8/8/40. - No. 1. AIR MINISTRY NO. 1306 AIR MINISTRY AND MINISTRY OF HOME SECURITY COMMUNIQUE. Bombs were dropped in various parts of Great Britain last night by isolated enamy aircraft but apart from broken windows 9 little damage is reported, except that in one town in the N.E. of England a sanatorium and shop property suffered considerably. In one part".of. the 'North of England leaflets were dropped. Casualties were very few and the only serious injuries were to some women walking in a country road, AIR AFFAIRS. 8/8/40 - No. 2 BRITISH PRISONERS OF WAR. The Sallowing is the latest list of British prisoners of war in enemy hands, as received from a German source N ame Born Address. George Stanley BRIGGS 5- 1* 1908 88 Hounslow-road, St, Marylebone. Witton, Twickenham,Mdx. Percy Still GROVE 4- 5- -191-1 4? Union-street, Leek. Faversham, Kent* William HANLAN 6. 1.1907 26, Atkinson-road, Newcastle. Benwell, Newcastle- on-Tyne. George Henry HOOK 9°10.1910 57? Hythe-road,Milton S i 11 ingb ourne. Regis, near t: Sittingbourne, Kent. Wilfred. KELLY Zb 10. 1908 1, Laycock-place, Leeds. Buslingthorpe Lane, Leeds, 7> Yoi?ks o Bennis BEAN 11. 1917 42, Cubitt-road, Norfolk. Plumstead Estate, Norwich. Fred LONGBOTTOM 8. 2, 1918 23 ? Shelf Moor, near Shelf. 7 0 rks. Bradford, John THOMPSON 20. 8. 1914 345? Hackney-road, Bethnal Green. London. Leslie Charles .CARROL 16.1,1919 22, Eleanor-street, Tynemouth Cullercoats, Tynemouth. Edward LAYTON 3K3- 1922 9, Swanfield-road, Yorkshire. Sutton Trust 1state, Marfleet Lane, Hull, Yorks* Herbert BURGESS 15.10. 1920 Dennaby Main, near Doncaster. Boncaster, Yorkshire. X Fred FREEMAN 1.3.1916 69, Cannon-street, Lincoln. Lincoln. Benjamin CROWTHER 10. 2. 1919 3, Back Shannon, Todmorden. Todmorden, Lancs. Stanley HARVEY 27. 6.1909 22, Herbert-road, (no place given) High Wycombe, Bucks. Roy BROWN 13.i 7« 1917 38, Cooper-street, Sunderland. Roker, Sunderland. Federick CATT (No date given) 65, Law-street, -* London. Pembroke Dock, S. Wales. Cyril Frederick BROW 11.4.1920 65, London-road, Clapton. Horsham Sussex. z Gordon RICHARB 18. 12. 1910 105, Belle Vue-road, Leith. Aidershot, Hampshire. 8/8/40. - No. 3. CORRESPONDENCE FOR UNOCCUPIED FRANCE. The Postmaster General announces, in regard to the resumption of the postal service with the unoccupied portion of France, that it is of the utmost importance that the name of the departement(province) in which the place of destination is situated should appear in the address of all If in doubt as to the scope of the new service, senders should enquire at the nearest Post Office, where a list of the departements is available. GENERAL POST OFFICE. 8/8/40 - No. 6. PRESS NOTICE. Advance summary of a speech by the Postmaster General, The Rt. Hon. W.S. Morrison, M.C., K.C., at M.P., the presentation of the Order of the British Empire (Civii Division) to Mr. Francis Downey, unestablished Doorkeeper, Liverpool and Mr. Ja es Holmes Westwell, Sorting Clerk and Telegraphist, Liverpool at the Head Post Office, Liverpool on Thursday ~ the 8th August at 3.35 p.m. The Rt. Hon. W. S. Morrison, M. C. K. C. && the Postmaster , , , General,in presenting the British Empire Medal on behalf of the King to Mr, Francis Downey and Mr. James Holmes Westwell, at Liverpool, today said:*- ”The occasion for which these medals are awarded occurred on the 6th of February last, Mr. Downey was on duty in the Liverpool Public Office . when a woman’s screams called attention to a smoking bomb in a waste paper receptacle. Mr* Downey, without hestitation, turned out the contents of the receptacle and endeavoured to extinguish the bomb by stamping on it. This presence of mind showed the greatest courage and no doubt prevented the risk of severe injury or loss of life in the vicinity. Mr. Westwell was present on the same occasion and he at once came to Mr. Downey’s assistance and placed the smoking bomb in a bucket of water, displaying great presence of mind and courage.” Mr. Morrison paid tribute to the staff of the Post Office during his speech and said:- ’’The Post Office as a whole has a long record of achievement and service to the country 9 not only within the limits of its professional sphere "but in those activities which call for service of the ordinary citizen as a private individual* There arc, at the present time, absent from the Post Office over 40,000 men on service with His Majesty’s Forces, and a number of others who are displaying in other public services the efficiency which they have learned and achieved inside the Post Office itself* It is a cause for continued optimism that in the face of danger which springs suddenly and unlooked for in the familiar surroundings of peace, there are men and women too who will ” react at once with courage and with presence of mind. GENERAL POST OFFICE. 8/8/40 - No.7. RED CROSS CRICKET. WEST INDIANS V. WARNER : S XI All lovers of good cricket, including West Indians in London, •who will regard the occasion as a rendezvous, will be delighted to learn that a match will take place at Lord’s Cricket Ground on August 22 between a representative West Indian XI and Sir Pelham .Warner’s XI. the West Indian Team will include such noted players as Constantine, Clarke, and Martindale. The proceeds of the match will be devoted to the British Red Cross Society and the Order of St* John of Jerusalem® DOMINIONS AND COLONIAL OFFICES PRESS SECTION. 8/8/40. - No. 9. GERMAN PRISONERS OF WAR ANNOUNCED IN THE B.B.C'S GERMAN BROADCASTS. The list of German prisoners of war at present In British hands since the previous list was issued on 5.8.40 includes members of the three services, as under:- Naval prisoners of war 16 Army prisoners of war 80 Air Force prisoners of war 28 Total 124 German prisoners Italian prisoners of War announced in the B.B.C’S Italian Broadcasts, The list of Italian prisoners of war includes 25 naval men. MILITARY AFFAIRS Air Ministry Communique 1305 8.8.40 No. 10 AIR MINISTRY COMMUNIQUE During an attack on shipping in the Channel this morning a number of engagements took place between our fighters and enemy aircraft. Report so far received show that two enemy bombers are confirmed as having been shot down, and the destruction of several others is reported but not yet confirmed. AIR AFFAIRS 8/8/40 - No. 11 OFFICIAL ADMIRALTY COMMUNIQUE Skua aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm have carried out a successful attack on the petrol storage depot at Dolvik, about five miles south of Bergen. There were three petrol storage tanks, with a total capacity of 7,200 at this depot. The largest of the three tanks was seen to blow up. tons, The second largest tank was badly damaged and set on fire. The smallest tank, pumping station, the and the jetty were severely damaged. Very large fires were started which, it is considered, must have and led to spread the total destruction of the whole depot. All our aircraft returned safely. ADMIRALTY, S.W.1. AIR MINISTRY NO. 1309. 8/8/40. - No. 12. AIR-MINISTRY COMMUNIQUE Further reports of this morning 's engagements over the Channel confirm that at least six enemy dive-bombers and three enemy fighters have been shot down. Two of our fighter pilots are missing. (Note: The above figures include the two enemy bombers already announced this morning) AIR AFFAIRS AIR MINISTRY BULLETIN No. 1310. 8/8/40. - No. 13. Air Ministry News Service HURRICANE SQUADRON SHOOTS DOWN NINE Twelve Hurricane pilots of the RoA.F. Fighter Command lived Channel’ !'f t morning, I again, over the English an engagement fought by the same squadron more than two months ago in defence of the retreating BoEoF© To-day, in defence of shipping, the Hurricane squadron took on a formation of about 50 Junkers 87 and Junkers 88 bombers and their escorting They shot down 6 of the Junkers 87’s and J Messerschmitt 109 ’s, as well as damaging others* Some of Germany's new Heinkel 113 fighters were tn action. Near St. Omer.; on 22nd May,, there were 10 Hurricanes and 35 Junkers again with an escort of fighters* In this engagement the squadron shot down 6of the Junkers 8? 0 For certain - the same fighter and the same type of aircraft as to-day - and possibly three more junkers. They also destroyed one of the escorting Messerschmitt 109 fighters.- To-day, as over France the engagement Quickly became a ? general dog-fight, with each of the Hurricane pilots working on his own and attacking bombers and fighters as opportunity offered. Two of our fighters are missingo Other British fighters were on patrol at the time near the scene of the action but made no contact with the enemy* 8/8/40 - No. 14. Prevention of Waste of Food. The Waste of Food Order 1940, which comes into force on 12th August, is primarily intended to serve as a general warning against waste. It is hoped that the fact that the Minister of Food has taken these powers will prove a sufficient deterrent and that it will not be necessary to undertake numerous prosecutions. "Waste” is not confined to certain particular acts or conduct mentioned in the Order but includes any act or conduct which con- stitutes waste in the opinion of a competent Court. Food Control Committees will be informed that it was not the Minister’s intention to render the keeping of animals impossible when the use of human food for this purpose is reasonably necessary. They will be advised that prosecutions connected with the keeping of animals might well be confined to in their cases where, judgment, human food has been used wastefully, either because the quantity used was excessive, or because other food stuffs, not suitable for human consumption, might have been substituted. MINISTRY OF FOOD 8/8/40 - No. 15 The following notes relative to the White Paper No. 6219, "India and the War”, are issued for the information of the Press:- Mr. Amery, Secretary of State for India, has just announced in the House of Commons that the-Viceroy India, of after full consultation and with the approval of His Majesty's Government, has made an announcement on the political future of India. Mr. Amery is known to have been in constant communication with Lord Linlithgow ever since he became Secretary of State, and it has been confidently hoped that some constructive proposals would be made public in the near future. The most important point in the announcement comes towards the end, where the states that his Majesty's Government in sympathy with the desire that Viceroy are the framing of a new constitutional scheme for India should be primarily the responsibility of Indians themselves. It should originate from Indian conceptions of the and political structure of Indian life. social, economic His Majesty's Government wish to see the fullest practical expression given to that desire, subject to the fulfilment of the obligations which Great Britain's long connection with India has imposed upon her, and for which His Majesty’s Government cannot divest themselves of responsibility. Fundamental constitutional issues cannot be settled at the present moment when the Commonwealth is engaged in a struggle for existence. The British Government, however, will most readily assent to the setting end of up, with the least possible delay after the the of body a war, representative of the principal elements in India national life to devise the framework of a new Constitution. They will lend every aid to hasten decisions. But changes are to be made at once without waiting for the end of the war. The Viceroy’s Executive Council is to be enlarged by the appointment of representative Indians, and a Gar Advisory Council is to be established, which will meet at regular intervals. Tais Council will include representatives of the Indian States as well as of other interests in the national life of India as a whole. It is plainly intended to go well beyond the plan for a Consultative Committee which was suggested last October. The Government meanwhile will welcome and promote in any way possible every sincere and practical step that may be taken by representative Indians themselves to reach a basis of friendly agreement, both upon the form of the post war representative body and the methods by which it should and also work, upon the principles and outlines of the Constitution itself. This should enable a considerable amount of spade-work to be done at once, even during the and should materially facilitate and shorten the work of the war, representative body after the war is over. The announcement makes it clear that while the framing of the new Constitution will be primarily the task of Indians themselves, His Majesty’s Government will see that full weight will be given to views of minorities. and that they could not be parties to the coercion of such minorities. It pays full tribute to the mighty contribution which India has already made to the war and to her anxiety to do even in the and says that His Majesty’s Government trust that the " more common cause, reconstituted and strengthened Central Government with the aid of the War Advisory Council will enable all parties, communities and interests to combine and Co-operate in making a notable Indian contribution to the victory of the world cause which is at stake. URGENT NEWS. A.M. BULLETIN No.1307. ROYAL AIR FORCE AWARDS NO. 96. The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the undermentioned award, in recognition of gallantry displayed in flying operations against the enemy Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Squadron Loader Gerald Barnard KEILY,..A^FoC o On 23th July, 1940, Squadron-Leader Keily"was the pilot of an aircraft detailed to carry out a special reconnaissance over Libya* The reconnaissance had to be carried out at a low altitude owing to clouds o He was attacked by five enemy air craft but, displaying great skill., he destroyed one of them, During the engagement the air observer was hit by bullet. a Notwithstanding the handicap of having the air observer’s body leaning against him, Squadron Leader Keily continued with the reconnaissance returning with information of great value© He has invariably displayed exceptional leadership, courage, and devotion to duty. NOTE ON CAREER. Squadron Leader Keily was born in India in 1904 0 He was educated at~Lake House School and Westminster School. He served in the Southern Rhodesian Defence Force before joining the R.A.F. as a Short Service Commission Officer in 19290 He became a flying officer in 1930, had his term of service extended in 1933, became a Flight Lieutenant the following year and a Squadron Leader in 1938. His wife lives at Heliopolis, Egypt. Press and Publicity Branch? Air Ministry, King Charles Street, Whitehall, S.W.1. 8th August, 1940. 8/8/40 - No.20 WINDOW PROTECTION. Detailed advice on the treatment of windows to minimise the effects of flying glass was given by Sir John Anderson, Minister of Home Security in reply to questions in the House of Commons to-day. Recent said Sir John, confirmed the view of his experience, technical advisers that textile net or transparent film affixed to the whole surface, and strips of adhesive tape or other strong material, give the best protection. Of these, textile net or transparent film affixed, all over the surface of the glass are preferable. Strips of adhesive tape or of stout paper will give good protection if they are fixed at intervals of not more than 6 inches* On the subject of liquid preparations for painting on the glass, Sir John said that these did not in all cases give the desired protection and at best they did not usually last long. One of the difficulties of controlling the sale of such preparations, he added, is that a certificate of approval could apply only to the sample submitted, but he was considering in what form he could best give guidance to the public on this matter. In reply to another the Minister repeated the question, advice which has been given to the public to carry their gas-masks* MINISTRY OF HOLES SECURITY. 8/8/40 - NO. 21 Today's Official Communique from Cairo states: Western D e sert (August seventh) Frontier all quiet. Enemy movement, particularly motor transport continues to he reported. Sudan Unsuccessful air raid ATBARA. Otherwise all quiet. Somaliland As anticipated, enemy columns halted after capturing HARGEISA and OADWEINA and air reconnaissance reports little movement around these places. In area BURAO and to the East situation reported normal. Kenya and. Palestine Nothing to report. MINISTRY OF INFORMATION 8.8.40 No. 22. NOT TO BE PUBLISHED BEFORE THE MORNING PAPERS OF MONDAY AUGUST 12 NOT TO BE ISSUED ON CLUB TAPES, OR BROADCAST BEFORE 7 a.m. ON MONDAY AUGUST 12 OFFICIAL ADMIRALTY COMMUNIQUE The Secretary of the Admiralty regrets to announce the following casualties the loss of which has already been announced. in H.M.S. DELIGHT, OFFICERS Wounded Commander M. Fogg-Elliott, D,S,O», R.N., (in command). Midshipman R.T. Hale, R.N.R, Mr. S.VZ.G. Hubbert, Gunner(T) R.N. RATINGS Died of Wounds ATKINS, L.J.M. Ordinary Seaman DAY, C. Leading Seaman p/jx 133111 HOMBERG, Ernest Ordinary Seaman,R.N.S*R. S.R. 8682 JENKINSON, A, Able Seaman P/JX 142175 WILIER, Harold Able Seaman P/J 1279 MORGAN, Richard Able Seaman P/J 99632 Wounded ACKERLEY, Joseph Leading Signalman D/JX 137599 H. Stoker P/KX 91740 ALEXANDER, ALIEN, Albert Stoker P/KX 84941 ANDREWS, James Stoker P/KX 101297 ANDREWS, John Telegraphist p/107123 ARKLE, Thomas Stoker Petty Officer p/K 66611 BAX, Frederick Able Seaman p/j 94561 BELL, George Able Seaman c/ssx 21690 BEL.I-!, J* A* Stoker Potty Officer C/K 64923 BONE, Wilfed G. Petty Officer P/JX 130743 BRISTOW, John Stoker P/KX 92915 BROW, William Stoker CLAYTON, John H. Engine-room Artificer p/te 161786 CUSSEN, John J. Able Seaman P/J 96524 DICKINSON, H.C.C. Stoker P/K 62802 DICKSON, Hugh Electrical Artificer P/M 36777 DIMON j, Norman Able Seaman P/JX 140759 FARRAR, H.J. Stoker p/kx 92640 FINDLAY, Robert Cook P/MX 60770 GLAZIER, Arthur Stoker F/K 65842 HARRISON, Frank Leading Stoker P/KX 80022 HARRISON, Jonathan Leading Seaman p/jx 151287 HINTC , John Able Seaman P/J 95827 HOARE, Charles Supply Petty Officer P/W 38261 HUBBERT, Gunner R,N< Jackson, Leslie Engine-room .Artificer C/MX 48689 JACKSON, Sidney R. Able Seaman C/SSX 27718 JOHNSON, Ernest J, Ordinary Seaman JONES John Able Seaman p/ssx 21703 Jones, Kenneth Stoker P/KX 96363 Ordinary Seaman KINDERSLEY, E.M. LARBY, John Able Seaman P/J 51915 LAURIE, James H. Telegraphist P/JX 148843 LEONARD, Joseph Stoker P/KX 92989 LESAUTERIUR, William Able Seaman p/jx 127*57 LONGDEN, Horace Leading Sick-Berth Attendant P/MX 51510 MCGARRON, James Able Seaman c/ssx 21711 MERWOOD, Frederick Engine-room Artificer P/MX 47326 Cntd Over Page MILLS? Ralph Able Seaman P/JX 128035 MORRIS, A.T o Able Seaman c/ssx 27523 OSGOOD, Sidney Leading Seaman P/J 103731 PORTER, Ho Able Seaman p/jx 131425 RICHES, Benjamin Able Seaman C/SSX 28225 SIDDLE, Arthur Petty OfficerTelegraphist p/jx 127609 SINNOTT., Thomas Leading Seaman p/jx 130480 SMITH, James M» Able Seaman p/jx 138633 SOUTHWORTH, Kenneth Telegraphist p/ssx 31451 SPENCER, Sidney Able Seaman P/J 106903 TREAGUS, Alfred J, Stoker Petty Officer P/KX 75554 TROTTER, Samuel Able Seaman C/SSX 21685 TURNER, Jack F» Stoker p/kx 91765 VIGOR, Albert E, Stoker p/k 56581 WARNE, Oliver Able Seaman P/JX 1314141 WATERFIELD, Derryck Able Seaman P/JX 150892 WHITE, John W 9 Leading Stoker P/KX 81910 WILLIS, Charles Stoker p/kx 86649 WOOLNCUOH, Thomas E. Able Seaman P/JX 155580 ADMIRALTY S.W. 1. 8/8/40 - No. 23. CAMOUFLAGE OF MOTOR VEHICLES. The Secretary to the Ministry of Transport makes the following announcements - The Minister of Transport desires it to be known that there is at present no intention of requiring owners of vehicles to repaint or otherwise treat them so as to render them less conspicuous. Should they wish to do so voluntarily, however, they are asked to pay particular attention to the following guiding principles. (1) Avoid glossy surfaces and light colours. (2) Adopt any neutral colour other than the greys and khaki employed by the Services. (3) Above all, don’t copy the Army style. It is most important that vehicles should not be camouflaged in such a way as to render them liable to be mistaken for vehicles in the service of the Armed Forces, and the Minister is making an Order to this effect* MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT. Press Notice: for publication morning papers Friday August 9j 1940. " SUPPLY MINISTER SAYS "KEEP AT IT’ After nearly three months of splendid response to his appeal for "Work at war speed", Mr. Herbert Morrison has sent another message to men and women working for the Ministry of Supply, urging them to "Keep at it J" The message is being circulated to all members of the Ministry ‘of Supply, and to the managements and workers in all arms factories. Mr. Morrison says: Since the enemy invaded Holland and Belgium you have done a magnificent job. We all know how, during all these hard and trying weeks, you men and women in the arms factories, management and workers alike, have "Gone to it" without sparing yourselves. You have shown yourselves fully worthy of our aimed forces and of the cause for which we fight. Your resolution and staying power have daunted encouraged our enemies and our friends; you have helped to show the whole world what the spirit of the nation really is. We are all proud of you. Now, to those whose weekly working hours it has been possible to reduce, I would add a word. I am glad that the change has been possible. You need relief, if ever men and women did. But the time has not come to relax the intensity of your personal efforts while you are on the job. We are not yet as strong as we need to be and mean to be. Tile enemy is losing no time and the need is still great. You will not fall short of the splendid standard you have set yourselves. I appeal to you, in complete confidence as to your response, to go on giving of your very best. War is an endurance test and we, who know that right is on our side, will last out longest. KEEP AT IT* Ministry of Supply, Press Office, Adelphi, W.C.2. Bth August 1940. K.849. 8/8/40 - No. 25. MEMO TO SUB-EDITORS RELEASED FOR PUBLICATION AFTER 9*35 THIS As this script is being issued, in (THURSDAY) EVENING (AUGUST 8, 194-0). advance it will be necessary to check it against the broadcast at 9.20 this (Thursday) evening. WAR COMMENTARY BY GENERAL SIR WALTER KIRKE, G.C.B. C.M.G., D.S.Q., A.D.C. HOMS SERVICE: THURSDAY, Bth AUGUST, 1940 : 9>20 - 9*55 p.m. I wish to be quite frank so I must tell you that the views I am going to express are my own, and not necessarily those of anyone else. I am going to start by saying a few words about the situation in North Africa, which is now coming into the headlines. ♦ Hitherto have been engaged in comparatively small operations.against our troops the Italians, but carried out in very trying conditions of heat, dust and flies. Dominating everything, of course, is the question of water. to If you have never lived in this sortcountry it may surprise of you know that it is not the wonderful days of an English spring, or the glories of an English summer that the British soldier longs for. No J what he hankers after is the foggy drizzle of a wet, raw English winter morn- ing with plenty of puddles and mud about. Let me try and give you a picture of the western desert. Take Alexandria as a starting point, which is west of Port Said and is the anchorage of the British Fleet. As we go westwards from Alexandria there is only one road and one railway along the narrow strip of sand which is . only occasionally cultivated between the sea and the desert. We are confined,/to' one road and one railway. The railway ends at Marsa Ma'ta'uh* which is about as far from Alexandria as York is from London. That gives you an idea of thesort of distances with which we are dealing. Marsa Matruh is the main centre of the British Troops in the western desert, and here the railway ends. • Beyond, the road runs across a dazzling desert of white sand with only a few small wells, up to our frontier post of Solium, and Solium is about as far on from Marsa Matruh as Berwick is from York. At Solium the water is only sufficient for a small force. Beyond is Italian Libya and the enemy. Inland from the sea thenp along the frontier, the Italians had built a series of forts connected by a broad ’wire entanglement, and it was these forts which we raided and captured at the outbreak of ’hostilities with very little loss. Mussolini has a very large white garrison in Libya, and he no longer has to guard the French in Tunis far away to -the west. He was naturally rather peeved at our and sent forces to impertinence up considerable re-occupy and hold”his frontier forts. This of ..course, suited us quite well, because it increased the supply difficulties for the Italians remember - the dust, flies, heat and want of water and it meant that - they constantly had to send forward supply columns. These have provided excellent targets for our mechanised troops, of which they have taken full advantage. In these operations our men have shorn great daring and initiative, but they have been minor operations, not vitally affecting the main problem. At the moment I do not suppose that we have any desire to undertake all the difficulties of advancing across the desert against superior forces,particularly as Italian communications with the homeland ore much shorter than ours. The initiative rests with the enemy and it is for him and not us to solve the problem of crossing the desert, as he has got to do if he wants to reach the fertile part of Egypt and eventuallji the Suez Canal. Until he does reach the canal his position in Abyssinia is not too happy. A few years ago one would have said that the operation the Italians have got to undertake namely to cross the western desert of - Egypt - was impossible one, but an conditions have been altered by the great range of armoured vehicles. They can operate freely the hard over desert sand, and they can be supported and supplied by air, within limits. The Italians have had considerable experience of such in operations Abyssinia and they have all the of the technique and resources Germans behind them. /Over 2 the operation would be difficult but, if Hitler cracks his whip, Obviously a one, Mussolini may have to jump into the collar, and from the shelter of the armoured train which Hitler gave him,, he may succeed in dragging patient, peace-loving Italians into one more desperate adventure. will the broader aspects of the So much for North Africa. I now turn to war* If you study British hi story you will find that every war in which we have been engaged has started badly. This is because we cling to the idea of peace to the last possible moment and are never fully prepared for war. This war was hardly likely be to an exception. For many years Germany had been devoting the whole of her immense energies to preparing for war and for nothing else. Working on a consistent policy and a carefully calculated time-table, only possible to a dictator, Hitler arrived at a position from which he could hurl an immense and overwhelming armament against his selected victim his at selected moment. At the same time, he maintained the element of surprise by giving, the most solemn assurances of liis goodwill and friendly, intentions to his intended victims. Compared with Hitler, Ananias was an amateur. Unlike Germany, we allotted only a very limited proportion of the national income to defence; consequently it was a question of priority as between the Navy, the Army and the Air Force. With our world-wide Empire we adhered, and as I think rightly adhered, to our traditional policy of giving priority to our Navy. This is because command of the sea is absolutely essential if we are ever to bring our full strength to bear. This was a long term policy and it left very little in the till with which to prepare our land and air forces to face the German hordes on land. As a matter of fact, we sent considerably more to France than we ever promised. Our chivalrous efforts to aid those who appealed to us for help as they were in turn attacked - Norway, 'Holland, Belgium - added to our responsibilities and our difficulties. In other words, our peace time strategy was a long term one, and I suppose' we accepted the probability that we might have to go through a bad time to begin with. We have no cause to be surprised or discouraged, therefore, because this has actually happened, or even if we suffer further setbacks, as for a time we well may do. Remember, the first or even two are always the worst for us. Our year, years, chief regret must be that we could not do more to help our friends; though eventually we shall. Hitler, on the other hand, lias had a series of wonderful successes. He has collected most of the arms and equipment in Europe outside Russia, and if the war were he the to stop now would be well on way to world domination. The situation reminds me of a frontier expedition where so long as one is advancing everything is simple. It is only when one stops that troubles begin, and if one lias to withdraw, everyone gets up and bites Hitler’s position is very you. similar. His armies are scattered over an enormous area, amongst bitterly hostile populations, who are only waiting; waiting for the day when the tide will turn. In Germany itself, that must the feelings of the women be, with their men so far away. We know that they are suffering great privations; we know they are haunted by the fear of air raids, which Goering promised could never, never happen. The lying propaganda, of Goebbels is the best possible proof that the German Government dare not let the people know the real truth. Apparently the Germans can’t take it. If we have our difficulties, so has Hitler, and not theleast is the prospect of a starving Europe. He lias got to do something, and the question is, what is it going to be? Obviously a successful invasion of Great Britain, if it put an end to the war by knocking us out, would solve all his troubles. But there are certain difficulties in the way:- In the past, as Napoleon found to his cost, the first essential was local naval superiority. This is stillfor any invasion on a large scale, and Hitler’s true failure to seize the Trench Fleet seems to have made that very, very difficult. Nowadays, too, it is important, as we found in Norway, to have local air superiority as well, otherwise a fleet is exposed to great dangers Our situation in • tliis respect is improving daily. 3 There remains the possibility of landing troops from the air, which, combined with every dirty trick and aided b3 r shameful treachery, was so successful in Norway and Holland. But in Holland the troops landed from the air were immediately followed by masses of armoured vehicles moving forward on the ground. In our case they cannot do this and as they cannot be brought by air they must come by sea, and run the gauntlet of the British Navy. And if by some new stratagem or device a German army did reach this island, what would it find? Over a million first-line troops, under able and experienced commanders, only too anxious to meet the enemy in such favourable con- ditions ; so to speak, on the home ground land backed by more than another million Home Guards, In war nothing is certain,, It is true that Hitler’s failure to stop the B.EiF. from getting away from Dunkirk was a bad setback to any ideas of invasion, but he is a fearless gambler with other men’s lives, and the Prime Minister has told us that we must not relax our efforts. The Royal Navy and the R.A.F. arc showing what they can do, day in and day out* Meanwhile, the Army in this country is awaiting its opportunity, and all units arc ready to show once more that their gallantry and resolution are not inferior to that of their comrades in the other services. I hope they will not be disappointed, for they are all hoping to enrich the world by removing some at least of those who are polluting it, Nor should we forgot the splendid contingents from the Dominions who are burning to have a blow at Hitler and all his works, 'The Allied contingents, too, Czechs, Polos, Norwegians, Dutch, Belgians, French, they all have the best of reasons for wanting to get their own back. Talking of invasions, you may have heard of the last invasion of Britain nearly 150 years ago, An officer of the name of Tate landed at Fishguard with a force from France, but the inhabitants promptly removed all the horses and other means of transport, which prevented his troops from leaving the beach. Eventually the appearance of some Welsh women in their red cloaks end tall black hats decided him to give up the unequal contest. The Germans majr learn a lesson fromthis. They won’t find any transport cither, but they will find something much more formidable than ladies, however strikingly attired. If Hitler shies off invasion what can he do? He may, and certainly will, raid us from the air in greater and greater strength, but we believe that we can face this, at least as well as the Germans arc likely to face our retaliation. Leaving that aside, is there any other alternative? The: • are, of course, several: There is the possibility of seizing bases from ’Which to intensify the blockade of these islands., that might add to our shipping losses and mean real privation, but it will not bring Hitler’s promised peace, this year or even next* The same applies to any adventures in Africa. All the same, they are definite possibilities which we may have to face. Another alternative lies to the Last, here there is plenty of what Germany most wants - Russian wheat and Rumanian oil. If Hitler could get them it would do something to remedy/ the balance of resources which is so heavily in our favour. 4 He has apparently gef, a stranglehold on Rumania and seems quite ready to give bits away with both hands to pacify various claimants. The wheat country is another matter: it belongs to Russia. It would be foolish for a layman to try and forecast the trend of events in the Balkans and I am not going to attempt to do it, but out of ell the conflicting rumours and reports one fact seems to emerge, that is, that for Germany an Eastern front is steadily forming. Any advance by Hitler eastwards must hasten the process. We have not turned any corners, and the road we have to travel is straight and long and hard. But, when we look beyond the imposing facade of Hitler’s successos, we have solid grounds for believing that British determination and-stayiirg’pdWcif wi£T“ down and pull us through. Whatever the difficulties, we mean to win.’ BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION. 8/8/40 - No. 26 GIFTS Lord Lloyd has expressed deep appreciation to the War Fund Committee of Uganda for the first instalment of £22,500 contributed voluntarily by the people of Uganda for war purposes# Lord Beaverbrook has thanked the people of Nyasaland for their magnificent gift of £32,850. He adds: ”We shall put the money to good use in aircraft of the most powerful type to adding the squadrons. The wings with which you equip us will carry destruction to the enemy and bear peace with victory to all the peoples of the Empire.” Lord Beaverbrook, expressing gratitude through the High Commissioner for the Malay States for recent generous gifts for the purchase of aircraft, said; ’’Rejoicing in the devotion and loyalty of the Empire, our people stand dauntless at the post of danger, and when the battle breaks your aircraft will be foremost in the fight.” A second contribution of £lO,OOO from Northern Rhodesia has been acknowledged by Lord Beaverbrook.. Contributions to this fund are £3,500 from the North Western Farmers Co-operative Society, £3,000 from the Roan Antelope Recreation Club, the mine employees and residents of Luanshya, and £l,OOO from Nkana-Kitwe National Service League. H.M. Government acknowledges £5,000 for war purposes from policy holders of the Barbados Mutual Life Assurance Society. COLONIAL OFFICE PRESS SECTION Air Ministry Bulletin Nb a . 8.8.40 No. 27. Air Ministry News Service KIEL RAIDED IN ICE AND MIST. R.A.F. bombers which raided Kiel last night became so covered in ice that several of them could not climb Yet others in the e squadron flew on through very bad weather and found and attacked the naval dockyard* One pilot who tried in vain to locate his targets reported tersely ”ice accretion experienced. Control froze and temporarily rendered aircra t unserviceable. Cloud made' identification of anjr of the targets impossible,, Very dark,”, This pilot was later forced to jettison his bombs in the sea c Another of the raiders, baffled by thick cloud as he attempted to find his primary target, found his.aircraft so weighted with ice that it could not climb effectively e Yet the pilot found an enemy aerodrome and unloaded his bombs despite this handicap. Those who reached Kiel found themselves over their objective in mist and thick low clouds,. Through gaps.in the drifting cloud the raiders identified the dockyards and bombed them 0 At one stage a series of explosions was observed., During the hour that the raid lasted the 1- vbers were continuously engaged by the gtounldefences a Just north of Kiel all lights on the aerodrome at Holtenau were extinguished after the first salvo of bombs had been dropped near the flare path, and at the aerodrome at Husum, further to the north west, bombs fell on the landing ground Here again ground defences put up a strong barrage* One of the raiders replied with a salvo and in his words, own "A battery which had been active was thereafter greatly subdued”,, AIR MINISTRY AIR MINISTRY No. 1312. 8/8/40 - No.29. AIR MINISTRY COMMUNIQUE Yesterday (Wednesday) R.A.F. bombers carried out daylight attacks on enemy-occupied aerodromes at Cherbourg and at Hamstede in Holland. At night our bombers, though hampered again by poor weather, attacked the Homburg oil plant, the Kiel Dockyards, store depots at Hamm and a number of aerodromes in North-West Germany. All our aircraft returned safely. Coastal Command report the loss of one aircraft engaged on reconnaissance over the Norwegian Coast yesterday. 8/8/40 - No. 30. PRESS NOTICE. The Minister of Aircraft Production records with joy and gratitude that the contributions received from the public for the purchase of air- craft now stand at a total of £ 2, 4 0 7, 4 3 4 MINISTRY OF-AIRCRAFT - PRODUCTION; 8/8/40) - NO. 31 OFFICIAL ADMIRALTY COMMUNIQUE The secretary of the Admiralty regrets to announce that - H.M. Submarine OSWALD (Lieutenant-Commander D.A. Fraser, R.N.), which lias been operating in Mediterranean waters, is overdue and must now be considered lost. The Italian Ooi’.imunique has stated that fifty-two officers and men, including the Commanding Officer, of this submarine are prisoners of war and unhurt. The total complement of H.M.S. OSWALD was five officers and fifty ratings. The next-of-kin have been informed. ADMIRALTY, s«w, i; 8/8/40 - No. 32. ADMIRALTY AND AIR MINISTRY COMMUNIQUE Enemy attacks on one of our convoys in the Channel were made in the dark hours early this morning by E-boats. During these attacks one .E-boat was sunk and another damaged® Three coasting vessels in the convoy were struck by torpedoes and sank. Air attacks on this convoy began this morning and were renewed at intervals throughout the day. The results of the enemy bombing attacks are not fully known but several ships have received considerable damage, the extent of which it has not yet been possible to ascertain. A number of survivors and injured have already been landed. The attacking enemy forces consisted of large numbers of dive- bombers, accompanied by single and twin engined fighters. As each attack developed the enemy formations were heavily engaged by squadrons of ft A* F. fighters. Severe losses were inflicted on the enemy, of which full reports are not yet available, but it is already confirmed that fifty-three enemy aircraft have been destroyed® Sixteen of our fighter pilots are at present reported missing. ADMIRALTY . S. W. 1. AIR MINISTRY NEWS SERVICE. 8/8/40. - No. 33. CHANNEL AIR BATTLE heaviest since the air. The German Air Force today suffered their losses war round our coasts began. Nineteen Junkers 87 dive bombers and thirty-four Messerschmitt fighters - fifty three in all - were destroyed by Hurricanes and Spitfires over the English Channel. They were shot down during a series of attacks on convoys which lasted from nine in the morning till five in the evening. Sixteen of our fighters are missing. A Hurricane squadron in three fights sent twenty-one enemy aircraft crashing into the sea a One was shot down by a Polish pilot in action with the Fighter Oommand for the first time. The day's main air battle was fought in three parts. The first German attack cn a convoy took place between 9 and 9.30 in the morning, when six Junkers 87 dive bombers and three Messerschmitts were destroyed by the Hurricane Squadron which was moat successful in the day’s engagements. A second attack on the same convoy by a still larger formation of dive-bombers’ andescorting fighters developed between 11 30 a.m, and I.p m, Finally, throwing a o nearly 150 dive-bombers and. fighters into the battle, the Germans made a third attack between 4 and 5 p e m. The Hurricane squadron which destroyed twenty-one German raiders was in all three actions. In a few’ hours they became the squadron with the biggest "bag" of enemy aircraft in home defence. Tne...r squadron leader describing one of the fights said that the sky ever the convoy was "literally black" with German bombers and fighters. After the first morning battle the Polish flying officer (who speaks very little English) told, with the teip of his fellow pilots, how he saw; his first large formation of Junkers 87s supported by the new Heinkel 113 fighters. "I was attacked" he said, "by three Heinkel 113s, who seemed to be working to , a plan - one flying alone and the other two as a pair, If you attack the pair, the single one trier? to get on your tail.," He tackled the single Heinkel 113 and watched it go down smoking, though he was not able to see a final crash., The other two flew off. It was during the last battle of the afternoon that this Polish pilot got his first Messerschmitt 109. Here is a description of the first action today by the squadron leader of the most successful Hurricane squadron. * "We climbed to 16,000 feet and looking down, saw a large formation of Junkers 87s approaching from the sun, with Messerschmitt 109’s stepped up behind to 20,000 feet. "We approached unobserved out of the sun and went in to attack the rear Junkers 87s before the enemy fighters could interfere. I gave a five-seconds burst to one bomber and broke off to engage two Messerschmitt 109’ s. "There was a dog fight. The enemy fighters were half-“rolling and diving and zooming in climbing turns. They were painted silver. "I fired two five-seconds bursts at one and saw it dive into the sea. Then I followed another up in a zoom and caught him as he stalled. !, A flight lieutenant in the same squadron managed to bring down tro Junkers 87s, though his engines had stopped. "I was forced to retire owing to engine failure, but dived down on a Junkers 87. After a three-or-four minute burst it went into an inverted dive and crashed into the sea. 2 "My engine started again, so I went after another Junkers 87 and attacks him before he vzas able to make his dive-bombing attack on the convoy. He div into the sea at high speed. "After this second attack, my engine stopped? for good, and I only just back to England". He managed to land at a nearby aerodrome. In the second battle of the day three Hurricanes of this squadron met te Messerschmitt 110 s and shot three of the Messerschmitt and a Messerschmitt 1091 down into the sea. The Messerschmitt 109 vzas being used as a decoy. While the Hurricanes were tackling it,the Messerschmitts 110 s were supposed to take them by surpris’ But, as one of the Hurricane pilots said, "the Messerschmitt 109 over-ac' his part." While this part of the battle was going on a Spitfire squadron was carry: the fight over to the French coast. They chased seven Messerschmitts 109 s ovt the Channel and destroyed six of them. Then, as a finishing touch one of them fired at a German motor torpedo**b off Calais. "Several of the crew fell overboard"he said. 8/8/40 - NO: 34. CORRECTION TO AIR MINISTRY BULLETIN NO. 1313 Paragraph beginning: ”1 was forced to retire owing to engine ilure.substitute ”after a three or four seconds burst” 7 stead of ”three or four minutes”. R AFFAIRS 8/8/40 MINISTRY OF INFOR M A TI 0 N NEWS BULLETIN NO. 6 CEREMONY AT LONDON HOME FOR BELGIAN REFUGEES A moving ceremony took place this morning at a home for Belgian refugees in Hampstead, iron de Cartier de Marchienne, the Belgian Ambassador, paid a visit to the hostel an! to le school which has been established there through private initiative on the part of some felgian people. Ladies of the W.V.S. were present, and among them Mrs, Widderson, who lias had a great hare in organising the Home. The Ambassador was greeted by a little girl in French, then y a refugee boy in Flemish, and finally by the Belgian Headmaster. The Ambassador hanked all those who had taken part in the organisation of this school, which now numbers hundred and five pupils, and where the main subject of study is the English language, oreign Office News Department on behalf of the Belgian Embassy 11,0,1. 1 HE FOLLOWING BOARD OF TRADE NOTICE IS NOT FOR PUBLICATION OR BROADCAST BEFORE FRIDAY MORNING 9TH AUGUST. 1940 TRADING WITH THE ENEMY The Board of Trade announce that they have made a new Order which revokes all previous rading with the Enemy (Specified Persons) Orders. The new Order contains the names of in neutral countries with whom it is unlawful to have dealings of 000 in bonds Fifty-six Canadians a sum interest to the Dominion’s effort. bearing no help war Indians of the Winterbum and Wabamun Reserves are giving <£&o6 of their personal contributed the rental fee from funds to the war effort. The Winterbum Indians have the Defence Department for the Rifle range on their reserve. Bringing Home the Bacon Over £4,000,000 worth of Canadian bacon and hams had been shipped to Britain up to the middle of June. "No of in the world," the Chairman of the Bacon Board "have a group people says in the than Canadian farmers* We must do everything greater economic interest war - to ensure its successful conclusion and disregard every other economic factor". the Minister of Agriculture Canada is in better position than According’.to a ever to supply foodstuffs to the United Kingdom - Dominions & Colonial Offices Press Section M. 0.1, M.0.1., Mews Bulletin No. 63 - Page 3* MORE GIFTS FOR AIRCRAFT. The Minister of Aircraft Production acknowledges with gratitude the following gifts of aircraft:- Birmingham Telegraph Office .................. £5. 10. 0. Tetton Hall C.E. School, nr. Wolverhampton. .......... £3. 0. 0. Staff of Longbridge Laundry Ltd., Northfield, Birmingham. ... £2. 0.0. Accountancy Dept., Rolls Royce £10. 10. 0. Northfield Ward (Women’s) Unionist Association. ... £1. 7. 0. Ronald & Norma Leeuw, Myddelton Square. E.C.l ........ . 6. 0. Nursing Staff of the Green-lane Infirmary, Patricroft, Manchester £3. 10. 0. Alfred Woodger, Window-cleaner, Southbourne, Hants ., . . . .. 10. 0. Oddfellows Club and Institute, Anglesey Road, S.E.18 £4. 4. 0. ’’The Ladies of King’s Terrace", Hull ....... ...... £7. 7. 0. Nursing and Domestic Staff of Whipps Cross Hospital ,Leytonstone £20. 0. 0. Staff of Marks & Spencer, Burton-on-Trent ........... £1. 10. 0. The Misses Boulter-Cooke, Hastings. . . £5. 0. 0. Ministry of Aircraft Production M.0.1. 7« CONTROL OF HOME-GROWN THRESHED PEAS. An Order will be made the Minister of Food at early date for the by an purpose of bringing under control marketing and -rice of home-grown threshed peas sold for the human consumption. The Order will prescribe the maximum price payable to growers, and and retail prices for dried home-grown peas sold loose or also maximum wholesale pre-packeted. The maximum price to be paid to a grower will, except where a licence is issued providing for payment at a different rate, be 38/- per cwt. ex farm, approximately £9 per quarter of cwts. The Order will prohibit any person other than a retailer from dealing in home- he is licensed by the Minister as a grown threshed peas unless dealer in home-grown Growers will be prohibited from selling peas except to licensed dealers. peas. Applications from merchants, pea-pickers, earners, packeters and wholesale grocers for licences to deal in threshed should be sent to the Ministry of home-grown peas Pood, Cereals Division, 10, Smith Square, London, S.W.I. - Ministry of Food. M. 0.1. 8.