" the disturbed water* 1 ’ AIR AFFAIRS. NOTE. TIE TWO OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHS ARE AVAILABLE FROM 8.1.P.P.A*, 89, Fleet Street, S C,I). S - 13.3.40. No.21. PRESS NOTICE. The Ministry of Information issues the following statement relating to the work of the Artists1 Advisory Committee, which was appointed in November last under the Chairmanship of Sir Kenneth Clark, K. C» B® It will be remembered that the Committee’s terms of reference were:­ "To draw up a list of artists qualified to record the war home and at abroad; in co-operation with the Service Departments, to advise and other Government Departments, as may he desirable, on the selection of artists from this list and on the arrangements for* their employment; and to advise on such questions as copyright, disposal and exhibition of works and the publication of reproduc­tions* " The members of the Committee, in addition to the Chairman, are as follows;-' Sir Walter Russell, C® V® 0* , R. A® Sir Muirhead Bone, L® L® D* , DoLitt® Mr® P. Ho Jowett, R»W. S* The Admiralty, War Office, Air Ministry, Ministry of Home Security, Ministry of Supply and Ministry of Information aire also represented on the Committee o In order that no time should "be lost in making the necessary arrangements for artists to get to work, the Committee made a few recommendations very soon after they started their activities* It was felt, however, that out of fairness to all those artists who had applied for employment and whose claims it would necessarily take some time to review, further recommendations should he post­ poned until the Committee had an opportunity to consider the claims of all those who had applied to them, as well as the claims of other artists who had not made any application, hut who, hy reason of their standing in the profession, clearly deserved to he con­sidered* The following list shows all the artists so far commissioned on the recommendation, or with the of the Committee® concurrence, It will "be noted that the official employment of artists is under and two heads, namely, a limited number of salaried appointments the less restricted employment of artiste on special commission. I® Salaried Posts® Admiralty« Sir Muirhead Bone, L* L Do DoLitt. Tempy,Hon« Major Royal Marines* a ,, War Office® Mr® E* Ardizzone Mr® Edward Bawderu Mr® R. G® Eves, R* A® Mr. Barnett Freedman® 2 Air Ministry Mr. Keith Henderson, R.W.S, Mr. Paul Nash 110 Work to be executed on Commission Admiralty Mr. John Nash ? A.R.A., Ternpy. Hon, Captain Royal Marines Eric Mr. Ravilious, Ternpy. Hon. Captain Royal Marines. War Office Mr. Anthony Gross General Mr. Francis Dodd, R,A. (armament and munition manufacture) Mr. Hubert Freeth (a portrait) Mr. A.S. Hartrick (land work) Mr. Eric Kennington (portraits) Mr. Henry Lamb (portraits) Mr. Raymond McGrath (aircraft manufacture) Mr. Robert Medley (A R OP, subjects) t Mr. H.V. Pitchforth (A.R.P. subjects) Mr. William Roberts (portraits) Mr. Henry Rushbury, R.A. (armament and munition manufacture) The Committee have also recommended the purchase of works Cundall produced independently by Mr, Charles (a sketch of the arrival of Exeter), Mr, Anthony Gross (two pictures of London during wartime), Mr, H.V. Pitchforth (two pictures of steel workers) and Sir William Rothenstein (seven portraits of R.A.F. personalities). They have recommended the acceptance as a gift from the artist of a further portrait by Sir William Rothenstein. Artists recommended for salaried posts will not necessarily hold them for the duration of the war. Fresh artists may thus be appointed from time to time. The Committee have in mind that some of the best pictures of the last war were painted by those who had served in the Armed Forces, and they are anxious that the way should be open for artists serving in the Navy, Army and Air Force war to be available later on for employment in the present as official artists. The Committee are endeavouring to secure equality of treat­ment in the 'matter of fees between artists who are working in the National cause, and they are happy to find that established to artists, who normally command high fees, are ready accept lower fees for work they will undertake on their behalf than they would normally expect to receive from private patrons. By so doing, not only have they made a personal contribution to the national cause, but have also made it possible for more to be available to commission works from less well-known, money but not less deserving, artists. MINISTRY OF INFORMATION. No 22 13.3.40 FRENCH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE (Evening) Paris, Wednesday, 13th March, 1940. The following official communique was issued this evening "by the French G-.H.Qs A calm day on the whole of the front. Weekly No. 10. NOT TO BE PUBLISHED BEFORE THE MORNING NEWSPAPERS OF FRIDAY, 15th MARCH, 1940. AIR MINISTRY WEEKLY NEWS LETTER. Note: The information contained In this News Letter may be used by the Press without acknowledgement. If it desired to is refer to the Air Ministry as the source of tile information, the expression "The Air Ministry announces:-" is NOT to be used. CONTENTS. PER ARLUA AD ASTRA J PROGRESS OF THE AIR WAR« VETTING A SUNDERI-AND* CHAMPIONS TEACH R,A.F. TABLE TENNIS*. TRAINING AIR FORCE GUNNERS, JIMMY HOGAN VISITS B.A.F* THE RIGHT JOB AT LAST« TWO ON THE wHOUSE» C-IN-C f3„ FLYING INSPECTION* - FIGHTER.AIRCRAFT. ALLIED v ENEMY# Press and Publicity Branch, Air Ministry, King Charles Street, Whitehall, S*W.l* 15th March, 1940. 2 PER ARDUA AD ASTRA* The proud motto of the Royal Air Force, Per Ardua ad Astra, was not achieved without a good deal of the '‘difficulties” and "labour” which it glorifies* One of the most valued records in the archives of the Air Ministry is an old official file bearing the title “R*F* - Corps Motto for, Suggested* 1* It tells the story of a battle royal fought out between the Departmental chiefs who controlled the Royal Plying Corps nearly thirty years ago* The trouble was over the meaning attaching to the Words "Per Ardua”. Some said they meant ’By Labour (or diffi­culties)’* Others held that it meant ’’Through the High Places (of Heaven)”* It was even said that the words had no proper meaning, used in this way* In strictly official language the protagonists argued their several views, supporting them by quotations from Virgil and by ’second opinions’ from eminent latin scholars* Some, whilst politely refraining from calling into question their opponents’ knowledge of latin, offered their own scholas­tic credentials for inspection with modest pride* ’Per Ardua ad Astra’ Was originally suggested by Brig*-General Henderson, chairman of the R*F*C* Committee* The big gun behind him Was the president, Captain (afterwards General) William Befton Brancker, who became Air Vice-Marshal 3 and Director of Civil Aviation, and died in the wreck of the airship R.lOl, The rival camp was headed by Lieut-General Sir John Cowan, then Quartermaster-General* They proposed "Altiora Petamus" (Let us seek higher things) as an alternative motto for the flying Service. Without taking sides the Admiralty "saw no objection" to Per Ardua* Finally the controversy was settled by the then Secretary of State, Colonel Seely (now Lord Mottistone)* He gave a judgement of Solomon, MWhile disagreeing, with great t ,,% respect, with the interpretation of Ardua he wrote, ”1 think *Per Ardua ad Astra* is preferable*1 * Royal assent was obtained* And so was born what has been described as the most device under which ever appropriate any Corps in history has fought;*-*By Labour to the Stars 1 * PROGRESS OP THE AIR WAR, The key to the air situation is contained in Sir Kingsley Wood*s speech in the House of Commons on the Air Estimates:­"ourefforts must be continued, and intensified, until we have achieved our fixed resolve the establishment - of mastery in the air." How far Britain has already advanced in that direction 4 may be appreciated from the fact that the Royal Air Force has already carried out over L,OOO day and night flights over Germany; the number of personnel in one Royal Air Force Command alone has now reached 100,000 and there are six - more Commands at Home, besides a number overseas; and lastly that the production of aircraft for Britain and France now exceeds in quantity, as well as in quality, the aircraft production of the enemy*. Besides this, far-reaching plans for the training of air crews and the increased manufacture of aircraft are now maturing# When these are in full operation the output of men and machines will far exceed anything which is within the enemy f s capacity* An analysis of the record of German air raids shows that the proportion of losses inflicted on the enemy continues to rise* In part this may be put down to the seasonal change in weather conditions# Cloud and poor visibility saved a ftumbor of the fast* high flyihg German airoraft during the early part of the winter* But improved methods of attach used by British fighter aircraft are beginning tell* to Some 40 enemy aircraft have been shot down during the first six months of the war and about seventeen more so severely damaged as to be probable losses# 5 Not one British fighter was lost in these air actions. About fifty major flights have now been carried out by Royal Air Force units* Many of these were to objectives hundreds of miles inside the Reich, e*g., the Ruhr, Western "ermany, Berlin, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Mannheim, Nuremberg, Bremen and Austria, Bohemia, Hanover, the Baltic. At least fifteen German fighter aircraft were destroyed by the British bombers in two of their flights. But in most oases the Royal Air Force aircraft were not intercepted, and the objectives were invariably reached. 'VETTING A SUNDERLAND FLYING BOAT'. Every Sunderland flying boat of the R.A.F* Coastal Command gets a complete overhaul after each period of 180 hours in the air. And there are minor overhauls at intervals of 30 hours flying. Bach inspection is carried out with the characteristic R.A.F. thoroughness which enables Coastal Command aircraft to iagister a million miles of flying every month, in all weathers# Here is a picture of one of these twenty-ton, four- motor air cruisers undergoing her periodic inspection. Men in waterproof suits are up to their necks in the water, making fast ropes and wires to hold the flying boat* c* They will have a tot of rum on leaving the water and be glad of its help in keeping out the cold. "Legs" nearly twice as high as a man are attached to the flying boat* They form the beaching chassis on which she stands when she has been towed on to the cradle and manoeuvred into the hangar. There, a maintenance partly dismembers the craft. Airscrews, tail plane, rudder, and ailerons are removed; her gun turrets stand in a corner* She is an empty shell the - centre of a scene of orderly litter. The great hull half as long again as a cricket - - pitch is inspected. Any corrosion or marine growths are Scraped off* a rule, weeds and barnacles do not foul flying-boats in home waters; but abroad they can slow a boat down so much that she may not be able to leave the water at all* Inspection patches are torn off in various places along the main planes in a Careful search for corrosion which might weaken the structure* Affected parts are scraped and, if the damage is only slight, re-painted* Worn parts in the engines are renewed, loose rivets are replaced. Every item of equipment is checked, parachutes are repacked. Collapsible dinghies are tested; emergency rations changed and medical kits looked over. The whole inspection is in accordance with a schedule so carefully worked out that 7 nothing can be overlooked* At last the Sunderland goes down to the water again* and two hours later her own crew have her ready for patrol* A dinghy tows away the legs and tail-trolley on which she has stood, A refuelling launch passes hoses aboard; a bomb scow or dinghy feels its way beneath the wings to give the Sunderland her "teeth”, Fitters, riggers, instrument repairers, electricians, wireless mechanics, armourers, have all tended her for days* The safety of the pilot and his crew depends on the care with which the ground staff have done their dob* But no Sunderland has yet been lost through mechanical failure* That is the best tribute to the mechanics of the Royal Air Force who keep the Sounderlands in flying trim* TABLE-TENNIS CHAMPIONS THEIR STROKES* SHEW Table-Tennis champions are helping to entertain the troops* At an R*A,F* station recently, a series of exhibition matches was played by Richard Bergmann, the world champion* A# Liebster * L* Boros, who has frequently played for Hungary* and Miss* D„ Beregi? the red-haired Polish player* who won the English title two or three years ago* They found there an old friend Eric Eilby, the - English lawn-tennis and table-tennis international Who is now * 8 serving in the Royal Air Force. Needless to say, Filbyf s arrival at this R.A.F. station has given a tremendous fillip to table-tennis among the airmen. Practically every R.A.F. station in the country has ample accommodation and excellent facilities for playing the game under the best conditions# NEW METHOD OF TRAINING AIR FORCE GUNNERS. Air Gunners training at some Royal Air Force Stations have found a new use for clay pigeon shooting and a new way - of doing' it# They use an ordinary 12-bore shot gun} but it is mounted in such a Way as to reproduce the conditions of firing a gtlii from an aircraft* The clay pigeons, released from the trap from different angles, give a variety of oncoming and deflection Shots* The idea is to train the gunner*s eye and quickness of aim before he goes on to more serious practice with machine guns in the air* u With the ,fclays travelling at different speeds and angles, it is no easy task to bring them down# But those Air Force "A.G.s” can do it# 9 JIMMY HOGAN TO TALK TO R.A.F, IN FRANCE. Jimmy Hogan, manager of Asten Villa, has just left for another trip to the Continent. This time he has not gone - to train an international football side he has coached the teams of seven different European countries for their matches - but to talk on the game to the men of the R#A.F* in France, lie is one of the star turns booked by ENSA for a series of lectures to tho troops# A#F# Tschiffely# the famous horseman# is among them# Though R*A*F,teams include several well known players# the general standard of play should improve materially from hints picked up from Jimmy Hogan# Apart from his lectures# he i-S to give practical demonstrations on the field# Everybody who knows anything about football knows that Mr* Hogan is oho of the cleverest of coaches* ills oornihg visit is already the talk of billets and messes* He Will get a welcome not only from players# but from tho thousands of follower® of the game now serving with the R#A*F# in Prance. THE RIGHT JOB AT LAST# The recorded of Dominion members of the B#A.F show an extremely wide variety Of t callings# Those followed by one A#C#2 now tinder training at an initial training' wing sail probably not be beaten for range and number# 10 He left school at Brantford, Ontario, at the age of 18, and became in turn:­House painter at Detroit* Tight rope walker in a circus* Goal miner* Lorry driver in an orange grove in the Rio Grande Valleyt Texas* From Texas he hitch*-hiked and "rode the rods" to Ontario 2*Boo miles* From Montreal he worked his passage ~ in a cattle boat to Glasgow and made London in two free lorry rides* He became assistant in a ladies 1 shoe shop, but this only lasted three days* He joined a silk firm at Newcastle, and was there when the war broke out, but left for the R*A.F# recruiting office* He has at last found a job after his own heart* TWO ON THE "HOUSE". An R#A*F* officer billeted in a French village is regretting the generosity which made him give his batman two bottles of very old (pre-the-last-Y/ar, in fact) Sc-otcn whisky# Grateful for the kindness shewn him by the elderly Widow with whom he is billeted, the officer gave her a small present on her birthday Not to he outdone, she went down to a the cellar and returned with two very grimy bottles which she 11. pressed into his arms. Thinking his batman would be more likely to apprec­iate some vin ordinaire, as he supposed it to be, the officer passed on the bottles. Having cleaned them up, the batman produced the empties next day and eaph bottle had a well-known label. The widow explained. In 1915 the same billet was occupied by a major of the Old Gontemptibles. Leaving in a hurry, he had given his private store to the patron long - since dead. The widow had forgotten those two bottles for years* In the meantime, the batman and his friend had drunk the health of the major whoever he was in the oldest Whisky they are likely to taste* ever C.-IN-C's. FLYING INSPECTION. Air Marshal A. S. Barratt* the Goramander~in~Chief of the R*A.P, in Prance has been carrying out a number of inspec­tions of his new command by air. He has met all his senior officers* visited each of the aerodromes and made a point of feeing for himself how his men are billeted. Air Marshal Barratt r s military training and soldier f s ©ye for detail were in evidence during his visit to one billet* He lifted a rifle from the wall* and examined it like an expert 12 to see that it was clean and in good order. His personal pilot is Captain wTich'* Holmes, a well known commercial airman who has specialised in Press work during peace-time» STANDARD SINGLE SEAT FIGHTER AIRCRAFT. ALLIED V, ENEMY, In broadcasts to neutral countries the Germans continue 11 ,f to boost their Me, 109 fighter as the world’s fastest’J and a German masterpiece ,! In fact it is well outclassed in speed# # armament# and power of manoeuvre by comparable standard single­soat fighters of the Allies which have been in service for some time# Despite its mediocre performance the German Me. 109 has a bigger motor than either the British Spitfire or French Curtiss Hawk#* The Spitfire gets its superior speed largely through superlative streamlining* The great asset of the com­paratively low-powered Hawk is its easy handling. Both the Allied fighters have a greater wing span* but shorter fuselage, than the German type. The following table illustrates some points of differ­ence between the three types# The speed for the Me,109 is the maximum claimed by the Germans, The figures illustrate the Hawk 75A is of U.S,A, design; large numbers have been supplied to the French Air Force, and this type has proved very successful against the Me#lo9« 13 point made by Sir Kingsley Wood when he said he would rather have a hundred British fighters than a much larger number of their German counterparts. It is also noteworthy that whilst many German Me. 109 fighters have been shot down in combat with British bombers, not a single British fighter has been lost in the fights in which they destroyed over 40 German bombers. British Spitfire ll* German Me*lo9* French Curtiss-Hawlc 75A. 1050 Engine h*p* 1150 h.p* 900 h.p, R#R# Merlin. D*8,601, P* & W«Wasp, Wing Span 36 ft 32 ft. 6 ins« 37 ft, 3 ins, 10 ins. Length 29 ft* llins, 32 ft, 28 ft. 9 ins. Mhx*Speed 367 m,p*h* 354 m,p*h. 303 m,p*h. Armament 8 machine 4 machine 6 guns machine guns, guns* (rate or guns of fire 2 and 1-200 rounds a minute g cannons, each gun).