-
21/3/40 No. 1. 
OFFICIAL ADMIRALTY COMMUNIQUE 
Further information is now available concerning 
the two neutral vessels reported damaged in the earlier 
Admiralty communique. 
The Norwegian ship SVINTA (1267 tons) is now reported to be abandoned, the crew having been picked up by another Norwegian vessel* 
The other ship was the Swedish UTKLIPPAM (1599 tons) which was hit hy one incendiary bomb. 
An additional report has now been received that 
the Norwegian TORA ELISE (721 tons) was also damaged, but no details are available* 
One Heinkel was damaged "by anti-aircraft fine from the escorting warships, and several others were hit during the attack by the two Fleet Air Arm Aircraft, 
-
21/3/40 No 2. 
FRENCH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE 
(MORNING) 
The 
following communique was issued this morning by the French G.H.Q. 
NOTHING-TO REPORT. 
-
21/3/40 No.3* 
OLD AGE PENSIONS TOR WOMEN OP 60. 
More than 300,000 women are expected to qualify at once for old age pensions when the Old Age and Widows’ Pensions Act, which is to receive the Royal Assent to-day (Thursday), 
comes into operation on Ist July, The at which old
age agepensions are payable to women under the Contributory Scheme will then be lowered from 65 to 60. 
The immediate effect will he almost to double the 
number of women who are drawing contributory old age pensions 
At women between the of and
present 326,000 ages 65 70 are 
in receipt of pensions either because of their own insurance 
or as the wives of insured men. It is estimated that under 
the new Act about 310,000 more women who will be between 60 and 65 on Ist July will become qualified for an old age pension on that day. This number consists of 150,000 women who are 
themselves insured under the Contributory Pensions Acts, and 
160,000 married women whose husbands are qualified for their 
old age pensions on Ist July, 
The first payment of pensions under the new Act will be due in the first week of July, but claims should be made 
as make
as soon possible• Delay in applying may it impossible to start paying the pension promptly 
forms and
Application explanatory leaflets will be available at Post Offices on Saturday. Women who after 
leaflet think be able to
reading the they may qualify for one 
the form and forward it
of these pensions should complete as 
soon as possible in the special envelope provided. It will be necessary for ail applicants to prove that they have reached the age of 60„ Married women whose claims are based on their 
husband’s insurance will also have to furnish proof of marriage But the submission of a claim should not be delayed while certificates of birth and marriage are being obtained. 
The new Act also provides for the payment through 
the Assistance Board of supplementary pensions to old age pensioners, and widow pensioners who have reached the age of 60 who are able to show that they are in need of further
? 
assistance. These arrangements will come into operation on 3rd August. Pull instructions on the way in which claims for supplementary pensions should be made will be issued in due 
course* 
The /let applies to the whole of Great Britain. 
MINISTRY OP HEALTH 
the
The Royal Assent to Bill is expected 
to he given about noon. 
-
21/3/40 No. 4q 
The following is issued by Naval Affairs to the Press for such use as they wish to make of it« 
AIR POWER AT SEA. 
All the experience so far gained in the present war goes to show that predictions that air power would prove the decisive factor at sea were influenced more by enthusiasm than 
by prophetic ability
0 
In more than six mohths of war the achievements of the 
German Air Force against both Y/arships and merchant ships must 
have been most disappointing to the enemy0 In these six months warships have been attacked both at sea and in their bases, large convoys of merchant ships have been attacked, as have also a great many fishing vessels and merchant . vessels 
proceeding independently, Even lightships and lightship tenders have been attacked,, Yet the results achieved by the enemy have been surprisingly small. 
Consider, in the first place, the German air attacks on British warships* These have been remarkable for the fantastic claims put of which has
one
forward by Germany, every 
have been foundation* Shorn of the imaginative claims of the German Propaganda Ministry, the total damage inflicted upon British warships by air attack,is as follows 
bomb 
subsequently been proved to entirely without 
a
Ho M* Sc MOHAWK a destroyer, damaged by splinters from 
which fell in the water close alongside during the raid on the Firth of Forth on October 16th, 19390 
ONE caused by a
CRUISER Very slight superficial damage bomb which hit, but which glanced off without explodingo This was in the same raid* H« Mo a IRON DUKE A one-time "battleship, demilitarised in 1930 and now used an accommodation ship,
as 
fell close alongside
damaged by a bomb which in the raid on Scapa Plow, 01& October 19th, 1939* 
2 
a bomb hit
ONE WARSHIP* ¦ Slightly damaged by (Not capital
a 
ship) during the raid on Scapa Flow' on March 16th, 1940. All German air attacks on warships at sea have proved abortive. There have also been several German air attacks 
convoys of merchant vessels escorted by warships. Here
upon enwmy
the has met with little more success. A few merchant 
ships in convoy have received damage at the hands of the 
to the time of not
German airmen, but, up writing, a single merchant ship in convoy has been sunk by air attack. Nor has 
any oonvoy escort warship suffered damage from air attack. The only form of attack which has yielded the slightest 
success to the German Air Force has been the attack on 
defenceless merchant ships sailing independently* fishing and
vessels, lightships and lightship tenders. It has, in fact, been most noticeable that ther German airmen to avoid
appear attacking targets capable of self.-defence prefer to
and seek 
their prey among craft incapable of hitting back, Even so, the losses of ships due to air attack has been exceedingly small in proportion to the effort expended by the enemy. The losses 
caused by air attacks have been made entirely of fishing
up vessels, and small defenceless -coasting vessels steaming 
unescorted. The murderous attacks delivered by German aircraft 
have led to 
the majority of ships and fishing vessels being equipped with defensive anti-aircraft armament. This has had the immediate effect of reducing the proportion of even partially successful attacks by German aircraft, which have shown a marked tendency to break off the attack and make good their 
escape as soon as retaliatory fire is opened. 
21.3.40./No. 5* 
P.N. 1628. 
PRESS NOTICE. 
As a result of the discussions held between the Postmaster General and the French Minister of Transmissions, general agreement has been reached in regard to the issue of a joint Franco-British stamp. It is hoped that the issue may be made in the autumn. 
Furthermore, the Postmaster General and the French Minister of Transmissions discussed a number of other questions relating to the co-ordination and improvement of overseas mail services. 
GENERAL POST OFFICE. 21st March, 1940. 
2lst March, 1940. 
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE ANNOUNCEMENT 
AGRICULTURAL /ORKERS' MINIMUM RATES OF '.'/AGES. 
of the
A Meeting Agricultural Wages Board was held at King’s Buildings, Smith Square, London, S.W.l, on March,20th, 1940, 
the Rt. Hon. the Viscount Ullswater, G.C.B. presiding. 
The Board considered notifications from Agricultural Wages Committees of decisions fixing minimum and overtime rates of wages and directions in regard to holidays and holiday remuneratio* and proceeded to make the following Orders 
-
Berkshire. An Order cancelling the existing minimum 
and overtime rates of wages and the directions in regard to 
holidays with pay and holiday remuneration* and fixing minimum rates and making directions in substitution therefor* such rates 
and directions to come into ojjeration on 31st March, 1940, the 
rates to continue in operation until 1st December, 1940 and the 
directions until further notice. The minimum rates in the case 
of male workers of 21 years of age and over are unchanged at 36/­
per week of 41 hours in the weeks in which Good Friday and Whit 
50 hours with overtime at
Monday fall; and in any other week* 
lOd. per hour. The minimum rate for female workers of 18 years 
of age and over is 7d. per hour (instead of 6d. for workers of 19 years of age and over and 5-g-d. per hour for workers of 18 and under 19 years of age) and for workers of 17 and under 18 years of age? 5-g-d. hour (instead of 5d.) for all time worked.
per 
The directions in regard to holidays with pay remain unchanged and provide that upon the completion of 4. 8 or 12 months of employment with the same employer by any date in the 
with the to
period Ist March in any year (commencing year 1940) 
the last day of February in the succeeding year (herinafter 
referred to as the "holiday year") a whole time worker shall be allowed holidays of b 2or 3 days respectively. The holidays are to be allowed at such times within the holiday year as may be agreed between the employers and the worker and provision is 
made as to when they are to be allowed in default of agreement. 
Where a worker is entitled to holidays of 2 or 3 days such holidays are to be allowed on consecutive days
o 
for male
Holidaj/-remuneration is fixed at 6/-per day 
and for
workers of* 21 years of age and over* 4/6d. per day female workers aged 18 years and over. 
-
Cheshire. (1) An Order varying the existing minimum and overtime rates of wages and the directions in regard to remuneration such rates and
holidays with pay and holiday directions as varied to come into operation on 31st March* 1940 
The minimum
and to continue 
in operation until further notice. 
rates in the case of male workers are unchanged such rates being 
in the case of workers aged 21 years and over* 39/-per week of 
54 hours with overtime at 10d» hour.
per 
The minimum rate for female workers of 18 years of age 
and over is 7d. per hour* with payment for overtime (i.e. all employment in excess of 54 hours in any week) at Bd. per hour (instead of 6d. per hour for all time worked). Provision is 
1o 
made 
that female workers engaged for.milking shall receive not less than 7d. (instead of 6d.) per "meal" (i.e. each occasion on which the worker visits her place for the
of employment purposeof milking). 
The directions in regard to holidays with pay remain unchanged and provide that a whole-time male worker who is employed or engaged to be employed by the same employer throughout the period Ist January to 3lst December in any year (commencingwith the year 1939) shall be allowed holidays of 7 days where the 
worker is required to work seven days a week? and 6 days in the case of any other male worker. V/here the employment does not 
extend throughout the period Ist January to 31st December? the worker shall be allowed holidays at the rate of one day for each two consecutive months of employment in the said period. The holidays are to be allowed at such time or times within the above 
period as may be agreed between the employer and the worker and provision is made as to when they are to be allowed in default of such agreement. A worker who is engaged to be employed 
throughout the period Ist January to 3lst December shall? if he so elects? be allowed holidays of three consecutive days in the period Ist April to 30th September. 
Holiday remuneration is at the following minimum daily rates: where the holiday is allowed on a weekday? one-sixth of the weekly minimum rate of wages* and v/here the holiday is allowed on a Sunday? a sum equal to payment for four hours of 
overtime employment. 
(-2) An Order fixing a special differential rate of wages for male workers aged 2|L years and over for overtime 
employment on the Hay and Corn Harvests 1940? such rate being lid. per hour (instead of lOd. as in 1939). 
-
Essex. An Order varying the existing minimum and 
overtime rates of wages and the directions in regard to holidays with and holiday remuneration? such rates and directions as
pay varied to come into operation on 31st March? 1940 and to continue 
in operation until further notice. The minimum rates in the 
case of male workers of 21 years of age and over are 38/­(instead of 36/6d.) per week of 41i hours in the weeks in which Easter Monday and Whit Monday fall and 50 hours in any other week in summer; 31 hours in the week in which Christmas Day and 
Boxing Day fall together? 39-g-hours in the weeks in which 
Christmas Day and Boxing Day fall when those days fall in 
seioarate weeks and 48 hours in any other week in winter? with overtime unchanged at lOd. per hour on weekdays (including Easter Monday? Whit Monday and Boxing Day) and lid. per hour on Sundays and on Christmas Day. The minimum rates in the case 
of female workers of 21 years of age and over are 7-g-d. per hour? at
(instead of 7d. per hour)With overtime unchanged 8-Jd. per hour. 
The directions in regard to holidays with pay remain unchanged (except in regard to the rates for holiday remuneration) and provide that upon the completion of 4? 8 or 12 consecutive 
months of employment with the same employer hy any date in the period 28th January in any year (commencing with the year 194-0) to the 27th January in the succeeding year (hereinafter referred to as the "holiday year") a whole time worker shall he allowed holidays 
2 3 A male worker who to
of 1, or days respectively. is required work on Sundays shall? on completion of 12 months’ employment hy 
any date in the holiday year? be allowed a holiday on a Sunday in 
2* 
addition to the holidays stated above. The holidays are to bo allowed at such times within the holiday year as may be agreed 
that if the worker
between the employer and worker provided so 
elects, holidays earned by the Ist March in any year shall b$ 
allowed in the period Ist March, to 31st October in that year. 
Provision is made as to when holidays are to be allowed in default 
of agreement. 
Holiday remuneration is fixed at daily rates and in 
the case of male and female workers aged 21 years or over is as 
follows: 6/4d, (instead of 6/ld*) in the case of all male workers when the holiday is on a weekday and, when the holiday 
is on a Sunday 5/-for Cowmen, Stockmen and Shepherds 2/6d.
and 
for all other male workers: the rate for female workers is 5/­
(instead of 4/Bd,). 
-
Gloucestershire. An Order cancelling the existing minimum and overtime rates of wages for male workers and 
minimum rates of wages for female workers and the directions in regard to holidays with pay and holiday remuneration for male 
and female workers and fixing minimum rates and making directions 
in substitution therefor, such rates and directions to come into 
operation on 24th March, 194-0, and to continue in force until 
21st September, 1940, The minimum rates in the case of male 
workers of 21 years of age and over are as follows: Head Carters. 42/6 (instead of 40/6) per week of 51 hours in the week in ’which Whit Monday falls and 58 hours in any other week. Head Shepherds and Head Stockmen: 44/-(instead of 42/-) per week of 52-g-hours in the week in which Whit Monday falls and 60 hours in any other week* Under Carters: 40/0 (instead of 38/-) per week of 48 hours in the week in which falls and
Whit Monday 54 hours in any other week. Under Shepherds and Under Stockmen; 42/-(instead of 40/-) per week of 50/ hours in the week in which 
Whit Monday falls and 57 hours in any other week. Other Male 
Workers: 36/-(instead of 35/-) per week of 41 hours in the week 
in which Whit Monday falls and 50 hours in any other week. The 
overtime rates in the case of all male workers of 21 years of 
age and over are lOd. per hour on weekdays and l/~ per hour on 
Sundays, and Whit Monday (instead of 9d. per hour and lid. per hour respectively). In the case of female workers of 18 years 
of age and over the minimum rate for all time worked is 7d, per 
hour (instead of 6d* per hour). 
The directions in regard to holidays with pay remain unchanged and provide that upon the expiration of three, six, nine or twelve consecutive months of employment with the same 
employer 'by any date within the period 24th September, 1939 to 
21st September, 1940 a worker shall be allowed holidays of 
one, 
two, three or four days respectively. The holidays are to be 
allowed at such time or times within the period 24-th September, 
1939 to 21st September, 1940, as may be agreed between the 
employer and the worker and provision is made as to when they 
are to be allowed in default of 
agreement. 
Holiday remuneration is fixed at the following daily 
rates: in the case of male workers one sixth (to the nearest 
penny) of the weekly minimum rate of wages and in the case of female workers eight times the minimum hourly rate applicable to 
the worker. 
-
Norfolk, An Order varying the existing minimum and 
overtime rates of wages and the directions in regard to holidays 
with pay su«h rates and directions as varied to come into 
and to
operation on 31st March 1940, continue in operation until 
further notice. The minimum ratds in the case of male workers of 21 years of age and are 38/“ (instead of 36/6) per week
over 
of 42 hours in the weeks and
in which Good Friday, Whit Monday August Holiday fall and in any
Bank 50 hours other week in 
3. 
summer; 40 hours in the week in which Christmas Day falls, and 48 hours in any other week in winter, with, in addition, in 
the case employed as cowmen 7/6d» per week (instead
of workers 
of 6/6d. per week), in the case of teamsmen and shepherds S/6d* per week (instead of 5/6d. per week), and. in the of sheep-
case 
tenders and "bullock-tenders 5/sd. per week (instead of 4/6d. per week) in lieu of overtime in respect of work in connection with animals other than such work on Good Friday, Whit Monday, 
August Bank Holiday and Christmas Day. in respect of which an 
additional sum of 6/-(instead of 5/-) is payable, except where 
a day’s holiday on full pay is given in the weeks in which those 
holidays fall, or in the weeks immediately following. The overtime rates the case of all male workers of 21 years of 
age and over areyn 10/d. per hour on weekdays and l/-/d. per hour 
on Sundays, (instead of 9/d. and. I'l/d. respectively). The minimum rates in the case of female workers of 18 of
years age and over are unchanged at 7d* per hour with overtime at 7d, per 
hour on weekdays and Bd, per hour on Sundays. 
The directions remain
in regard to holidays with pay unchanged (except in regard to the rates for holiday remuneration) 
and provide that where hy any date after 30th April, 1939, a whole time worker completes not less than four consecutive months’ employment with the same employer, the worker shall he 
allowed for each complete 12 consecutive months of employment 
with the 
same employer performed after 30 th April,l93B holidays 
of 4 days in the case or cowmen, teamsmen, shepherds, sheep-
tenders and "bullock-tenders and 3 days in the case of other workers where the employment does not extend for 12 months, 
holidays shall he allowed at the rate of one day for each 
same
complete four consecutive months of employment with the 
employer performed after the 30th April, 1938. 
Holidayremuneration is fixed at daily rates, in the 
case of male workers of 21 years of age and over at 7/7d. per day (instead of 7/2d,) for cowmen, 7/sd, per day (instead of 7/-) for teamsm.cn and shepherds, 7/sd. per day (instead of 6/lOd.) 
for sheep-tenders and "bullock-tenders, and 6/4d. per day (instead of 6/ld.) for other male workers. The holiday remuneration for 
female workers of 18 years of age and over is unchanged at 
4/Bd. per day. 
-
Wiltshire. An Order varying the existing minimum 
and overtime rates "for male workers, the minimum rates for 
female workers and the directions in regard to holidays with 
pay and holiday remuneration, such rates and directions as 
varied to come into operation on 31st March 1940, and to continue 
The minimum rates in the
in operation until further notice. 
case of male workers of 21 years of age and over are 38/­
(instead of 36/-) per week of 41 hours in the weeks in which 
Whit
Good Friday, Faster Monday, Monday and August Bank Holiday 
fall; 32 hours in the week in which Christmas Day and Boxing 
Day fall and 50 hours in any other week, with overtime at 10/d. 
per hour (instead of lQd. ), The minimum rate in the case of 
female workers of 18 years of age and over is 7d. per hour 
(instead of 6d.) for all time worked. 
The directions in regard to holidays with pay remain 
unchanged (except as regards holiday remuneration) and provide 
that a wholetime worker who hy any date in the period 
Ist January to 31st December in any year (commencing with the 
consecutive 
months v employment with the same employer shall "be allowed 
year 1940) has completed four, eight or twelve 
three the
holidays of one, two or days respectively. Where 
worker is entitled to holidays of two or three days, such 
4. 
holidays shall he allowed on consecutive days. The holidays 
are to he allowed at such times within the above period as may he agreed between employer and worker, and provision is made a 
to when they are to he allowed in default of agreement. 
Holiday remuneration is fixed at daily rates and for male workers of 21 years of age and over is 6/4d* per day(instead of 6/-) and for female workers of 19 years of age and 
over 
4/9d. per day (instead of 4/od. ), 
The next meeting of the Board will he held on Bth April, 1940. 
5. 
MINISTRY OF LABOUR & NATIONAL SERVICE 
7/21.3.40. 
Press Notice 
NATIONAL SERVICE (ARMED FORCES) ACT, 1959. The Ministry of labour and National Service 
attention to the 
fact that qualified Medical Practitioners ho are registered under the 
National Service (Armed Forces) Act are liable to be called up to 
become Medical Officers in one or other of the Fighting Services. 
The Minister of Labour and National Service will be advised by the 
Minister of Health and the Secretary of State for Scotland, who will in 
turn be advised by the Central Medical .far Committees of the two 
countries, in the selection of the individuals who will thus be called 
Services and of
up, due regard being paid to the respective needs of the 
the medical services at home. As already announced, men aged 25 and 26 
will be registered on 6th and 27th April respectively, so that medical men of these must to arise
ages expect the question of their calling up dates.
shortly after those The Minister wishes to remind medical men of all ages up to 55 that 
the Central Medical War Committee is open to receive applications by suitably qualified men to become medical officers in the Fighting Services 
as volunteers. As 
the Fighting Services expand there is naturally a for
need a larger number of Medical Officers and the Minister feels that 
many of the younger medical men who are available may be glad to take 
the present opportunity to offer their services in advance of the date 
on which they may be called upon to join the Services. 
Press Office, Ministry of Labour and National Service. 
Montagu House, Whitehall, S.W.I. 
H.Q.596-500 G.J. 
(5145 —1420) Wt. 98887—5886 20,000 12/86 T.B. 677 
-
21/3/40 No.8. 
EASTER AT ROYAL ORDNANCE 
FACTORIES 
, The Royal Ordnance Factories are closing for Easter Holidays-' on Good Friday and Saturday, With certain exceptiors they will he at work on Monday, 
In Scotland they will work on Good Friday and have Monday holiday. 
MINISTRY OP SUPPLY. 
-
AIR MINISTRY : 'BULLETIN 21/3/40 N0.9. 
(Not to be quoted as an Air Ministry Announcement.) 
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED OR BROADCAST BEFORE 
3 P.M. TODAY, (MARCH 21st). 
THE LION HAS TEETH 
Swift Retribution came' to Germany. 
Speaking at the Winter Garden, Margate, this afternoon, Capt. Harold Balfour, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Air, said; 
At home the war continues in the main to be in the air and on 
the sea, and recently Parliament has heard stirring accounts of the bravery of the Forces engaged in these air and marine operations. Sir Kingsley Wood told the House of Commons of the deeds of valour of our Royal Air Force; how they maintain a ceaseless watch upon 
our shores and, in co-operation with the Navy, keep open our sea routes. 
The enemy attacks on our shipping are a new form of warfare. When these are delivered against unarmed merchantmen and even light­ships, which perform a silent errand of mercy in pointing out the 
hazards of navigation to those who on the sea in ships, they are
go an illegal and inhuman form of warfare* 
The of the
experience last war,.and the experience of this war, have taught ns that in defeating the enemy T s attempts on shipping we for occasional submarine
must he prepared losses bjr and mine attack. Equally we must realise that just as the older methods of warfare 
have taught us to expect these-losses so, in spite of continuous measures which are being taken by the Air Ministry in conjunction with the Admiralty to combat air attacks on shipping, some losses are 
bound to occur, however efficient be the organisation and however brave be our personnel, 
It is 
impossible to.have an impenetrable barrier from the to the Foreland to Land’s End. And so,
Orkneys the Foreland,ifrom efficient as our defence,system is, swift as are our aircraft, skilled as are our pilots, we must face the possibility that, under the cloak of darkness, the energy can do ’’tip and run M raid -swooping down
a 
perhaps through the clouds at 300 miles an hour, spending perhaps just a few seconds on some target that it chances to find, and away up into the clouds again, may be pursued by Royal
this time one sure Air Force aircraft. But such is the problem of interception that complete success cannot be guaranteed every time. 
successful and night shows the lion has teeth as well as wings, and swift retribution came to Germany for her abortive attempts Scapa, 
However, our daring,' telling raid on Tuesday 
on 
which only resulted in negligible military damage, and for the rest the shore and with sad
bombs in fields, on sea on top of cottages, consequence of civilian casualties* 
Sir Kingsley Wood gave Parliament an account of our industrial in 'building up such an air force as will ensure us mastery
progress in the air. For the first time Parliament v/as told that the output 
/of 
2 
of aircraft accruing to this country and to France was, it was estimated, greater than the output of Germany, and when Sir Kingsley said this he was talking only of operational types 
of 
aircraft and those which are of direct value for operations in 
war. This includes deliveries which we are getting from. America, hut this total does not at the present time amount to very much in comparison with our output. 
Our weekly rate of output since the outbreak of war has 
shown a steady numerical increase. While all who have any 
knowledge of Royal Air Force equipment know that the effective 
increase that is to say, the growth of the fighting strength
--
of the Force has been even greater. 
In such a vast industrial undertaking a& that of the aircraft industry, been multiplied several times
which has over the beginning the expansion of the Royal Air Force,
since of all of us must, of course, hear occasionally of some works not 
operating up to full capacity, and, indeed, I have received letters from relatives in Thanet of those engaged in aircraft manufacture, asking why this is. 
I would explain that sometimes types whioh have been in production for a considerable period tail off as a newer type starts coming through the shops, and when this occurs there is, of course, always period before the factory works up
a to full capacity on the new type. But even if there is some such 
temporary reduction in output at one factory, this is more than offset by increases elsewhere as other factories gain the full momentum the current
of their production on type requirements. 
As regards the quality of our aircraft, this is splendid. 
But there is yet more to come as new types which are now under development enter the service, I have no doubt that the enemy would very much like to know the speed and the armament of our 
and not from
new products, this in due course they shall know, my lips hut from practical experience when they meet our pilots 
-
and to their cost. 
We are up-to-date in modern devices that are of assistance 
-
in air warfare and we intend to keep this so. You have perhaps read something in the papers about the German aircraft, 
and some people have even said that they have an advantage 
over us while we have
-being armed with cannon-guns only gotmachine guns, I can tell you that this is not so, and that 
not only our cannon-guns in full swing of production in
are 
this country, but our fighters equipped with them have already contributed to the destruction of some of the enemy machines. 
AIR MINISTRY BULLETIN 
-
21/3/40 No 10 
(Not to be quoted as an Air Ministry Announcement) 
DECORATIONS PRESENTED IN A HANGAR. 
In a hangar of an »R, A.F. station in East Anglia, the 
Air Officer Commanding-In-Chief,Bomber Command (Air Chief 
Marshal Sir Edgar R. Ludlow-Hewitt) and the High Commissioner for 
New Zealand (Mr. W.J,Jordan) has presented decorations to 
personnel of several-squadrons in one of the Bomber Command 
Groups. 
The High Commissioner met New Zealand officers and men at 
the station where the ceremony was held. They recently carried 
out their first operation-a sweep over the north sea. Other 
New Zealanders within, the group joined them for the parade. 
Officers and men were drawn up in a hollow square in the 
hangar. The Commander-In-Chief and the High Commissioner 
walked down the ranks together to inspect them. The Commander­
In-Chief presented decorations to 5 airmen for gallantry during 
Operations over enemy territory last December» 
One of these was a front gunner. A 1 though his aircraft was subjected to very heavy fire, he remained at his post until both front guns were nut out of action and part of the flooring was shot away and in flames. He nut the flames out with his 
hands. 
and
By this time the petrol system had been severely damaged 
the gunner worked the manual rump until shortage of petrol caused 
the aircraft to land in the He then launched dinghy and
sea. a 
assisted in saving members of the crew, some of whom were wounded. 
The other four men to be decorated by the Commander-In-Chief 
were tail gunners who had distinguished themselves in action 
against enemy fighters. All five men received the Distinguished Flying Medal. 
to
The High Commissioner was afeked to present the D.F.M. 
Corporal C.B.G. Knight who was awarded the first decoration to 
go to the R.N.Z.A.F. in this war1* As chief wireless operator of 
a bomber formation, Corporal Knight inthe course of his duties, 
contributed largely to the success of an operation. 
The Commander-In-Chief shook hands with all the five men he decorated and congratulated ther&> 
The 
High Commissioner, having decorated Corporal Knight, said non behalf of the New Zealand government and people, I want to say how proud are the part you have played".
we of 
After the march past; the High Commissioner inspected aircraft and hangars. He climbed up into one of the bombers and had some of its details explained to him. He was also given a demonstration 
of one of the gun turrets, used for training. 
Finally, he saw‘one of the Few Zealand crews take off and fly round the aerodrome. 
Before he left, the High Commissioner said "I have "been deeply impressed "by all I have seen here. It has given me striking proofof 
-
the ability of the R.A.F. to hit back and keep on hittingo I noticed with satisfaction the smartness of all ranks of New 
Zealanders on parade« I feel that the men of New Zealand are proud 
to be associated with the Royal Air Force in these times, and we are grateful to our men who are nlaying their Dart in that respect 1 ' AIR AFFAIRS. 
21/3/40 -NO; 11. 
SHETLAND AIR RAID WARNING. 
The Air Ministry Announces 
this
Early (Thursday) afternoon, one enemy aircraft a£>peared over the Shetlands, An air raid warning was sounded and the raidera passed signal given about fifteen minutes later. 
AIR AFFAIRS. 
21/3/40 Ho. 12. 
NIGERIA'S RELIEF GIFT 
The Governor of Nigeria reports that the Nigeria War Relief Fund has allotted £l,OOO to the joint Red Cross and St. John’s Ambulance Fund, and £2,000 for the relief of families of men killed and injured by enemy action while with the North Sea filing fleets* 
The total privately subscribed from Nigeria the
to British Red Cross and St. John’s Ambulance Fund, up to the end of last month was more than £12,000. 
EMPIRE AFFAIRS, 
-
21/3/40. No. 13. 
FINNISH PILOTS TAUGHT BY DUMB-SHOW. 
(Not to be quoted as an Air Ministry announcement). 
During the recent Russo-Finnish war Finnish pilots arrived in England to take delivery of a 
number of Hurricane fighters. The officer in charge was the only one who could speak any English. In spite of the fact that all instructions had 
to be given in English, with the use of explanatory sketches 
and a certain amount of dumb-show, the whole of the flying training of the pilots was carried out satisfactorily, 
and delivery of the aircraft went through to schedule. 
In appreciation of the keenness shown hy the Finnish officers, the R.A.F. personnel who had been instructed to prepare the machines for flight made a collection among 
themselves and "bought a cigarette case for each of the Finnish pilots before they left for Finland. 
AIR AFFAIRS 
21st March, 1940 Mo, 14. M*A«F,I79, 
MINISTRY 0? AGRICULTURE ANNOUNCEMENT, 
IN THE VEGETABLE GARDEN, 
The Ministry of Agriculture’s Bulletin No. 1, 
"Food from the CardenI', has had a wide circulation amongst old and new gardeners and allotment holders. Another Growmore 
Bulletin, No* 2, issued today, deals with the PeSts and Diseases of the Vegetable Garden, and ail who have profited by the first Bulletin will no doubt want to read and study the second. 
Even at this time of the year there are precaut­ions to take, and pests to destroy, though the majority of pests are much more in evidence in the growing season* But the cut worms, leatherjackets, slugs and woodlice are there 
to he dealt with now, at the digging time. Certain measures of garden hygiene also call for attention at this time of the year, and 'briefly stated these in getting and
consist keeping the allotment or garden clean and well cultivated, burning all the refuse not suitable for the compost heap. Later, the Bulletin will help the gardener in his attack on 
the pests of particular crops, and those of the following are, one by one, consideredßroad beans, dwarf beans and carrots and
runners, beet, all cabbage varieties, parsnips, celery, lettuce, onions and leeks, peas potatoes.
and 
-
21/3/40 No.15. 
WAR COMMENTARY 
¦by 
AIR MARSHAL E»Lo GQSSAGE, C»Bo C»V«0o, Do S, 09
. 
“broadcast in the Home Service: Thursday, March 21 1940: 9»2Q-9035 p>Hh 
RELEASED FOR PUBLICATION 
AFTER 9035 p.m* THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING 
Mem« to Sub-Editors: As this script is 
“being issued in advance, it is necessary to check it against the “broadcast "on 
449 or 391 metresp 
This evening I’m making my first contribution to the series 
of talks called ’War Commentary’© I’m not going to give you a 
story of the war in the air up to date© I just propose to select 
one or two features, and will tell you what I think about them* 
Until quite recently, I’ve been commanding a Group of fighter squadrons in the Fighter Command of the Royal Air Force, which is the command mainly responsible for the Air Defence of this country© 
I shall therefore start my series of talks from the standpoint of Home Defence© In this talk. I’ll mention the work of the other two Operational Commands of the Royal Air Force, but I shall deal with their exploits more fully later on© 
Now, the air defence of this country represents the balance which
between offence, squadrons, defence,
applied by Bomber and is mainly the task the Fighter squadrons©
of 
It is rather like boxingo The bombers represent your power to knock your opponent out; the fighters represent your defence with which you ward off your opponent’s 
blows until the time 
comes for you to land your knockout© 
The defence is capable of doing even more than this* By wearing your opponent down you might in certain circumstances 
bring his offensive to a standstill In boxing, if you are wise, and have respect for your opponent’s defence , you don’t generally rush in and 
try to knock him out immediately© 
If you are wise, you’ll generally indulge in some preliminary 
own
sparring to test your opponent’s defence and jto open your muscles, but all the time you keep your big punch in reserve until you can land it with telling effect* 
In fact, you adopt the policy of limited liability, conserving your energy and resources whilst causing your opponent to up
use 
his to the same limited degree© 
So I think it has been with the Air Defence of this country up to with the
the present times Our defences, the Fighter squadrons anti-aircraft guns and searchlights, the "balloon "barrages, and the Observer Corps, the ’eyes 1 pf the have "been on the alert,
defences, watching for, warding off and defeating the jabs which the enemy Air Force has made up to dateD 
on
The German raid on the Firth of Forth, ttheir recent attack 
Scapa Flow, and their flights over the Orkneys and Shetlands, have 
been incidents in the ’sparring’ phase, which is now in progress 
Our 
2 
Our operations over Wilhelmshaven, Borkum, Hornum and the Heligoland Bight, in which enemy naval ships and air stations have been 
attacked are our blows and counter blows, 
We have also carried out reconnaissance over Germany, 
Czechoslovakia and Poland, with the object of finding our way over those countries in all sorts of weather, seeing what is 
going on and testing the enemy’s defences. 
The situation, then, is very different from that 
which most of us must have expected when war became imminent 
at 
the beginning of September last year. We all imagined, myself certainly included, that a massed air attack on this 
country might take place either before a declaration of war 
or immediately following it. 
The Government certainly thought that such an 
eventuality must be provided against. So they carried out 
an excellent Evacuation Scheme for our great cities and Civil 
set a was
Defence measures were going against danger which 
regarded as a very real one. As we all know now, this attack has not yet 
come. 
i Sparring l is still in progress and each side continues 
to size the other up. 
The war,then, has so far developed, from the air point of view into a sea and air war Defence has taken the form of 
o 
protection given to our merchant shipping, Doth at a distance from this close to it,
country and 
On the broad outside the range of our shore-
oceans, based aircraft, the protection of our shipping has become entirely the task of the Royal Navy, with the assistance of the Fleet Air Arm, 
The principal adversaries have been the U-boats, These have been driven away from the focal points off our coasts by 
the Royal Navy with the intimate and successful co-operation of the Coastal Command of the Royal Air Force, Aircraft of that 
Command have on more than one occasion obtained direct hits of 
German submarines. 
In waters home, mainly the forth Sea, a strong
nearer over 
adversary has become the enemy bomber,, Whilst the Coastal Command still plays a vital part, the Fighter Command carries 
the chief load, The Fighter Command has constantly been putting up patrols of fighter aircraft to protect convojrs, merchant ships 
and fishing fleets operating along our coasts. 
Engagements between our fighters and German bombers are a frecpient occurrence along our seven hundred miles of coastline 
from Dungeness to the Shetlands, Forty German aeroplanes have been destroyed in the course of these operations and more, we know, have failed to returb to their bases. This shows that we have 
not been unsuccessful in taking the measure of these commerce 
raiders of the air. And all this with no loss to our fighters from action.
enrny 
So far the Germans have "been carrying out their attacks of the weather
on our shipping in small numbers, making use 
conditions prevalent over the forth Sea, A low cloud base and 
poor visibility are often to be found there, and these conditions 
provide excellent cover for small numbers of aircraft engaged on 
’
? tip and run operations. The Germans therefore come skimming over sea at a low altitude in small packets of twos and threes,
the 
discover our own or neutral ships, of which there are always plenty, 
3 
attack them and then try and take cover in the clouds when our fighters appear intercept destroy them.
to and 
/mother serious menace to our coastwise shipping which 
has appeared, is the magnetic mine. These have been dropped 
from German aeroplanes in waters which cannot be easily 
reached by their submarines. We have therefore had to adopt 
both a defensive and offensive policy as antidotes to this 
danger. 
As a defensive measure, we have been mooring barrage balloons on barges at suitable points off our coast. As an offensive measure, we have been carrying out what are known 
as ’security patrols’ over seaplane bases on the North German coast. 
Whenever lights have been seen on the water, which give 
an indication that seaplanes are being operated, they have been bombed and the lights have been extinguished. Since these tactics have been in force it seems that minelaying activity from the air has been much interfered with. 
These’security patrols’ have been carried out by the aircraft of the Bomber Command, and I will tell you more 
about them in a later talk. The Fighter Command has also 
taken its share against the minelayers with the successful 
raid on the German seaplane base at Borkum on the 28th 
November. In this operation, five enemy seaplanes on the 
slipways were repeatedly attacked by our long range fighters. 
Although, as we see it at present, the enemy is adopting a policy of limited liability, using only small numbers 
against us, things may change., Air warfare on the part of 
the enemy has deteriorated already. Attacks have been made 
on unarmed shipping, our own and neutral, and on lightships. Things may slip yet further downhill and cities and industrial centres may then come in for it too. 
If this happens, as Sir Kingsley Wood said the other day, Considerable damage might be caused but we need have no doubt that our people will endure with the same high courage as other peoples have recently shown. * To this I might add, that 
we ourselves would naturally take offensive action in return 
at the appropriate time. 
The Royal Air Force, at any rate, has greatly benefited 
to
from the skirmishes which it has had -with the enemy up date. 
We have gained good experience from our engagements, we have 
proved the high value of our aircraft/ and pilots, and we have increased our knowledge and ability to meet the larger numbers, should they come. 
BRITISH BROADCASTING-CORPORATION. 
The following is issued by Naval 21/3/40 -110: 16. Affairs for such use as the Press may like to make of it. 
THE ATTACK OH THE 'WARREN 1 
¦ 
an
During interview today (Thursday) With Skipper O.A. Sleeth 
of the trawler 'Warren* which was machine-gunned and bombed by
, 
German aircraft in the North Sea on March 7th, information was forthcoming of the bravery of Thomas Edward PIFIELD, cook of the ’Warren*, who continued to fire the machine-gun after he was wounded. 
The ’Warren* , with her crew of nine, was fishing about 70 miles from land when at 5.30, p,m. she was attacked by two Heinkels dropped six bombs and sprayed the ship with
who 
bullets. The crew ¦were told to take cover below, while the 
skipper, having no wireless, left the wheelhouse to procure rockets for warning other ships. Pifield, at the gun, fired some 300 rounds at the attackers in spite of the fact that he was wounded in the hip soon after the engagement started. He 
saw his tracer bullets striking the lieinkel, while another witness saw part of its fuselage flutter down into the sea. When Pifield was overcome by his wound the skipper took over the gun and fired another of amunition at the
pan enemy, which eventually made off. The fWarren’, which had completed her fishing, recovered her gear and came home, the cook being discharged to hospital on arrival, where eleven small fragments of a bullet were extracted from his thigh. Describing the incident with the usual imperturbability 
the cook* "I reckon”, he said, "that to carry on like that under fire and after being wounded made Pifield a proper hero* We all thought so”, 
-
of a fisherman;, Skipper Sleeth was most complimentary about 
-
21/3/40 No. 17. 
BOXING 
ARMY v WALES 
at Garrison Theatre, Aldershot, Friday, 29th March, 7 p«m. 
(The entire proceeds will “be niven to the Army Recreational Equipment Fund)*, 
HEAVY WEIGHT-Guardsman Lavery (Ist. Irish Guards). 
LIGHT HEAVY WEIGHT* Private J. Morris (Somerset Light Infantry) Champion of India, 1936. 
MIDDLEWEIGHT. Corporal R. Brooks. (K.R.R.C*.) 
WELTERWEIGHT• Sergeant V.R, Parkinson (R.A.) English International 
LIGHT WEIGHT. Sergeant Gleeson (Welch Regiment) Light weight Champion 
of Ulster. 
Private Swain (R.A.M.C.) 
FEATHERWEIGHT. Private E. Andrews (R.C.A.M.C.) 
and 
A.N.Other. 
BANTAM WEIGHT. Private A. Russell (Royal Scots). 
A.8.A0 Ply-weight Champion 1938. Ru'nner-up, 1939
• 
The Army will meet Wales in a return march at Aldershot 
when the
on Friday, March 29th, entire proceeds will be given to the Army Recreational Equipment Fund. 
Wales, who won the original match at Cardiff a few weeks 
ago by seven contests to two, again will be strongly representedthough"one of their outstanding men, Reardon, the Empire
D.P. middle-weight champion of 1938, cannot box this time and there will be several other changes at different weights. Wales still 
have two light-weights of above the in C.C. Gallia and
average 
T.D. McGrath, the latter a soldier in the Welch Regiment which if necessary can be called upon to provide three of the four 
9st. 91b. men in the match* One of these,' Sergeant Glecson, a champion of Ulster, may have
has been matched with Gallie who 
his work cut out to deal with so vigorous a fighter. Pto. Ryan, 
however, will be an Army reserve on this occasion and one of the 
latest recruits, Pte. Swain, an excellent London club boxer, will meet McGrath* The Army again will have A. Russell, the former fly-weight champion, as. their Bantam. On the other hand 
a new heavy-weight is Guardsman Lavery of the Irish Guards, a new welter is Sergeant V.R. Parkinson, the English international, and two new feathers will take the 
ring. 
The boxing at Cardiff was not nearly so one-sided as 
the result suggested and the Army have high hopes of turning the tables collectively at Aldershot* 
21st March 1940 No. 18. M.A.F. 180. 
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE ANNOUNCEMENT. 
Note to Editor:­
The Ministry of Agriculture would ask that, if the Editor is prepared to make space available for this matter, this notice should he inserted in full, in 
order to prevent misunderstanding on the part of farmers. 
PLOUGHING OF GRASSLAND 
The following is an important announcement which concerns tenant-farmers who have ploughed up permanent grassland since the 
3rd September, 1939, as part of the campaign for increasing food production* 
Any tenant-farmer who has ploughed up permanent grassland since the outbreak of war and has not yet received formal
a 
direction from his County War Agricultural Executive Committee, relating to the field or fields that he has actually ploughed, should, unless he obtained his landlord's consent to the ploughing, obtain such a direction from the County Committee on or before March 31st, 
1940, 
The ploughing up may have been contrary to the farmer's tenancy agreement and in the absence of his landlord's consent, it is in the farmer's own interests that he should receive
necessary a formal direction which of course overrides the terms of the 
agreement, A direction issued after March 31st 1940 in of 
the desired
any field that has already been ploughed will not have 
effect. 
Written application should be made at once to the County 
War Agricultural Executive Committee, stating the name and postal address of the farm, the ordnance survey number or numbers of the field or fields that have been ploughed, or if the ordnance numbers 
arc not known then the number on the farm plan or the name by which 
the field is commonly known* The acreage of the field should be stated, 
There is, of course, no need for any action to b* taken 
if the fields that have are included in a direction
been ploughed already given by the Committee* 
-
21/3/40 NO 19
. 
WAR ISSUES WITH THE NETHERLANDS 
Conversations which have been proceeding for some time in London between British and Netherland representatives, on trade questions arising out of war conditions, have now 
been successfully concluded, and an agreement was initialled today* A joint commission is to be set up, which will meet In London or the Hague, and will deal with any questions which 
may arise in the operation of the agreement* 
MINISTRY OP ECONOMIC WARFARE. 


PRESS REVIEW
FOREIGN 
WARCOMMENT ON THEDAILY SURVEY OF WORLD 
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
THE
REPORTS RECEIVED BY
COMPILED FROM TELEGRAPHIC 
No. 58. 2lstMarch, 1940 
BELGIUM: MR. CHAMBERLAIN f S "BRILLIANT VICTORY". 
Praise for Mr. Chamberlain is contained today in the Left-wing nevrspaper LE PEUPLE. 
"The British Premier has gained a brilliant victory, proving that neither Parliament nor public opinion is seriously dissatisfied with the Government's action, or that Britain lacked. good will, energy or loyalty in aiding 
Finland. It also proved that the Allies will not weaken in their oft 
o
proclaimed resolves " 
A nbt dissimilar attitude is adopted by the VOLKLGAZET which states: 
c 
"Clearly the Premier has succeeded in justifying his convictions. It is to add that he
important expressly revealed that Britain did not intend arbitrarily to impose her will on neutral states,," 
NATION EELGE, the Right-wing organ, and XXme SIECLE, the Catholic newspaper, point out that the French Cabinet crisis was due only to the Chamber of Deputies* desire for a more vigorous conduct of the war, 
Discussing M. Reynaud, XXme SIECLE says: "Above all he will be the 
champion of British and. French collaboration and the seeker of American support. For him, Germany is France's only enemy and. all efforts should be concentrated 
on her defeat," 
The Royal Air Force's attack on is described in glowing headlines.
Sylt 
G.AZETTE DE CHARLEROI, the Liberal newspaper, uses the headlines "In Powerful Waves the R, A. P. Sweep for Seven Hours over the German Air Bases 
-
Considerable Damage Done to Sea plane Hangars, Wharves and other Military Installations". 
the
LEATATE NIEUVS headlines the action "Greatest Air Attack Since 
Outbreak of War -Danish Coast sees Gigantic Flames and. Smoke Clouds," 
JAPAN: TOTALITARTANS UNABLE TO SUSTAIN LONG WAR. 
Brenner Totalitarian countries are not in the same position as the Democracies to sustain a long war, according to CHUGAI 3HOGYO SHIKPO, Tokyo's leading financial 
daily newspaper. 
The significance behind the meeting is that the European 
This paper writes toda}?-: "After all, it is the fact that neither Germany nor Italy is anxious for war that gives rise to these stories of an Italo-German peace offensive. England and. France are not necessarily anxious for a war, hut the reason why only Germany and. Italy are reported as being about to come out with a Peace offensive is that in comparison with England and Prance they are not considered capable of enduring a protracted, war. " 
This concludes by saying that Germany is making great efforts to
paper increase her resources and she must not therefore he despised. 
21.3.40, 2. 
U. S. A: PRAISE FOR R.A«F. RAID ON SYLT. 
The S.
R,A# F. raid on Sylt is reported fully in the U. Press, which expresses admiration of the British pilots’ daring. 
The NEW YORK TIMES writes today: "The British raid on the Island of Sylt seems to have been a thorough business-like job in retaliation for the German attack on Scapa Flow* It is a tribute to their fighting powers that only one of the thirty or more raiding planes failed to return*" 
M. Daladier’s resignation is viewed by the American Press not .ajsra.' sign of weakness but rather as a sign of the strength of French democracy. 
’’Democratic institutions in France are strong and responsive when 300 deputies by abstaining from voting can bring down a government that had dictatorial powers,” states the NE\7 YORK TIMES. 
Discounting German claims of panic in France this papef adds: "There will be no comfort for Hitler in the sight of M. Reynaud in power, and there can be none if M. Daladier returns to office at the head of a stronger war cabinet*" 
The NEK YORK HERALD-TRIBUNE referring to Mr* Sumner Welles’s mission, writes: ’’There can be no question of the ingenuity with which Hitler has taken advantage of Mr* Welles’s visit to jolt his enemies and confuse the American mind. He has succeeded in Europe to the point of inciting the resignation of 
* 
K. Daladier* However, most Americans will be thankful that Mr. Welles has left for Europe with no fatal damage done to the Allies’cause.” 
The speech at Toronto by hr. James Cromwell, newly appointed U. S. Minister to Canada, receives the approbation of the NEV 7 YORK THUS, which writes 
in an editorial article: "Every available scrap of evidence goes to show that the great majority of the American people agree with him and recognise the 
difference, highly important from our point of view, between democracy and 
dictatorship, and between the defence of national frontiers and aggression running wild. " 
The meeting between Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini has given rise to considerable comment and
in the American provincial Press, a belief frequently expressed was that the Fuehrer would not have taken the trouble to journey to the Brenner unless he were in some sort of need. 
The CHICAGO DAILY TIMES declared: ’’Whether the Nazis slipped in their war words we do not know, but they did seem to sound a most truthful note when they admitted ’the meeting was forced because National Socialism finds itself in the most fateful hour of its life. In otherwords and there are no two 
’ 
-
ways about it -Hitler had to to the Brenner Pass. ’’ 
go 
The CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR wrote in similar vein: "What desperate need sent Hitler to Italy on the heels of the unsuccessful visit by Ribbentrop to Rome? The indications are that Hitler needed some sort of victory at this point in a war which is getting Germany nowhere. 
’’ 
The ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH contrasted the German glowing stories of the Brenner meeting with the secretiveness of Italian official circles, and added: ’’This confirms that the personal ardour of the Fascist leaders to Hitler is completely cooled." 
Some biting comment on the Russo-German alliance was made in the OMAHA which stated: "It is impossible to understand how the Reds can
WORLD HERALD, reflect dishonour on the Nazis or the Nazis on the Reds. Each gang is so in the
thoroughly steeped dishonour of its own perfidy that no partners in crime could make the sin deeper, A fouler crime than Russia’s cynical sin and. if shamed
horrible bestiality seldom, ever, humanity. ” 
Referring to the visit of the Duke of Saxe-Coburg, the PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER stated: "The Duke blandly informs interviewers in this country that life in Poland is ’back to normal’. From past observations normality from the Nazi p*int of view seems to approximate more than anything else to the routine of 
a 
concentration camp. ” 
21.3.40. 
5 
SWEDEN: COMMENT ON MR, CHAMBERLAIN AND m. DALADIER. 
Mr* Chamberlain's speech, m.Daladier’s resignation and the official Russian communique on the proposed Scandinavian defensive alliance, are subjected to examination in to-day's Swedish Press: 
STOGKHOLMS TIDNINGEN considers that both Britain and France are 
now going to make an effort to restore their prestige and adds: 
"Hr, Chamberlain’s defence of his Finland Policy was well received in Great Britain, but M.Daladier has fallen into disfavour among his countrymen 
for his weakness towards Germany and also perhaps towards the Neutrals. 
That M*Reynaud might . replace him, is an indication that France intends to 
take action. Both parties in the war are now preparing for the great 
struggle and are reviewing their positions. London and Paris interpret 
the Swedish unwillingness to allow the extension of the front, as a sign 
that Sweden is inclined towards Germany. But Swedish neutrality is of 
course based on very different grounds." 
FOLKETS DAGBLAD,the Left-vVing Newspaper, referring to the Tass Communique that Russia will oppose 
a Scandinavian alliance states that as 
a result of the Moscow peace * which came about with Swedish cooperation 
the Soviet intends to direct the action of Finland and the other Scandinavian 
Countries. This paper adds: "The only pactv/hichßussia is likely to permit, is a pact with herself." 
This paper sharply criticises the Swedish Government for saying that the Tass dommunique is a misunderstanding, instead of openly declaring., tha.t_.the necessitated-by Russian expansionist plans. 
bad
The Russian communique can only make a impression op Sweden according 
to the SOCIAL DEMOKRATEN, and DAGENS NYHSTER, the Liberal Newspaper, considers that the communique, suggesting that the proposed alliance would be directed against Russia, is based on a misunderstanding. 
SVENSKA DAGBLADET, the Conservative newspaper, criticises the Swedish Government for inaction and weakness and rejects any suggestion that the Soviet should have the right to decide whether or not Scandinavian Countries 
should conclude an alliance. 
Some 
caustic oomment on the meeting between Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini was made in the GOTEBCRGS HANDELS -GCH SJGFAATSTIDNING the Liberal Newspaper, yesterday. 
"None can avoid thinking that the raids on Communists will be followed by raids on the Nazis," stated this paper. "The Nazis are operating in the markets and and
Untouched everywhere, streets and in dirty holes comers. Sweden was the cause, to a great part, of Finland’s defeat. Our contribution was indecisive and trembling 
...... 
"The Brenner tableau was designed to impress. Both Dictators understand 
tableau effects and how to get the masses to mass meetings. Like other 
stimulants the more these tactics are used, the less their effect becomes. Paris and London ane not impressed -they have serious Ear aims. " 
NY TID, the Social Democratic organ, wrote: ".ingland shall therefore 
capitulate to Germany without a fight.’ How can Germany conceive this Illusion? But the Germans always had curious ideas of international conditions. 
In the last war the Germans as
appeared conquerers while their position was really had. It seems that Hitler must sacrifice himself for the German 
people ’s peace.” 
21.3.40. 
ITALY. R.A. F. IG-.IL FEZ TILLED. 
The R.A.F.'s raid on Sylt has been featured in the Italian Press and the HE33AGGERO in o London message yesterday described the action as "this hold raid which vuts ail other aero-naval events of the war into the shade." 
Signor Ansaldo writing in the TELEGRAFO contrasted the "revelation of the desire for peace of the democratic peoples and the belli,nererfy of their Governments' action by the interest in the Brenner meeting and Mr, Sumner Welles's mission. 
"These revelations as
sorvc' not only indications of possible developments but the
to fix responsibility before judgment of history." 
-
A li'otle more warmth tovvrards the xiome Berlin Axis was shewn in the 
Press 
yesterday. 
~
"The Rome Berlin alliance remains intact" declared Signor Virginio 
Gayda, writing in the GIuRNALH I)'ITALIA. "It is natural therefore, that it should function. 
The MESSAGGZxiG declared: "It is to be remembered that the French Press 
appears alarmed at the very idea of a mediation leading to peace, which did not perpetuate the iniquities of an eternal German subjection to an undis ­puted hegenopy of the ¦ plutocracies: Again,, and in the i£Q&t odious terns, the 
, 
antithesis between peace and justice is delineated. These considerations are attitude consecrated by the
sufficient reason 
for Italy's unchanged Brenner for her intense
Meeting, and military preparation which must ensure the widest protection of her interests whenever and where“ever required." 
NORWAY: SOME CRITICISM OF MR. CHAMBERLAIN'S SPEECH. 
Mr, Chamberlain 1 s has-aroused a certain amount of criticism in the Norwegian Press. 
TIDENS TEGN wrote yesterday: "The British Premier’s interpretation of our view of 
neutrality is anything but flattering to us. His impression is that we consider anything better than to be involved in a major war, and that we are indifferent to the outcome. We believe Mr. Chamberlain errs here. The Norwegians are far from indifferent, even if our Government's policy sometimes appears to justify Mr. Chamberlain's opinion." 
Mr.
Commenting on Chamberlain's specific references to Norway MGRGENPOSTEN 
expressed surprise that the Premier could not suggest any other course for the small nations than to 
join one of the belligerents and thereby drag them 
into a war no
for 'which they had responsibility. 
"We are not blind to the fact that we can suffer Finland’s fate", continued this journal, "We are willing to defend ourselves to the best of 
our ability. Otherwise N orway’s and Sweden's policy remains as before -to avoi# being involved in a war between the Great Powers. It is therefore immaterial to ask if we are indifferent as to the final outcome. We are neutral and we 
wish at all costs to remain so," 
BULGA.iIA: "GREATEST ENGLISH' AIR ATTACK. " 
to the R.A.F.' s raid on Sylt and the influential DNES used the headline ’'Greatest English Air Attack Sylt Island in Flames." 
All the Sofia evening papers gave great prominence last night 
-
of Commons
ivir. Chamberlain * s speech in the House was also reported 
and ZGRA.
prominently, particularly by OTJTRO 
21.3.40 
5 
BRAZIL: "\iAti IJLRVL” INEFFECTIVE. 
The German "nerve war" tactics are losing their potency according to Senhor Berquo writing in the CuRREIO DA MANHA. 
Hitler and
Referring to the meeting between Herr Signor Mussolini this writer stated: ’’The peace offensive 
is abortive. The Nazi war of nerves method is well known and is becoming increasing ineffective." 
In a front page article in this paper the view was taken 
that Italy was not likely to ally herself with Russia. 
0 JORNAL stated: 
"The only hope of a negotiated peace would be an American 
or pan-American guarantee that Hitlerian promises would be kept." 
FRANCE: FAILURE OF BRENNER MEETING, 
that the between Herr Hitler and the Duce was a failure, and that Germany’s peace 
The view taken by the majority of French newspapers is meeting 
manoeuvre proved abortive. 
writing in the ORDRE, Pertinax stated: "Mr* Sumner Welles’s mission has ended. He has seen Count Ciano for the last time, but he embarks without having seen Mussolini again. N 0 peace programme has been put to him and he has made no offer to anyone of the willingness of Washington to further any will submit to Mr. Roosevelt a on the 
peace plan. In a few days he report condition of Europe in which he will sum up the information already contained in his telegrams, and will come to a definite conclusion. 
"We have reason for thinking that Mr. Sumner Welles returns to his country convinced, that the Allies are determined to fight on to victory and that they have at their command, the resources to achieve this. 
" 
I the PARIS-SOIR M. Sauerwein daebred yesterday: "'whatever the inspired
n 
comments of the controlled press in Germany and Italy, two things appear probable: (l) Mussolini has not been able to persuade Hitler to consent to, -any peace offers which are worth, dismissing, and (2) Hitler has not been able to ¦conyinfve Mussolini of the utility of an agreement with the Soviets. 
"Mr. Sumner helles therefore doubtless leaves Genoa without having been 
able to suggest a workable programme, but it is a great deal to have forced the two dictators to such an exchange of views. The clearest result is that 
Hitler has no longer any illusions and that he will have to give up the 
’
’German pe&ce which he was hoping for. " 
HOLLAED: SPECULATION ON POSSIBLE CABINET CHANGES. 
Speculation on possible changes in the British and French Cabinets is contained in the Dutch Press. 
Referring to Mr, Chamberlain’s speech HET HANDELSBLAD stated yesterday that the Prime Minister "left the political arena as a conqueror but has not succeeded in convincing the outside world that he has really disconcerted his opponents," The writer thought that both Mr. Chamberlain and Ivl. Daladier would be forced to form a small war cabinet and compared the situation to that of 19li* 
the thought that Mr, Chamberlain would
HET VADERLAND, Liberal newspaper
9 
have to reform his cabinet for a more forceful war policy. 
"Mr. Chamberlain has the gift of striking the right note at moments of the Catholic organ. laid stress
crisis", declared DE MAASBODE, "Moreover he on the essential fact that England’s main front is against Germany and that men may do Such words are bound to create
responsible irresponsible things. trust. There is a determination in them which impresses Parliament. o 3y
n 
future developments can prove whether he has cleared away discontent for 
good. " 
21.3.40. 6, 
the
In a Berlin dispatch to the UTRECHTSNIEUi/SBLAD regarding rumoured 
Berlin-Rome-Moscow axis, it v/as stated: "It seems certain that a decision will 
soon be reached regarding this new political sensation. Italy'3 part in this 
programme will remain behind a veil for the time being, but acuter relations 
with Prance seem and. we have
unavoidable, the impression that the political constellation will have changed, its aspect after Easter." 
Discussing Mr, Oliver Stanley's speech in which the War Minister referred 
to the neutrals HET VADERLAND and the NIEUwE ROTTERDAM3CHE COURANT stated: 
"It remains to be seen how far his outburst foreshadows a concrete change, 
but it is worthy of remark that it is by no means an isolated, instance but 
one of a series 
of warnings." 
DENMARK: ALLEGATIONS AGAINST BRITISH AIRMEN. 
Allegations that bombs which fell on Jutland on Tuesday night were dropped from British machines are made in today's POLITIKEN. 
writes: it
In a leading article this paper "It is thought v/as only 
owing to a lucky chance that the British airmen’s faulty geographical knowledge 
did not again cost the lives of innocent people in a neutral country. If 
Holmslands Klit did not lie over 100 kilometres north of Sylt the mistake 
be We
could perhaps explained, presume the English flyers will be 
informed in an is a
unforgettablemarmer that Denmark neutral territory and must be respected. 
"Naturally the affair was a mistake but it is an extremely regrettable 
" 
one. 
The on to that
paper goes say Danish territory is extensively demarcated 
"
although "perhaps more could be done to mark where Denmark lies. 
SWITZERLAND: STRONGER FRENCH CABINET URGED. 
the the
Commenting on Brenner meeting and resignation of M. Daladier, 
Hi SUISSE, the Geneva newspaper, writes today: "It is certain that the new 
French Cabinet must be considerably more active than its predecessor, fbr the 
Spring will not bring even the smallest olive branch. " 
BERNER TAGWACHT, the Social Democratic newspaper, states: "Despite all denials it is hardly thinkable that peace -possibilities on the lines of a second Munich were not discussed at the Brenner. " 
LEBANON: TURKISH DIPLOMACY PRAISED. 
ALLIWA the new Arabic daily newspaper to-day publishes the first of a have
series of articles, shewing how Britain and Prance always been the 
protectors of the OttomanEmpire. 
The article explains how since the end of the Seventeenth Century, 
Russia repeatedly tried to invade Turkey, in order to seize Istanbul and the 
Dardanelles and how every time Britain and Prance helped Turkey with men, 
money and material and rescued her from the "bear's paws." 
Concluding, the article states: "Turkey has wisely reverted to the tradit­and
ional JbiglQ-tFfench friendship, thereby proving her far sightedness political maturity.