FOREIGN PRESS REVIEW DAILY SURVEY OF WORLD COMMENT ON THE WAR COMPILED FROM TELEGRAPHIC REPORTS RECEIVED BY THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION No.89. 29th April, 1940 BELGIUM: HERR RIBBENTROP'S von "GROTESQUE DISPLAY" The B e lgian Press reacts very strongly to Herr von Ribbentrop's address to diplomats and opinion of most newspapers is journalists in Berlin, and the not dissimilar from that expressed in LE FEUPLE, the Left-wing organ, which writes today: "The diplomatic display organised by Ribbentrop on Saturday was so pitiful and grotesque that international opinion's chief reaction is to ask what was its real purpose. "The speech's only real unexpected feature was the praise accorded t* Sweden after the violent campaign directed against her by the inspired German Press." The paper concludes by suggesting that after finding threats unavailing 'the Reich resorts to flattering Sweden' but prophesies that such a policy is equally foredoomed to failure. the Conservative LIBRE BELGIQUE, organ, declares: "It is not only Norway's fate that is at stake but the fate of all neutrals who might find themselves in the same situation. Are the neutrals by an explicit approbation, or a silence equivalent to a tacit agreement, going to reinforce with their authority Ribbentrop's thesis that the Reich was justified in invading two neutral countries? Nothing in the speech justifies, or even seeks to excuse Denmark's invasion." Pointing out that B lgiurn has never permitted a preventive occupation e by a belligerent 'and never will', the writer concludes: "Two neutral countries have been invaded. Against one the Reich admits that she has no complaints. Against the other she invokes complaints which she knew nothing about when her game was killing the first Norwegian soldiers. The Berlin harangue can decidedly never usefully serve Reich propaganda in neutral countries." Declaring that Herr von Ribbentrop's speech was heralded as an event of the greatest imp ortance, DAG added: "With the best will in the world., we cannot agree. It is only one more attempt to influence neutral opinion," The a' Liberal * Antwerp newspaper MATIN, organ, stated: "Ribbentrop s notorious revelations of Norwegian treason repetition of the are an exact Barnardiston affair exploited by Germany against Belgium after the 191 M invasion. The fatuity of such a Who could believe manoeuvre can only deceive children. that Norway, after deciding to throw in her lot with the Allies, would let herself be surprised by a German attack?" Discussing British military plans claimed to have been captured by the Germans, VOLKSGAZET wrote yesterday: "We should, have indeed wondered if British military plans for landing in Norway had not existed. The Allies had to reckon with German invasion. It is is carried out a possible only when such a plan and International Law is broken that openly reprobation is justified. "What the Nazis do not realise is that small nations prefer peaceful culture to spectacular military activity. But they are always ready to do their utmost to defend their independence. " FOREIGN PRESS REVIEW DAILY SURVEY OF WORLD COMMENT ON THE WAR COMPILED FROM TELEGRAPHIC REPORTS RECEIVED BY THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION No. 89. 29th April, 1940 SUDDEN: PROBLEM OF RUSSIA’S ATTITUDE. That Russia’s experience in the against Finland war may have caused Stalin to adopt a more careful attitude was the view expressed by SVENSKA DAGBLADHT, the Swedish Conservative in of the newspaper, an analysis present situation in Northern Europe. This paper pointed out that the German attack on Norway had transferred attention from East to West but this did not mean that the position in the East does not interest Sweden. "Russia prepared to observe the Moscow peace and. no appears difficulties remain unsolved between Russia and Finland," it was added. "Stalin's unpleasant experience in the Finnish war taught him to be more care- ful in future. The Finnish made Russia but war more dependent on Germany immediately peace was concluded Russia became less friendly *to the Reich and denied all reports of a Rome-Berlin-Moscow triangle." The reasons why Germany invaded. Norway were sought by the NYA DAGLIGT ALLEHANDA, which wrote yesterday: "The reasons for the attack cannot have been economic considerations for Britain can only be blockaded in the Atlantic the loss of Scandinavia does not affect British Prom the economy. - strategic viewpoint what benefit can Germany derive from bases in Norway when the number of her surface vessels has been reduced by 50 percent? There are somewhat better possibilities for submarines but the construction of submarine bases is a lengthy task. The Germans maintain that their action was preventive -to prevent a British occupation of Norway. But even if the Germans believe this they must realise that an Allied occupation of Norway would not provide great strategic advantages for the Allies and as regards the iron- «re question, the iron fields lie in Sweden and not in Norway," The article concluded by declaring that the Norwegian campaign must not be expected, to be short or decisive. writing in AFTONBLADET, Observator considered that a German occupation of Norway was not vital for the Reich and it ‘was unlikely that Germany would undertake the adventure of an attack on Sweden. He added that an attack on Sweden by the Allies was not likely in view of an immediate German intervention and the fact that public opinion would be aroused if the Powers fighting for the principles of justice were flagrantly to violate international law. The Liberal newspaper., DAGNNS NYHETER, referring to the German attitude to the Swedish Press declared, that a country which does not allow Press freedom within its frontiers could wish to tolerate it in own scarcely a neighbour’s, and added: "It is absolutely clear that a country wishing to retain independence cannot surrender the freedom of expression in its relations with foreign powers. As an independent people we have the unconditional right to discuss and criticise conditions outside our borders which can influence us and our fate. Such a discussion is not intended to interfere with other Powers’ internal affairs but aims at protecting us against interference from outside. "The Swedish people are determined to defend democratic ideals and it is regrettable if such will to self-defence is a misinterpreted by a foreign But it is clear that criticism of power. foreign povrers during serious times must be subjected to restraint.... But if attached to the even dangers axe absolute freedom of expression it is also dangerous to allow the Government to intervene to stifle freedom of expression." FOREIGN PRESS REVIEW DAILY SURVEY OF WORLD COMMENT ON THE WAR COMPILED FROM TELEGRAPHIC REPORTS RECEIVED BY THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION No. 89 29th April 1940 ITALY: PRO-GERMAN ATTITUDE CONTINUED. The Italian Press continues to present Scandinavian events from a pro-German view-point and London messages report "depression" in Britain over Scandinavian news. In a leading article, which alleged that Great Britain was responsible for the extension of the war to Norway, RELAZIONI INTERLLiZIONALI stated: "The strategical error committed by Britain in extending the war to Scandinavia appears ever more grave," This out that until the mines laid off Norway, the journal pointed were but British Fleet could apply the blockade against Germany from a distance, now it is forced into the open sea. had the Allies had to intervene to protect Naval "Yet once Germany acted, aviation bases," "Hence this at Gallipoli which and it was added. attempt a new , 'will not be less gigantic less disastrous than the other," perhaps, or out PORZE AEKATE, in an article entitled "Preparatory Phase", pointed yester- that the Allied otherwise, in overcoming the day everything depended on success, or German initial advantage. This journal added that the Norwegian defence "galvanised by the presence of the Allied troops, is showing itself more active," to the attitude of the Italian Press, FORZE ARI.iATE continued: Referring the attitude of the "It is natural that the belligerents should be concerned by those non-belligerent Press, owing to the inevitable propagandist attitude of in the The Italian Press invents nothing, and does not engaged conflict,, German defame the valour of the Allied fighting forces, merely reports actual but victories and presents the situation as more favourable to Germany than to the is high and forces face each other the the stake gigantic - Allies, However, therefore, will be of the sternest. The Italian Press will follow the struggle, conflict as it has done hitherto with its traditional honesty," has not opinion of the Press of Apparently the CORRIERE DELLa SERA a high the Western Powers, for this drew a distinction between the "moral level of paper the free-masonry and our newspapers and those of great Democracies which serve even the enemies of their country." A more reasoned view of events was taken by RSSTO DEL CaRLINO, which commented that while the situation was favourable to Germany at present "No forecast can be made." HOLLAND: END OE BRITISH AND U.S. "SPLENDID ISOLATION"? The policy of splendid isolation has ceased to exist for Great Britain, according to HET the of the Social Democratic Labour Party, VOLK, organ This journal wrote during the weekend: "The occupation of Denmark by the that Germans made the English Continental. Before, they only felt way when the Continent was in way or other mixing itself with Great -Britain's some affairs. Afterwards, they went back into their splendid isolation. "The Channel for Great Britain, what the Atlantic Ocean was for the was, United States. Splendid isolation does not exist any more for Great Britain - and how long yet will it exist for the United States?" FOREIGN PRESS REVIEW DAILY SURVEY OF WORLD COMMENT ON THE WAR COMPILED FROM TELEGRAPHIC REPORTS RECEIVED BY THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION 89 29th April, No. 1940 FRANCE: ALLIED SCANDINAVIAN ACTION’S EFFECT ON NEUTRALS. The of attitude in and other neutral countries since the Change Yugoslavia of in Scandinavia has been reviewed at length energetic action the Allies some in the French Press. Writing in the MATIN, Lauzanne declared: "The repercussions of the Scandinavian events less than startling,.... Nowhere has the change been on Europe are no so in Yugoslavia, Not only has H. Stoyadinovitch, who Germanophile complete as was and very been put under lock and key, but he is ;bout to be tried and a powerful, German ’tourists' being asked to leave the vast police purge is taking place * are three of German minorities having their homes and country within days. Leaders are offices searched, and for the first time for 10 years, the German Slovene minority has not celebrated Hitler’s birthday,...... has taken and the Parliament has openly challenged the "Hungary, too, courage Germans in In Bucharest, Dr. Clodius is packing. He will Hungary. carry away with him much disappointment, but little in the way of practical achievements. All that he can offer Berlin is an increase in the deliveries of goat-skins. The German army will need these in Norway, but there is no increase in wool, no increase in petrol, and the Reich will have to increase its coal exports by 40 percent. On the whole this commercial treaty is ’defensive', and contains undreamed of advantages - for Roumania, "In Ankara, Turkish loyalty had no need of stimulation, but Turkish indignation is in the Press. From the beginning hostilities, of* being freely expressed commercial relations with Germany had been considerably restricted. They are would apparently have contented him- now practically nil. Lastly, Herr von Papen self with a little chromium and some minerals. Turkey has definitely refused chromium and minerals. The Balkans have the reputation of being easily inflammable, but they present to Germany a front of ice„" Referring to Russia and Italy, the paper asked: "And the two great non- belligerents? Nothing precise is known of the U.S.S.R,. It would need a wise prophet to know whom she was preparing to betray. However, the Finnish papers point out that the Moscow Press is now publishing the official French and British communiques, which she had not done for months. Is this a measure of prudence or blackmail?,.,.,. From Italy, it is learnt that the Duce was surprised when he heard an orator in the Chamber of Corporations proclaim that Italy would have to enter the war on Germany’s side one day. This surprisevas comprehensible and was also felt by us. "Here the situation has been clearly defined by M.Pa ul Reynaud, both before the Parliamentary Commissions and in his conversations with the Italian Ambassador, From the beginning of September, France has declared herself to discuss with ready Italy in friendly conversations, the bases of questions outstanding between the two countries. We are still waiting for the reply." SWITZERLAND: RIBBEILTROP'S SPEECH A "DISAPPOINTMENT." Swiss newspapers are not impressed by Herr Yon Ribbentrop's. speech in Berlin and the BASLER NACHRICHTEN, the Liberal Democratic writes "The newspaper today: tension caused throughout the world by the announcement of an impending great event was a prize achievement for* German propaganda - but the event itself was a disappointment. The excerpts from the White Book which are as yet available are insufficient to prove anything*" Welcoming the Swiss Trade Treaty with Great Britain and France, VOLKSRECHT, the Zjtrich Social Democratic journal declares: "The news will be hailed throughout Switzerland with satisfaction and some relief." FOREIGN PRESS REVIEW DAILY SURVEY OF WORLD COMMENT ON THE WAR COMPILED FROM TELEGRAPHIC REPORTS RECEIVED BY THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION No. 89. 29th April, 1940 U.S.A: AIR POWER v. SEA POWER. The might of sea power as compared with air power is referred to in today’s NEW YORK TIMES which reaches the conclusion that ,as regards the Norwegian campaign, sea power has so far proved its ascendancy. In an editorial article this paper states: "The Germans have proved in Norway that a nation cannot be defended without an air force at least equal to the invaders’. The German land invaders have been able to make lightning thrusts because the defenders have their supply lines cut and their bases shattered. The first Allied fighters had apparently now reached N orway but they of are hampered by lack first-class bases, However, air power has lost the first round against sea power. " writing on the U. S. Presidential candidates and the American attitude towards the war the NEW YORK HERALD-TRIBUNE declares in an editorial article: "The one practical issue of the campaign may be the degree and kind of aid to be furnished to the Allies, Beyondthat the question is merely one of tendencies - how much to fear a Hitler victory, how much to risk to avoid shedding American blood, and whether policy should be bolder or more timid. The war problem will not be answered by debate but by the impact of events on an attitude already clearly defined." Discussing the Norwegian fighting this paper states: "The British may be taking chances but they are taking them with an that implies that energy " the Germans have their work cut out, Referring to the German Foreign Minister’s address to diplomats and journalists in Berlin, the ST, LOUIS GLOBE DEMOCRAT remarked: "Ribbentrop performed a clever feat of window-dressing but when he raised the curtain on his mysterious work of art the world audience was little impressed by what it saw. It was the same old Nazi propaganda in a different make-up. The rabbit he pulled out of his hat was a pathetic little thing, fuzzy with age " and all but lifeless, A similar attitude towards Herr von Ribbentrop was adopted by the WASHINGTON POST, which declared in an editorial article: "Ribbentrop spolce as though a whole perfectly co-ordinated scheme for the seizure of Denmark and Norway was first conducted when the British decided to lay mine-fields along the Norwegian Coast. A child could see that a German plan for the invasion was worked out in detail months ago. The Nazi technique throughout has been to plan coup in detail, a wait patiently for an excuse to put it into operation, to strike with lightning speed, as soon as a pretext was available and then to justify the aggression by emphasising the excuse, Ribbentrop merely echoed his master’s voice when he followed this formula. But this time the too thin to be effective with real excuse was thinking persons - it ignored too much. "The speech was that of a man seeking vainly to ease a guilty conscience. It sought in particular to persuade Americans that the Nazis were forced to do what they have done. It succeeded the that only in clarifying fact Hitler and his followers not troubled the are by moral scruples which restrain the more civilised statesmen of the Democracies, " FOREIGN PRESS REVIEW DAILY SURVEY OF WORLD COMMENT ON THE WAR FROM TELEGRAPHIC REPORTS RECEIVED BY THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION COMPILED No. 89 29th April, 1940 U.S.A. (Continued) Entitled "Command Performance cf an Unconvincing Drama", an editorial article in the BALTIMORE SUN stated: "Let us consider the case of Herr von Ribbentrop. wanted to have of the world fixed upon him. Naturally, he the eyes and ears So he Sailed a meeting of Diplomats and journalists in the Chancellory. The microphones were placed in position. Hook-ups were established and the world was waiting. When Herr von Ribbentrop began his prepared statement, the attention of the world was rivetted on him. If such a setting and suspense could attach importance to his words, they had it in full measure...... but the audience was bored." Germany's Food Position The food position in Germany was examined by Wythe Williams, writing in the BOSTON TRANSCRIPT. This writer declared: "Adolf Hitler, with his male population all under arms, except for the aged and infirm and those under low age, and with women doing the work, has about made up his mind that he cannot beat the Allied blockade - and that is bad. Today Europe is facing what may be the greatest famine in According to Russia and this season, history. every indication, Roumania, will have the worst crops in decades. "England and France can still import wheat from overseas, but Germany and Italy are almost entirely dependent on grains from Russia and the Balkans. The general mobilisation of all countries last autumn was followed by an extremely hard winter which has permitted only the minimum attention of the land, and makes a bad situation worse. The of a decline in the imports consequences of phosphates and agricultural raw materials are visible. The planting in Russia is far less than that of half a year ago - 7,000,000 hectares, against 18,000,000 in 1939 which was already below the normal average. > "Cautious official estimates in Roumania are that the harvest will be at least quarter less than last Considering that in the best a year. years Roumania could only export 20 percent of her crop, Germany's hopes of getting food from that quarter are slim. "Conditions in Hungary are no better than in Roumania— and Poland, normally the third among Europe's wheat growing countries, cannot raise enough grain to keep her inhabitants from starvation. Poland's best agricultural territory - the Ukraine, has been grabbed by Russia, who needs the grain for herself. Czechoslovakia and Austria were grain importers and are therefore no assets for Germany from the stand-point of the staff of life." A tribute to Britain*s preservation of freedom of speech even in wartime the BALTIMORE SUN, to small fines imposed who was paid by Referring on women had made speeches in a London street calling Mr. Chamberlain a ’warmonger*, and fines imposed on persons guilty of anti-senitic and other provocative public this remarked: "These and the disposition of them, serve speeches, paper cases remarkable to which Britain has preserved her only to emphasise the degree traditional liberties in wartime. It is tolerance of dissident opinions which with reflects calm, and it may be added, confidence. This is in strong contrast the extreme influence displayed in other European countries not even yet involved in armed conflict. 29/4/40 - No.1. FRENCH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE (Morning;) The following official communique was issued, from French G.H.Q. this morning:- NOTHING TO REPORT. 29.4.40 No, 2. ADMIRALTY OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. There is not the slightest • truth in the claim of the German High Command to have sunk or severely damaged during the past 48 hours 5 cruisers and 13 transports. In fact his determined attempt to render the waters of the Norwegian coast untenable have been attended with but slight results. H.M. Trawler HAMMOND, Skipper A, McKay, R.N.R., was damaged by a bomb, and subsequently sank, and H.M. Trawler LARWOOD also, Skipper P .J. Quinlan, R.N.R., was set on fire by an incendiary bomb. There wore no casualties in either vessel. Three more enemy supply ships have been torpedoed and sunk. ADMIRALTY, S.W.I, 29/4/40 - No. 3. The King has telegraphed to the Emperor of Japan a message of cordial greetings on the occasion of His Imperial Majesty’s birthday* FOREIGN OFFICE The to the of makes the announcement:- Secretary Ministry Transport following ROAD VEHICLES - NEW REGISTRATIONS* The number of mechanically-propelled road vehicles registered for the first time in Great Britain during the month of March, 1940 was 14,590 compared with 56,321 in March, 1949* The figures for the several classes weres- Description. 1940- 1939 Cars taxed horse- power. * on Exc. Not Exc. 10 h.p. 5.093 2 7,112 10 h»D* 15 1,180 8,800 H H 15 20 168 1,709 " rt 20 25 86 691 * 25 30 78 717 " 50 25 235 E1ectric ally-prop el1ed 1 - Miscellaneous - - Cars taxed on Horse -power - Total 6,611 39,264 Cycles Lithout With Without With Bieyles Trailer Trailer Trailer Trailer or or or or Exc. Not Exc, Sidecar Sidecar Sidecar Sidecar 150 c.c. 1,046 3 888 4 150 Op '> 1 c c o 250 CoC, 1,672 - 250 c,c. 301 40 2,868 935 Tricycles. i £ s cl ass -5 - yj 16 82 Cycles - Total 1,714 6,449 Hackneys Ex Co Not Exc. 8 seats 11 .3 392 * 8 seats 40 125 429- 40 >0 289 Hackney Vehicles - Total 336 1,110 Tractors. Agricultural 5 6 Showmen® s - - Other 11 19 Tractors - Total 16 25 Agricultural Engines (5/- class) 2,185 885 Exemot- Government Owned. 394 1,662 Other 575 119 Exempt Vehicles - Total 76 S 1,781 Goods Agricultural Vans and Lorries 58 107 Showmen's Spec ial Vehicles - 2 Local Authorityes 1 7 (Watering and cleansing). Other Goods Vehicl es;- Weight Unladen C Exc, Not Lx. 12 cwts. 345 1,203 12 CWts, 24- tons 1,925 5,454 2gr tons 5 217 449 5*- " 65 82 Other Goods Vehicles - Total 2,850 7,188 Grand Tot a]i 14,590 56,821 of Transport, Ministry Metropole Bui1dings, > Northumberland Avenue, London, W.C.2. 29th April, 1940 (3640). 29/4/40 - No.6. 29th April, 1940. The War Office issues the following Communique:- The position in the Gud.brandsdalen Valley remains , unchanged* Heavy enemy air attacks have been.carried out on the towns ofAAndalsnes and Molde. In the Namsoa area there has been patrol activity,- There is nothing further to report from Narvik,. 29/4/40 - No. 7. MINISTRY OF FOOD ANNOUNCEMENT RATIONING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE HOLIDAYS. With the approach of Whitsun, the Ministry of Rood is making special arrangements for the smooth working of rationing in holiday resorts. Those who intend to go away for a holiday and do their own shopping, or to stay in a private household while away, should apply for Emergency Ration Cards. Although these cards may be obtained from the Rood Office of the place where the holiday will be spent, holiday makers will usually find it quicker and more convenient to apply to their local Rood Office. They may do so during the week before their departure and they are advised to apply early in the week - there is always a rush at the last moment* Applications for emergency cards may be made in person or by post. Applicants must produce or send their Ration Books, together with any pages of coupons which may have been deposited with retailers. It is essential that these deposited pages should be recovered from retailers and forwarded with the Ration Book. Where the coupons for the holiday week are intact in the Ration Book, an Emengency Card for that week will be issued and the week’s coupons will be detached from the Ration Book. If, however, any coupons for the week have already been used from the Ration Book, the corresponding coupons will be removed from the Emergency Card before it is issued. This procedure is necessary to ensure that no one has two sets of coupons for the same week* Where the holiday will extend into a second or third week, two or three Emergency Cards, as the case may be, will be issued together at the request of the holiday-maker. If a holiday extends beyond three weeks, a fresh application for Emergency Cards must be made either to the "away" or to the - "home" Pood Office. Ration Books will not be retainedin the Rood Office, but will be returned to the holders immediately Emergency Cards are issued* Holiday-makers should always take away with them their Ration Books, complete with deposited pages, even if they have obtained Emergency Cards. Arrangements have been made to ensure adequate supplies of rationed foods at resorts during the holiday period# MINISTRY OF FOOD. 29/4/40 - No.8. RELEASED FOR PUBLICATION AFTER 9735 P.M. MONDAY, APRIL 29.1940. MEM, TO SUB-EDITORS: As this script "is being issued in advance it is necessary to check it against the broadcast at 9.20 on 449 or 391 metres. TROOP TRAINS THE STORY OR AN ARMY ON THE MOVE TALK BROADCAST BY MAJOR-GENERAL G. S, SZLUMPER Major-General G* So Sz lumper, C„ B, E* broadcasting a talk , f 1 entitled Troop Trains - The Story of an Army on the Move at 9*20 this (Monday) evening, in the Heme Service programme of 8.8.C* saids- In the last world war I was Secretary of the Railway Executive Committee - the Committee that was responsible for seeing that the railways of this country carried, out the many requirements of the Government; in this wr ar, as Director-General of Transportation and Movements it is my job to find out the transport requirements of the Army and to ask the railways to carry them out; thus I am fortunate in seeing hoth sides of the picture* But although, broadly speaking, the transport problems attach- ing to any war are akin to those of previous wars, the details which form the ingredients of the problem are very different* For instance, in this war the Army is highly mechanised and that makes a lot of difference to transport* Instead of horses, which, can be led into the trains and ships, there is an astounding variety of tanks, tractors, lorries, troop-carrying vehicles, Bren gun carriers, cars and travelling workshops; and. these are inanimate things Y/hich require special ships for their transport, and special gear for getting them on to and off the ships, but all suffering from a phenomenal appetite for liquid nourishment in the form of petrol, which has to be handled, and. transported, from the moment it is landed, by ocean tanker in this country until it is delivered in cans at the spot v/here it is required, for use overseas* Then again the soldier of today is infinitely better equipped and cared for than was the soldier of 1914? a factor that throws a big * load on transports. Let us follow a soldier s career through and you will gain an id.ea of what I mean. Then multiply this by the number of soldiers in our army, and you will perhaps be able to form an id.ea of the size of the transrjort problem,. Let us call our subject Mr© To Atkins, of Accrington, a young man, twenty-two years old, who receives his calling-up notice; he presents himself at the appointed place, goes in one end as a civilian and comes out the other end as Private To Atkins, completely clothed in a military garb and fully equipped - the raw materials for the clothing and equipment- have had to be conveyed to the factory and after manufacture conveyed to the appointed place, so as to be ready at the moment they are required© /Private 2 Private Atkins is then conveyed to a Depot or posted to a unit, possibly at some considerable distance, whence he travels on a ticket that has been given him in exchange for a warrant he was handed at his reporting place. Arrived at his unit he finds perhaps a new hutted camp has been built for him, complete recreational facilities, that his daily feeding has been looked after, that ammunition has come* from somewhere for his musketry instruction, and that one or other of the military services has anticipated his every need. The time comes when his unit is ordered to France and he is given free travelling facilities to go to his home to say "au revoir" and to return to his unit. Meantime someone has been arranging that a special train shall he ready to take him and his impedimenta to the port of em- barkation, a train made up of a variety of vehicles ready to carry the varied assortment of stores, etc. that will accompany his unit, Arrived at the port he will form the idea that "going to France" is the simplest job in the world, because the process of embarking is uncanny- in its silence, speed and smoothness - a process gets that way when it has been done hundreds of thousands of times; but someone has had to arrange that the docks at the port of embarkation is expecting him, and that the Ministry of Shipping has a suitable vessel at the right place at the right time, and to ensure that it is fully equipped and provisioned, and that it sails at the appointed hour, and that it connects with the ships of His Majesty*s Navy that convoy it safely to France. Ove? the voyage we will, perchance wisely, draw a veil; but in due time, Private Atkins finds himself at a friendly French Port and again is astonished at the of his and at the ease landing, fact that someone has provided a train of the correct composition to take him to his destination, where he is further surprised to find awaiting him his regimental vehicles, and all the heavy impedimenta which have gone via some other Port in England to some other Port in France, hy, perhaps, specially fitted ships and all timed to join up with him at the right place and time. Wherever he goes Private Atkins finds that the wave of some magic wand has produced food for himself, petrol and spares for his vehicles, ammunition for his rifle or gun, letters from home, a muffler from his sweetheart and - indeed - his every want. So that the wave of the wand may he effective, new munition factories, new supply and ammunition depots and other warlike establish ments have had to he most of them equipped with railway constructed, facilities and shunting yards, installed hy the home railways to plans agreed with the War Office: officers have had to he trained to co- ordinate and c '-ntrol military traffic; stevedore battalions and Books units have had to he raised and trained to handle the traffic at the Ports overseas, also railway survey and construction companies to lay many miles of railway in the base depots there and to increase rail facilities between the depots and the railheads to enable the daily load to he handled; railway operating units - composed of drivers, firemen and guards - to work the trains; and workship units -of fitters, boiler-makers, etc. - to repair the locomotives and wagons overseas. /Thus 3 Thus do we provide not only the means whereby the army and its requirements can be moved, but we actually perform some of the movement, and here I would like to pay high tribute to the efficiency and helpfulness of the French railways in all matters concerning British army transport. In the theatre of war, existing facilities have to he supplemented hy strategic railways to enable rapid troop concen- trations to bd achieved: the last war showed that the date of an offensive is governed hy the date of completion of the railway construction programme which enables supplies to he produced for it - don’t forget that a battle may use many thousand tons of ammunition a day, apart from other requirements. If he is unlucky and becomes a casualty, Private Atkins finds himself in one of the almost luxurious ambulance trains • practically a complete hospital on wheels - made by the British railways to War Office requirements, and taken comfortably to another port, lifted gently on to a specially fittedhospital ship which the Ministry of Shipping seem to have anticipated he may require just about that time, and taken under constant care across to England, and thence by another ambulance train or motor ambulance to the hospital where he will receive all necessary attention. If he is reasonably lucky and dodges becoming a casualty, his turn will for what is known of leave" and he come as a "spot will be given a little booklet which forms his leave or pass authority to be away from his unit, and which contains a permit to enable him to board the boat which he finds awaiting him at the French port, also a free ticket to carry him over the British railways to his destination - first by special trains that have been arranged to await the arrival of his boat and which brings him to London, where he finds special omnibuses waiting to take him to other London termini from whence the final stage of his journey starts by trains in which accommodation has been special retained for him and so in the direction back to his reverse - unit in France and that is - transport has to do for every what man in the army, and if you multiply that by the number of men now under arms you will see what a formidable task it is. In this job foresight is what for emer- matters, every gency has got to he foreseen and catered for in advance. I wish I could let you see the amount of detail required for of the elaborate have to make every day. some arrangements we In many cases, to ensure that there shall he no failure anywhere the detail has to he microscopic; nothing is left to chance. Even the list of the officers and others to' whom the instructions are issued for guidance or action is in .itself a well to e liberal education as as a complete enigma thos* versed in the of the initials used in the - mysteries army’ instance think that the- Military you might M.G. always referred to but it often Movement and A.U.S. D^st Cross, means Control; as likely to mean Assistant Under Secretary as it is to mean Australian; and the Chief of the Imperial General Staff would ' not be flattered if you thought that C.I.G, S. meant cigarettes. 4 I wish, too, that I could make you realise the magnitude of the task that is being done daily - maybe some of my listeners saw at the end of the first four months of the war a statement by the Minister Supply that he had placed contracts for of 234 million 1 pounds worth of -munitions, etc., since the war began; that our output of shells was then 10 times what it was at the end of 1914? in increased 8 times what that gun production had, some cases, by it was when the war started, that the government had put in hand 20 new ordnance factories and had extended the factories of 300 contractors since the war started - each item entailing a demand on transport. Maybe too, you have seen some Railway Executive Committee posters as to the dimensions of the work the British railways are doing despite their depleted staffs. For instance, running about 2,000 special troop trains per month - all the special trains for soldiers coming and going on leave, and if they wished they could provide many astronomical figures in connection with Government traffic, and could easily prove that they are efficiently perform- ing a Herculean'task on top of their other manifold activities. I cannot speak of the work of the road haulage and omnibus companies, as my duties do not cover this side of transport, but I am sure they are bearing their share of the burden. Such figures as I have quoted and indicated will give you some dimensional ideas of the problem, but if you are good at arithmetic, and would like to work it out accurately, let me say that apart from all the personnel and munition movement at home, every soldier in the field requires every month about half a ton of commodities of various sorts to keep him going, multiply this by the number of men we have in Prance and other possible theatres of war, and you will see precisely what tonnage has to be moved. I have given you a very rapid glance at the picture - enough I trust to show you that efficient transport is vital to the well-being of our armed forces, and efficient transport is essential to victory - and I will close by asking you to render thanks that even if my onerous demands on transport are rendering your Journeys in this -country a little less comfortable, my staff, aided by the railways,*the ports, navy the merchant and the royal navy are ensuring that Private Atkins in the field is getting his half a ton a month with regularity and precision - good luck to him. BRITISH BROADCASTING- CORPORATION, 29/4/40 - NO: 9. R.A.F. FLYING BOAT'S VICTORY. The Air Ministry announces A Sunderland flying boat of the Coastal Command, Royal Air Force, recently encountered and shot down a Messerschmitt 110 fighter* AIR AFFAIRS. 29/4/40 - No. 10. ANGLO-FRENCH CO-OPERATION THROUGH THE SCHOOLS. The first steps to be taken to encourage a wider understanding between the school children of Prance and Great Britain are announced by the Board of Education in a memorandum issued to schools today. Today strong links unite Great Britain and Prance: consciousness of a common purpose in the. fight for civilisation and wide co-operation in the military, political and economic spheres. But yet another aspect of co-operation needs It is pointed out in the memorandum that by developing. extending among the people of both countries, and especially the generation that will be growing up after the war, an understanding of each other's outlook and way of life, a bond of sympathy will be created that will lead to mutual appreciation of the many different qualities possessed by both peoples as well as of their cultural achievements and of the spiritual values in defence of which they fight. It is the Board’s aim to discover what are the best ways of preparing the ground and of sowing the seeds from which will spring in later life the knowledge and understanding of Prance and her culture. EXHIBITION VAN TO TOUR FRANCE. Some account is given of the measures that are being taken in both countries to achieve this end. In France an exhibition van will tour the provinces with a display of objects illustrating Great Britain and her Empire, Special lessons are to be given in the schools and publications dealing with different aspects of British life and literature are to be issued. Special programmes dealing with this country will also be broadcast by French stations. In this country special talks are now being broadcast to schools and the Board have undertaken to issue a series of leaflets, of them dealing with such subjects Visual some as Aids, or the provision of books on Prance and French or newspapers, the wider development of correspondence between the children of the two countries* Other leaflets will convey information as to how suitable illustrative material may be obtained, or discuss the formation in the schools of French ’’centres of interest” of which the aims should be to promote a fuller understanding of French ideas and ideals by comparison with our own. Teachers are also asked to take every opportunity of using suitable material, such as pictures, newspaper cuttings, etc*, dealing with the more general aspects of French life and manners which will readily appeal to all pupils whether they are studying the language or not. The schools of this country are diverse in size and character, hut the aim of cordial promoting a understanding of Prance is one that is common to all and all schools can do something to help achieve it. The question of extending these arrangements to Scotland An be considered hy a Committee that has been appointed by the Secretary of State* " ° BOARD OF EDUCATION. 29.4.40 No 11 Not to be published in this or in any other country before the morning (BiS*T) of Tuesday, April 30; and not to be broadcast before 7 a*m, Tuesday April 30. GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF NEW ZEALAND His Majesty the King has been'pleased to approve the extension until February, 1941? of the term of office of Colonel the Right Honourable Viscount Galway, G*C«M.G., D. 5.0., 0.8.E,, as Governor- General of New Zealand* DOMINIONS OFFICE 29/4/40 - No. 12. SOUTHERN RHODESIA IN ARMS. The Budget introduced this (Monday) afternoon by the Finance Minister of Southern Rhodesia discloses that the Government intends to contribute £1,500,000 per annum to the cost of the War. This amount will cover - All internal defence measures in the Colony including the training of army personnel; Certain expenditure in connection with Army and Air Force personnel of Southern Rhodesian Forces in the British Army and R.A.F.; The full cost of maintaining the Southern Rhodesian Field Survey Unit and any other Units retaining their identity while serving overseas; and A contribution towards the capital and maintenance costs of the three Flying Training Schools heing set up in Southern Rhodesia. Mr. Tredgold, Minister of Defence, Justice and Air, discussed these arrangements when he was in London last February. DOMINION AND COLONIAL AFFAIRS. 29/4/40 - NO: 13. GERMAN FIFTH COLUMN INVASION TECHNIQUE. (Not to be quoted as an official statement. ) Since the invasion of Scandinavia certain facts have come to light which will be of particular use to all remaining contiguous neutrals. DENMARK, Members of German travel agencies played important parts in the intelligence service, and were able to direct German troops to key positions. For example, in Copenhagen, the manager of the local German travel agency, a German (naturalised Dane; , played a xorominent part in the raid on the British Legation, Again, the position of the hotel rooms which the British Military Attache had occupied only twenty-four hours before the invasion was already known to the German invaders* Telephone exchanges, not in German hands, went mysteriously out of shortly after German troops crossed the frontier. action The German troops landed near Copenhagen were transported to the city in the coal lorries of two German firms * NORWAY, A remarkable feature of the Norwegian invasion was the number of ruses employed by the Germans, The smuggling of German troops in merchant ships has already become known* Entry to various German ports was effected by ruses, if not by treachery. German troops on several occasions did not hesitate to wear Norwegian uniforms, and enabled this no doubt them to give Norwegian NaVal and Military Headquarters orders not to resist. Cases are known to have occurred where the Germans issued orders which interfered with Norwegian mobilisation. This implies German knowledge of Norwegian mobilisation procedure, The early capture of Norwegian arsenals and munition factories points to their exact knowledge of their location and their defences. MILITARY AFFAIRS. 29/4/40 - No.14. PRESS NOTICE The Home Secretary has appointed Captain R. C* Williams, Governor of Wandsworth Prison, to he an acting Assistant Commissioner and Inspector of Prisons in place of Mr* T. Paterson Owens. HOME OFFICE. 29.4.40. - No.15. The following is issued to the Press by Naval Affairs for such use as they may wish to make of it. HOW MANY GERMAN TROOPS? Interesting revelations are made from time to time in the German propaganda broadcasts. At 1415 on April 28th, for instance, Hamburg told English listeners that the French newspapers had stated that the transport of a single French division to Norway would require sixteen large steamers. Why this quotation was broadcast it is difficult to but it certainly made listeners wonder what the German say, losses in troops have been since the Nazis embarked upon their Scandinavian adventure. Apart from the German ship MINE, which was scuttled, 28 German transports and supply ships are known to have been sunk since April 8 and one has been set on fire, while a further ten German transports and supply ships have been hit by torpedoes and probably sunk. The German expeditionary force has also suffered losses due to mines. NAVAL AFFAIRS. The following is issued to the 29/4/40 - No.16. Press by Naval Affairs for such use as they may wish to make of it. THE SPIRIT OF THE PISHING FLEETS Skipper Ward, of the steam trawler SALACON, has just come out of hospital, where a piece of his spine had to be cut away to enable a German machine gun bullet to be removed. He told his story today, (Monday) and said that he proposed to go fishing again as soon as he was quite fit. The trawler SALACON was fishing in the North Sea, just over a hundred miles from land, when, about 5 p*m* on March 20, two German Heinkel bombers appeared. The bombers separated. One flew on, but the other circled the SALACON at a height of only eighty feet. As the German machine ciffcled the stern and flew up the starboard side of the trawler, it raked the decks with machine gun fire. The SALACON was armed with a Lewis gun, and this was manned by the third hand. He opened fire at once. On the bridge the skipper seized a rifle and joined in the fight* Four times the bomber attacked the SALACON, machine gunning and dropping bombs, all of which fell well clear of the ship. On its last circuit of the trawler the bomber was badly hit by the trawler’s Lewis gun. It seemed to stall and roll half over. The pilot jettisoned his bombs and just succeeded in regaining control, but the Heinkel flew slowly away with one wing dipping so low that it almost touched the water. It was seen to try to climb, only to become momentarily out of control once again. It seems very doubtful if that German bomber ever regained its base. The SALACON went on fishing. Next afternoon at about 4 p.m. two German seaplanes appeared. They both attacked the SALACON four times, raking the ship with machine gun fire, but dropping no bombs. Pour times the enemy attacked the fishing trawler. The trawler 's men replied gallantly to the fire, using their Lewis gun and the rifle. Almost once, however, Skipper Ward was at wounded in the back by a machine-gun bullet. Another machine-gun bullet ripped through the clothing and seared the flesh of the third hand, who at the Lewis He knocked away from the this bullet, was gun. was gun by but his place was immediately taken by the trimmer and the gun kept in action. Misliking the trawler’s determined reply, the German seaplanes made off. Then the SALACON hauled her gear and made for home in order to get the skipper to hospital. On board the SALACON there but th