_______________ c,_~,..:..-v-=;• .:-'t<' "''D<..'~.C,_ _________________ RELEASE / NO. SUBJECT ORIGIN TIME ------------------~'>'·.,.,.-"<'O:".~•~-----------------­ read out i. RoAo Fo Dornier Air Affairs 12.47 a.m. Att ack ---------------., ..,..,.~--~t"...'3.·,~.ci.:.~~~-------------­ 2. Na"'..ral Battle against the A0Ji1i r al Scheer Admiral.ty -­-·- -­ 1. 59,. a. m. Bri. tish Steamer 1tDeptford11 torpedoed Admiralty read out 1~ 54. a. m. British Submarine s Jnl{S U b oat Admiralty - -­-­ -­·· ···~ .. .,.. - -·---~· Chri stmas Postal s.rrangeme:1ts .·-· ..··-.. .. .­. . . . ... ." ·­· Post Office ------­-~-­-----­--­---··~-·-­·--·­ read out 9. 3€l. a. rn. 6. Fren'.;h Of:Li c i al (r.1orning ) Paris by ' ..~ohone 9. 4. a. m. Ho Mo Destr oyer D·u.e~ness Survivors' Li.s G Adrairalty 3. 30. P• m. 8. Heal t h Drive Board of Education 9. 39. a. m. Taking it with a smile Empire Affairs 6.16. p. m. 10. Read out 10. 39. p. m. ll. ··Appellate Tr ·:lbtmal Ministry ~f for Conscientious Objectors Labour De1dal. of Ge1"'man Gas Grenades al :..egation Adr11iralty -2 -"f . ••· -·--w-~ ·-·-----------------­ i RELEASE TIME I NO. SUBJECT ORIGIN _ ..____..._____.. ...________ -t.. ·------­ I 12.57 p. rn. I I 12 1 I ------·------·-----­ 1. 9. m. 13 --·-·­ Reo.d out 14 1. 24 p. rn. ---·----­ 5.42 p.m. 15 ·-----­ 16 Read out 3. 7 p.m, --,__ ··· 3.16 p.m. 17 ....., 6.16 p.m. 18 --·--------·.... . 4. 27 p.m. --,.·-------. ­ 4. 52 p.m. " 5.17 p.m. 5. 17 P• m. " ----··---­ 5.22 p.m. 6.10 p.m. 6. 25 p.m. ----- ··--­ 6. 53 p, m. --·-t-· 6. o. p.m. 27 19 ,.___ 20 ... 21 22 23 24 25 26 I .. r-•­ U-BO;:T PRISONERS OF V'ff:iR -----·-· ·-·­Concerts :for London Civil De:fence V'lorkers ·--· 11Vlilliam Hallett" (H. M.T.) mined British Wool Federation Deputation - CEtsualties o:f Trawler i;William Hallett 11 -~-·~-----'"' ---· · --·---"--w Renewal o:f Hotor Vehicle Licences ·--·· Furniture Trade Board Har Office -·-..-----·-.... . -~ ·---- TTinistry of Home Security ---fi Naval Aff nirs 1Unistry of Supply -~--.. Admiralty ----__,..____ Ministry of 'rransport -~-----· Hinistry of Labour Occasions on which IWar O:f:fice Mi1itary Uni:form may be worn --.L..----~-----,·-----~ British I'1ission to Empire Aff'airs America Seeing is believing: Empire Aff'airs H. M. S. Ark Royal at Capetown No general mobilisation !Em:Pire Afi'airs :for South Africa I - War Office Leave :for the B. E. F. I l Empire Aff'airs More work in Newfoundland ·-· Hong Kong l:'ierchants' j Empire Affairs £10,000 Loan to Britain I Wool Control Orders IMini:~r;· ~f Supply I I -------·---i­ 1 Speedier ReleRse of ! Ministry of Wagons (with copy ! Transport of regul ations) ! I I --.-..-·-·---·---.. -----·------------ ---------------·----··---------~­ ___ , ... ----· -·--2-=.-· ·--·-·--·----... ­ ~ -~-­ RELEASE TIME NO. SUBJECT ORIGIN ..,..._....____,,...,_,._ -··­ --~ ..... ... _.,_,.._, ...---- -------· -· Read out Admiralty Montevideo 28 Battle o:ff •.38 p.m. __....,.._., : Air Ministry Supply of 29 8. 2. P• ra. R. A.F.Christmas Cards for the King ____... ____ R. A. F. Attack on Read out 30 Air Ministry Dornier over North Sea 7.46 p.m. - Advance Copy of 9.12 p.m. B.B.C. "War Commantary11 Broadcast by Ma jor-General Sir E. Swinton 31 -~--­ ... - ·­ Read out French Official 32 Paris -by 'Phone Connnunig_ue (Evening ) 9.19 p.m. '----~ - Read out North Sea Air Air Ministry 8.55 p.m. l 33 Battle I I I . ---~ ---------·--! I ­ • R.A.F. ATTACK DORNIERS OVER NORTH SEA. The Air Ministry announces : ­ Two aircraft of the Coastal Command yesterday _(3ncount..e.r...e.d.. _.and at..t.acJc.ed two.......enemy Dormer Flying Boats over the North Sea. Both enemy rear gunners were ~hi.:t and both enemy a ireraft damaged by rna.c1U.n.e"'£ll.U .t:i.ve-­before disappearing into. the clouds. AIR AFFAIRS. No. 2. OFFICIAL J\DML~;,LTY co;JMUNF'UE -------~-------------­ ' From informa~Lon_rece\ved up to the present time it appears that a ~ritish force --0-onsisting of the six gun 8" cruiser EXETER, the small six inch cruisers AJJJJ... and ACHILLES, under tho command of Cormnodore H. H. Hi:..RWOOD obtained contact with the enemy pocket-.battleship-SCHEER at 6. O a. m. 13th The SCHEER carries six 11 inch guns. ;, heavy running fight took place between 6.0 a.m. and 10.0. a.rn. nt which time EXETER received do.r1iage which reduced her speed and forcc~d her to drop --0u~ af the action. The AJAX and J~CHILLES contin1.:_ed the chase of the SGHEER which was rep-eatedly-n_i.t ar~d c.ppeared to be seeki.ng__.refuge._ii:: the RIVER PLATE. The pursuit continues. ---oOo--­ NAVAL AFFAIRS ' Noo 3o OFFICIAL ADM;IRA~_T.Y COMI{QNIQUE At about noon 13th December the British steamer DEPTFORD was torpedoed by a German U-boat a quarter of a mile North West o~ H~nningGvaag Sound, Stadt in Norwegian territorial waterso The ship sank in one minute and so far only five survivors have been rescuedo This is the third case in the 1.ant few days of violation of Norwegian neutrality. .,.-----00-;.'-·---·-·~· 14/12/39 OFFICIAL ADMIRALTY CO_ML~IQUE!'.. The Admiralty also announce that in the Nor~::i Sea the same British Submarine that sighted the Bremen has sunk a U~boat and torpedoed an enemy cruisero -----000------­ 14.12.39/No.5. l?.N.1599. PRESS NOTICE. Christmas Postal Arrangements. The Postmaster General desires to call the attention of the public to the difficulties with which the Post Office will be confronted during the approaching Christmas Season, and to the especial need for the very early posting of letters, cards, packets and parcels intended to secure delivery by Christmas Day. To meet the heavy load of Christmas correspondence and parcels, an experienced staff reinforced by temporary assistance is re~ired; but this year the Post Office is hampered by the fact that many of the trained men are on Active service. The despatch of the heavy Christmas mails from place to place will also be less easy and less speedy than usual because of the slowing up of the conveyance and delivery services caused by the black-out. It will be necessary as far as possible to confine deliveries to the short hours of daylight, and to restrict the number of collections from letter boxes during the black-out. In the circumstances the Postmaster General earnestly appeals to the public to assist him by posting correspondence packets and parcels much earlier than has been customary in previ ous years and by with-holding from the post, during the period 18-26 December, anything the despatch of which oan, for the time being, be dispensed with. To ensure delivery by Christmas Day letters, cards, packets and parcels should be posted at the latest very early in the week before Christmas Day -the earlier the better. It would also materially assist the Post Office if the public were to make a point of posting such i terns as are ready for despatch early and often, and during the hours of daylight as far as possible. This will even out the flow of traffic and relieve the colJ.ections from letter boxes during the hours of the black-out. On Sunday, December 24th and on Christmas Day, December 25th, there will be one delivery of letters and parcels in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, but there will be no delivery on Boxing Day, December 26th. In Scotland. there will be no delivery on Sunday, the 24th December but there will be deliveries both on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. In Eire there will be a delivery on Sunday, the 24th December but no deliveries on Christmas Day or Boxing Day. There will be no collections on Christmas Day in England, Wales and Northern. Ireland except in rural districts~ On Boxing Day, December 26th, generally, collections will be made only in town districts. The The public are reminded that it is essential, in order to avoid delay to letters and parcels, that ad.dresses should be complete; they should normally include the name of the County as well as the name of the Post Town. It is also re<}!.lested that the public will, where possible, use the numbers instead of, or in addition to, the names of houses in addressing their letters and parcels. In the case of parcels and packets, the address should oe written on the cover itself and not merely upon a label, v.hich might become detached. Parcels should be well and strongly packed. GENERAL POST OFFICE. 14th December, 1939. 11LJ.=-2"'-"'.3'-='-9_____ No. 6. FRENCH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE (MORNING). The following official communique was issued from French G.H.Q. this morning:­ Patrol activity on the whole of the central part of the front the Moselle to the Rhine. ------000-----­ No, 7. OFFICIAL ADMIRl\LTY COLmUNIQUE. The SecretGry of the AdmLralty regrets to announce the loss of H. N. Destroyer DUCHESS . Lt. Com. R.C.H. White, in collision wit1 another of H.M. Ships which was undamaged. It is feared that the foll.owing are the only survivors ­ OFFICERS. Probationary Lieutenant J.R. Pri·.,chard, R.N.V.R. RATINGS. Adams, Jack. Able Seaman" c/ssx.16954 Oogger, Dona ld W. Chief Petty Officer C/J. 69276. Crowall, Charles Able Seaman. C/JX.142Jf 8 Crowther, George. Stoker 1st Class.,R.F .R. B.18897 Dodds, John E. Ordinary Seaman C/SSX. 21525. Durling, Alfred H. Lea ding Seaman. C/JX.134607 Hale, I:enneth R. Able Seaman C/JX.144448. Harris, Geoffrey Able Seaman C/JX.138679. Jenkins, Ivan E. Able Seaman C/SSX.15479. Lawrence, Charles H. Able Seama;n. c/ss:x. 21 227. L.owthorpe, John E. Able Seaman, R.F.R. B.25414 McHardy,Robert. Leading Seanmn. C/JX. 127142, Merry, Charles, R. Ab]e Seaman G/JX. 127588 Moir, Harry Leading Seama J. C/JX.131525. Proctor, Walter R. Ordinary Seaman C/SSX. 27921 Ratcliffe, Trevor Able Seaman C/JX.142L~82. Robertson, William Abie Seaman C/SSX.1987C Thurley, Clarence Telegraphist C/JX.142461 Tootel, Thomas Sto~er Petty C/K. 50792. Officer Smith, Alfred Abl~ Seaman C/SSX.15981 Swinhow, Ernest Ordin:t ry Seaman C/JX.156254, Willy, John A. Chief Stoker C/K,58333, The following two ratings were left ashore for medical treatment at the ship's last port of call and were not on board at the time of the collision:­ Anderson, R. Petty Officer. D/JX.132934. Passmore, G. Ordinat>y Seaman C/SSX.28228. ADMIRALTY. -----~Oo----­ Not for wblication before 9 P;.m. Thursdny9 14th December. 14/12/ 39.-No.8. BOARD OF EDUCATION ANNOUNCEMENT. GOVERNMENT CALL FOR INTENSIVE HEALTH DRIVE. Full rae·sumption of the school health services throughout the country and an intensive effort to provide for the fullest possible review of the health and physical condition of the children now in the evacuation areas are urged by the Board of Education and the Ministry of Health in a Circular issued t o-day t o Local Education Authorities, The condition of some of the children evacuated at the outbreak of war after famr weeks of holiday caused some disquiet, but the children who have remained in the evacuation areas have in many cases been without supervision or medical care for over four months. The Government are therefore taking special steps to have their health examined as soon as possible. When war broke out many school medical officers and school nurses w~re assigned to the Civil Defence services and many school clinics and feeding centres were taken over by those Services. The Ministers of Health and Home Security have now agr eed that both st aff and premises should, where possible, be wholly or partially released for the work of the school health service, provided that they are immediately available for casua lties if the occasion should arise. They have also agr eed that the staff and premises of First Aid posts not previously used by the school health services and of bathing facilities provided for A.R.P. purposes may be made available to the school children. It is int ended that a continual stream of children shall have the advantage of these new facilities. In this way the Government hope to make it possible for the million children left in the evacuation areas to be inspect ed, bathed and, where necessary, treated within the next three months . Special attention will be given to the cl eanliness of the children and the shower baths at the /first ai d. -2­first aid stations will be particularly valuable in the case C">f· school children for whom the public baths are not at present availableo These arrangements are to come into operation immediately without waiting for the schools to reopen and should cover all. children of school age in the evacuation areas, not only those who can be immediately admitted to school. The survey will also cover the nutrition of the children and, where necessary, Authorities are urged to provide supplementary nourishment. The Circular also urges that a similar intensive effort should be made in neutral areas where the schools have been closed pending the completion of air raid precautions and impresses upon Local Education Authorities for reception areas their responsibility for providing for evacuated children a school medical service of the same scope and standard as that provided for local children The Circular recognises that some Local Education Authorities have already made a determined effort to surmount the difficulties due to the war and to continue to operate the school health services both for children attending school and those who have been out of schoolo The provision made has, however, been very une~ual and the Board make it clear that these services, which have been built up with so much labour during the last 30 years and which form so valuable a part of the educational system of this country, must not be allowed to lapse because of the stress of war. If they were im.!ortant before the war they are doubly important now, and the time has come 1vhen they should function normally so far as this is possible in present conditions and should be strengthened and extended if experience has shown that they do not fully meet the needs of the childrenc ---....--··--....---­ EMPIRE AFFAI RS, 14.12.39 No, 9. TAlGNG_~T WITH A SMILE. THE OLDER MEN IN INDIA CARRY ON. The wa r has made havoc of private hopes and futures, but how cheerfully this wreck of persona l plans has everywhere been accepted! A letter just received by Empire Affairs from Mr. F.W.Humphrey, a business man in Karachi brings this unaffectedly home. The letter speaks of the efforts which the heads of firms have been ms.king in India to release as many young men as poGs ible from their staffs, and then goes on: 11 Then came the return of the old men; not too old, but merely superannuated. Back they came in their dozens and hundreds to take up the threads of their working lives again, some in subordinate positions now, but all anxious to help. nit was indeed strange to see Captain Bl ank stroll into the Club which only a few months ago had given him a farewell dinner. There were cases of me n who were on their final furlough and within a week or so of retirement. But back they came, if not always gladly, at least cheerfully and without grumbling, though who knows what plo.ns for their future of leisure had not been broken and what further separation from their families it does not cost them~ ''Only the exile cHn really apprecia te how eagerly that moment of final retirement is longed for; the rest it offers from responsibility and grinding routine and from the discomforts of a tropical climate which weigh more heavily year by year as a man reaches the fifti es ; and_ perhaps for the opportunities it gives at last to being o.ble to devote one 1 s whole time to that f ascinating hobby. ,,The exile's wi fe also had her dreams; to be free of recurring separations from husband. c;.1d childI'en; her l onging to settle down in .:i. real English home with her own possessions around her •.. 11A.li..P, is mnking greot strides; street li ghting is cowled and experimental black-outs have been in force. First Aid Centres have been es tablislled in prominent places s.nd numbers of the womenfolk are spending their spare time c1ttending l ectures and practising nursing. At thl3 distr.nce fro;H the war it is difficult to believe .there i s o.ny danger, but the possibility has rightly been f aced and preparations made to meet i t. 11 (0 PRESS NOTICE. NATIONAL SERVICE (AR.1_'@]P FORCES)_!g!, 1939. APPELLATE TRIBUNAL FOR CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS. The Ministry of' Labour and National Service announces that the Appellate Tribunal for England and Wales will hold sittings on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 18th, 19th, 21st and 22nd December, at 1, Abbey Gardens, Great College Street, Westminster, SW1. The sittings will begin at 10.30 a,m. each day. Press Office, Ministry of' Labour and National Service. TelE?Ehone: Whitehall 6200. 14th December, 1939. H.Q.354-480 L.I. URGF.N'r. 14.12.39 No.11.. OFFICIAL AOMJR.ALTY COMMUNIQUE. Press reports quote the German Legation in Montevideo as stating that the casualties on board "Graf Spee'' were mo stly·caused--0-ecaus.e.. .the-Briti-sh-used mu.&tard gas grenades. This allegation is entirely without foundation. No mustard gas grenades or-shells have ever been made for or used by the Royal Navy. ADMIRALTY, \~'HITEHALL, S.W.L -----oOc--~-­ 14/12/39 -No,12. U-BOAT PRISONERS OF WAR The following officers and men are prisoners of war in this country: STAMER, Gerhard Oberleutnant (Ing) HIRSCH, Hubert Torpedomaat OFFERMANN, Gerhard Maschinenmaat SCHRADER, Albert Maschinenobergefreiter II KUFNER, Heinz: MechanikerobergefreLter ZIEGENBERG, Karl Funkgefreiter WAR OFFICE, $.W.1. 14/12/39 -No.13. FOR PRESS & BROADCAST. CONCERTS FOR LONDON CIVIL DEFENCE WORKERS. Free entertainments for Civil Defence Workers in the London Civil Defence Region, are to be provided by the Civil Defence Workers Entertainment Fund of 3 Clifford Street, W.1. The Fund has been raised by private subscription. It will enable the Organisation to obtain the services of people well known in the entertainment world, and to provide musical concerts by soloists or by a Chamber orchestrao MINISTRY OF HOME SECURITY PRESS OFFICE 11.f/12/39 14.12.39 No.14. ADMIRALTY COMMUNIQUE. The Secretary of the Admiralty regrets to announce the loss of H.M. Trawler "WILLI.AM HALLF.TTn, sunk by a mine. There was only one survivor, 1st Engineman Charles HOBSON. The next of kin of the casualties have been informed. 14/12/39 -No.15. w. 7. . MII'v"'ISTRY O~' SUPPLY PRE.3~ NO'rICE. ~.CONTROL Qeputation to Minister of Supply. The Ministdr of Supply received today a deputation from the British \i'ool l"ederation led by lVir. Holmes, the President of the Federa.tion. Mr. Holdsworth, M.:P., and Mr. Leach, M.P., M introduced the deputation. Sir &gene Ra; sden, M.P., and Mr. Hepworth, lVl.P., had also arranged to attend, but were unavoidably prevented from being pteJent. The .i?ederation placed before the Minister a number of representations concerning their interests as affected ~y the operation of the Wool Control, and M.r. Burgin promised full consideration to the questions raised when certain furtl\er infcrmation for which he asked had been sent to him. Ministry of 3upply, 'l'he Ad~lphi, w:~c.2. 14th December, 1939. URGJ~NT. NO. 16 -14/12/39• ADMIRALTY OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. The Secretary of the Admiralty regrets to announce that the following are reported as missing, believed drowned, after the loss of H.M. Trawler William Hallett: ­ J~C. ADDISON Deckhand. A.A.W. Cole Second hand. C.Wo Hannant Skipper~ N.R. Holland Fireman. G. Lindores Third hand, R. Lindores Deckhand. A. Theodovakis Second engine man. J., Y'1ung Cook. ADMIRALTY. 1'Iotor vehicle licence s vrill ex:;:iire at the end of this month and will be reneuable for the quarteI' or year comD.encing In view of' the e.ddi tional s tr•s.in uhich uill be throvm on the staffs of the loc2.l ta;:a t ion off ices and the inconvenience to traffic in certain :)laces caused by a la:rge number of late motorists:­ (1) to apply for• renewal s a s eo.rly as possible and so avoid conGe s tion at the last moment~ and (2) to ensure that their application2 for Penewal are in order, and to study carefully the instructions contained on pages 1 and 5 of the re:is tration book and on the renewal Form RF.lA. A motor ve:1icle licence cannot be issued unless the applicant produces a certificate of insurance or a certificate of security or othe~ evidence that the provisions of Part II of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, have been co~plied vrith. Applications f'or licen ces to County C01.:mcil s Oi'.' County Borough Councils sl10:~.ld be Hade by po st, r.-herever convenient. If application is made to a Post Offi ce, the licencee or his representative must attend };:iersonally. Nevr r c'.tes of li cence duty hc,ve been introduced in . re s1Ject of vehicles taxed 0 :'..1 horse ..:iov7e:.-c,:nd mo tor cycles (other than )edestri an co~trolled t~icycles). A~nual licences for 1940 and licences for "'ch g_t:2:'tG:c"' , 19~0, 1.7ill not be the L~a:;_ obta inable application must therefore be mcGe to the ap)ropriate Council. 7.ne:_'e a ve:1icle hDr c;.1c_nf;ed h2c:c1.s since the last licence was ta~cen ot~ t, the ne-1'.r ormer must be S"L'.re ti1a t the change of' ovme:t ship has been entered in the ref;i s t1'2 t icJ:1 ooo~;: and that the Council has noted the change oy da te-stau:1in.:; the l"'ing against the new ovrner' s name on pa e;e s 3 and 4 rn_ th the Coun.c il' s da te stami1. -2 ­ If this has not b e en done, the Cor:ncil should be notified inunediately . Cheques :foP licences for mechanically-1n'opelled vehicles and horse-dravn cai'1'io.ge ::: should not include ar.10unts for dog licences, etc. The dutie 2 o.:.:·e payable into separate accounts and great inconvenience is caused to the authorities if composite cheques are sent. Renevral Forms and Declar•at ion Forms r.my be obtained from any Uoney Order Officeo All per sons who al.-e re quired to apply to the London County Council or the Hiddle sex Count7 Coi.:.ncil1for the renevml of their motor vehicle licences should note that the addresses of the Local Taxation Departments of those Councils are as follovs:­ London Count'r Council. -------·--·--""--··"-----­ Public Control Depa:;."tDent, Coo::ier' s Hill, Englefield Creen, Nr. Egham, Sur:c-.ey. T;,·,-1clcenhan Tecl111icc:.l Collec;e, Egel."ton P.oad, Tuicl·;:enha1;1. Ministry of Trans) ort, hletropole Buildinps, NorthuDbe1-.1anc'. Aver c•e , \'! . c. 2. (18139) 18/14.12. 39. MINISTRY OF L.ABOTJR .AND NATIONAI, SERVICE. ~~ ~--···~~~­ PRF.SS NO'.I'IC.E•. PRO?OSED 'l'RAIB BOA."RD FOR J!1JRNITU:<{t; TNDUSTRY. ------.-..--.--..--·-..-....,..---·-­ A oon:ference of org'.inisations representing employers and workers in the Fu:r1uture 1Lmurc.cturing Industry was held on 14t11 D-ecember at the :Ministry of Labour and· National SEirvice. ~~he follov17ing organisations were represented:­ .,.,,·,rr:r· n-y;-,:;<[)c:: I QDr< ·wr"'A"'T()T•TC\ ~~~-.r>:.r_f.;.;:.:_2._~~ Association of Fm~r..:tture Manu:fac turers of t11e City of Bath. Drapers 1 Chamber of Trade of Great Britain a...'1.d Irela..vid. .. Furlli ture Manufacture:cs 1 A~\socLi:~ion. · High Wycombe and District Furniture l!I~mufacture!"s' Federation. Livarpool and District Cabinet Makers, Upholsterers and French Polishers Employers 1 Association. London Furniture 'l1rades Federation. National Bedding Federation. National Federati..Jn of FRT:iture Trades. National Federation of Furnitu.re Trades; Bristol, West of England and South Wales Oentre. North East Furnishing Employers 1 Federci,ti::m. North East Lancashire Centres of the National Federation of t..he Fur:niture Trades. Northern Furniture Trades 1 Federation. Nottingham Centre of the National :B'ederation of Furniture Trades. Parliamentary Committee of the Co-operative Congress. Retail Distriblttors1 Association Incornorated. Scottish Furniture 1:Iam-..facturers 1 Asso;iation. Sheffield Furnishing Trades Employers' Association. ___.,_.._ TR.WE UNIONS . Amalgamated Society of Woodcutting Machinists• .Amalgamated Society of Woodvvorkcrs. Amalgamated Union of Upholsterers. General Union of Bedding Trade Workers. National Amalgamated Furniture Trades Association. National_ Union of Packing Case }fakers. Progressive Society of French Polishers. Progre:::isive Union of Cabinet Makers. Trade Boards Advisory Council of the Trade Union Congress. '.:'ransport and General Workers 1 Union. rni ted French Polishers I London Society. The purpose of the conference was to consider a Def'ini tion of the trade which could be included in a. statutory Order applying the Trade Boards Acts to the Mmiufactu... the Furniture Trade. -3..i::a.i't De.t~inition which had been """ing Section or.' A urepared by a Joint Comwi ttee repre~::enting the organisations in consultation with the Ministry of Labour and National Serv:.oe cam0 before the meeting9 and was adopted after .9lllenJ.ment for submission to the :Minister of Labour and National Service. Should the Def'ini tion be accepted by the Minister the next step will be for the Mini..ster to give formal Notice of a dr af't Order under the Trade Boards Acts. Should. objections wh."'.ch are not t!'ivial Le m;~.de to the draft Order, the Minister is required -to hold a public enquiry before the Ord.er is made effective. It is, however, the c-eneral desire of the trade, under present conditions, to secure the sta1:.i1ising fnfluence of a Trade Board with the least possible delay. On this acco-.u:.t 0p:position -to the Order is not anticipated, and during the six weeks allowea for o-bjcet;ions steps will be taken in consultation with the organisations to seloet re_pres<'3Yrta:·Gives cf both sides to act upon the Board. It is the general desire that the Board should be a small and practical working body, a."ld that it should be in a posit:LC'n to meet immediately the statutory Order under the Trade Boards Acts has become ef:L'6ctive. :;,1his will it is an'(;icipated be in about tvvo months time. The draft Definition submi~ted by the Conference for the Minister's decision was as f'ollows: ­ 1. Tffi li'1JRNITURE ~iL\NTJFACTURING TR.ADJ~ . 1. Subject to the turlc::.-r:ic:1tionecl. 11rovisions the Furnj_tnrc rfonuf<,cturing T:caG.c:: cmisists of the foJ.lo·,1i:..-ig o:r;cr&tio'i.s: ­ (a) the ma.nufacturc and finishing of articles of furrliture me,de wholly or mainly of wood, C.:cts made wholly or mainly of ·wood, cD.11.e , wickC:.r or wovi;,n fibre; ( c) the preparation of materials usca in E:my of the opcn'.tions specified in the preceding sub-pa.ragraphs (including all sawing and macl1:i.ning of >1ood) ·nhen such prcpand:;ion is carr ied on in an cstcblishmc11t mainly engaged in Erny of those operat ions or in lli1.Y ln·a.nc:1 or department of &ny such establishment; ( d) the upholstering and re-upholstering of articles of furniture r:lfl_de of ~my materi2.ls, the marn.1facture of upholstery cusll:i_ons ; the making up and re-making of mr.ttresscs of sny description and. of palliasses, divans, pillm7s and bolst8rs, when such operat ions m·e performed:­ ( i) in an cstablislmcnt o:c branch or depart ment wholly or mainly engaged on one or more of such operations; or ( ii) by a worker who i s wholly or mainl y engaged on any one of such oper ations; (e) the prepare.tion of materials used in the operations specified in sub­parograph ( d) above v:hcn such preparation is carried on in an establishment o:,_· br8.11.ch or dcpartr:icnt ·v;:holly or ma.inly cng·1gcd on one or :more of' those operations; (f) the mc::..king Ul) of blinds, h;:mgings, curt.s.ins, loose covers or c..ny sL 1ilar .s.rticle when such making up is do:.i.e : ­ in an establishment, branch or depart::-nent wholly or m2,inly c11gagcd on one or more of suc!1 operations; or (ii) by a worker vrho is wholly or mainly engaged on any one of such operations; (g) the fixing of blinds which have been made in an establishment, branch or department specified in sub-paragraph ( f) above -uhcn such fixing is carried out by workers employed in connection with such establishment, branch or department; (h) the manufc:.cture of cases, cabinets and containers forming part of r.msical instruments:­ ( i) 1-.rhen T:1a11u:t\:.ctured for sale as such cases, cal)inets or containers; or r -. ) i_ll when manufactured in an establishn1ent vrhich is not substantially engaged in the mc...nuf acture of completed musical instruments; ( i) work -vrhich is incidcntc.l to any of the above operations including, inter c:,lic.:., :;_Y:.:.ckin,g, portering, delivering and the work of general yard l ,r.bourers. 2. Notvrithste.nding anything in the foregoing provisions the following operations are not opcrations in the Furniture :t:::anufacturing Trade: ­ (a) work performed in a general sawr:1illing establishment or a br3llch or d.epartr.ient thereof if the main operations carried on in such establishment, branch or department are operations other than those specified in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) of par a::;; r aph 1 hereof; 2. (b) work perf'orm.ed in a. shipbuilding or shiprepairinz ~'&.:'d. ~1r i i.1 an engineer.illg establis:tmient; ( c) the max1ui"aotu.rt11 qf fittings of wood (including shop fittings) to be built in;co e" specified :position and the ma.nufacture of any fittings or fitments made in ,joiners' workshops or builders' yards; (d) the manufacture of ironing boards, plate racks, trays, pastry boards and rolling pins and other utensils of domes tic vwod,,rare, except where th;; establishment or bra.-rich or department in which such ma...-,ufactu1·e is carried on is mainly engaged on operations specified in sub-paragraphs ( a), (b) and (d) in paragraph 1 hereof; (e) the marr~facture of musical instruments except the ma.Dufaoture specified in paragraph 1(h) hereof; (f) the ma:nufac~turH of metal furniture or parts of metal furniture or metal parts of articles the manufacture of vvhich is included under paragraph 1 hereof; (g) the bevelling and silvering of glass; (h) the manufacture of billiard tables; (i) the uphQ1"ltering of vehicles; ( j) operations included in the trades specified in the Orders hereinafter mentioned or in an1endmonts or variations th0reto, that is to say:­ The Trade Boards (Button ~.Ianufacturing) Order, 1925; 1'he TraC:.e Boards (Hair, Bass and Fibre) Ord0r, 1919; The Tre.cle Boards (Id.nen and Cutton Eandkerchief and Household Goods and Linen Pieoe Goods) Order, 1920; The ~rm.de Boards (Made-up Textiles) Order, 1920; The Trc..C:e Boards (Pcrarnbulator and Invalid Carriage) Order, :1.926; The Tro.cle Board.:3 (Rubber Manufacturing) Order, 1938; The 'l'rade Boards (Toy Manufacturing) Order, 1935• .3. For the pur·~oses of the foregoing provisions "musical instruments" includes radio sets. Press Office, llinistry of Labour and National Service. Telephone: Whitehall 6200. 3. H. Q. 363-485 L. I . ( The WCJ. r Office, London, s. W.1. 14th December, 1939. The War Office announces that military uniform may, for the duration of the war , be worn only by the following:­ ~ .A. Officers and other ranks of the Regular Army, and those of the Heserve and Auxiliary Forces who have been called up, and also such retired officers as are re-employed in a military capa city. These will wear uniform on all occasions. B. Officers of the Army Reserve, or the Supnlementary Reserve, or the Territorial Army Heserve, not recalled for service; and other ex-officers and other ranks ordinarily permitted to wear uniform on certain occasions who are employe.d on quasi-military duties , even though not subject to military law, provided they are serving under the immediate orders of an officer who is so subject . These may wear uniform on all occasions . c. Ex-officers and other ranks who are under the existing regulations allowed to wear ~niform on certain occasions but are not employed as class B are. These may wear uniform on the appropriate occasions as before. They will not be permitted to wear it whil e engaged in their civilian duties, or for mere convenience. If they are members of a civil organization having an authorised uniform dress , they will, when carrying out the duties of that organization wear its uniform, and not military uniform. Those who wish to wear uniform but are not sure of the dress regulati0ns should consult the nearest military authorit y. Those who vol untarily elect to wear uniform (Class B. or c.) will not be eligible for outfit allowance, or to any of the concessions or benefits to which serving mili tary uersonnel are entitled. Very s~ecial cases not covered by the above may be submitted to the War Office. EMPIRE AFFAIRS. 14/12/39. -No.20. BRITISH MISSION TO AMERICA. Lt. Col. W. Ivory9 late of the New Zealand Royal Artillery9 who vvas seconded to the British Army9 has be en appointed 9 with the rank of Colonel, a member of the Br•i tish Munitions Mission to the United States and Canada. His particular duty will be the inspection of guns and carria~es which are bel.ng purchased there. For some time before the war , and since 9 Colonel Ivory has been stationed at Woolwich. I . EMPIRE AFFAIRS 14/12/39 -No.21. SEEING IS BELIEVING It is revealed in the South A:f'rican Press thie morning (Thursday) that the Aircraft-carrier Ark Royal and the battle-cruiser Renown recently visited Cape Town. The presence of the Ark Royal at Cape Town gives the lie to the Zeesen announcements that this vessel has been sunk. The Ran.d. Daily Mail publishes a picture this morning of the Ark Royal in Table Bay, side by side _.....-· with a drawing which--a-ppe.ared-i.n-the.-German_~:s--s.ho-w1;o.g -.. the ''bombing-and .sinking" of the Ark Royal. 14/12/39 -No.22. EMPIRE AFFAIRS .­ BASELESS S.A. RUMOUR The South African Department of Defence stated yesterday that rumours that general mobilisation was contemplated in January are untrue. General mobilisation is not comtemplated, as no circumstances exist to warrant such a step. The War Office, London, s.W.1. 14th December, 1939. ARMY LEA'TE. Preparations have now been made for the commencement of leave from France. All leave must, of course, be dependent upon the military situation at the Front. For obvious reasons it is imnossible for a whole Army to go on leave together. Army holidays have to be staggered, like those of any other great business organisation, whether at Home or Abroad. A carefully planned scheme of leave has, therefore, been drawn up at G.H.Q., i n which the troops will be released in rotation, and every man will be informed, as far as the exigencies of War permit, of the appro4imate time at which he may expect to be coming Home. Pri ority will be granted, justly, to those members of the B.E.F. who , for r ea sons of secrecy, received no embarkation l eave before departing overseas. Therefore, in working out the leave programme, men who were not granted such l eave will now be considered in the order in which they arrived i n France. Consideration also has to be t aken of the number who can proceed u-pon leave at one time, owing to limitations of transport accommodation. rt is hoped that all the men who arrived in France early in October will be granted leave within the near future. Leave for troops at Home is being staggered uuon the same ~rinciple. EMPIRE AFFAIRS. 14/1g/39 -NO. 24. MORE WORK IN NEWFOUNDLAND. The Newfoundland relief figures for November, which have just been compiled, show 33,825 persons on relief, at a cost of$ 69,288, The comparative figures for November 1938 were 45,134 .persons at a cost of $ 86,071, The improvement in the relief figures, which are the best for any November since 1933, is due in the main to increased employment in the production of timber, and also in part to the schemes of Mr. J.A. Gervin, the Commissioner for Natural Resources, for rural reconstruction in Placentia Bay. EMPIRE .AiT:1FAIRS 14.12.39 No 25 . (NOT TO BT<; PUBLISHED OR BROADC/1_ST IN THI8 OR ANY OTHER COUNTRY B~FORE MIDNIGHT, DECEMBER l4o) FREE OF INTEREST HONG KONG MERCHANT'S £10,000 LOAN TO BRITAIN Sir Robert Ho Tung , well known for his philanthropic and business interests in Hong Kong, has offered to lend to His Majesty's Government the sum of £10,000, free of interest, for two yearso This ·public-spirited offer has been gratef~lly accepted by the Government, on whose behalf a personal l etter of thanks has been adctr essed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to Sir Robert Ho Tung, 14/12/39 -N<2.!__g_§ IUNISTRY OF SUPPLY PRESS NOTICE 'if.Q_OL CONTROL • Under the Defence Regulations 1939 the Minister of Supply has made t rro further Orders which relate to wool producedin the United Kingdom (other than the Orkneys, Shetlands and Outer Hebrideso) The first of these (The Control of Wool (No.9) Order, 1939) brings into force on 15th December, 1939, new maximum prices f or ungraded farmers' clips. The second Order (The Control of Yf ool (Noa 10) Order, 1939) req_uisitions wool still owned -by fai~merso Provision is also $ade for securing returns j_n regard to such wool, and the owners are required to comply with any directions issued as to the removal, transport, keeping, storage, disposal or delivery of such wooL Copies of these Orders will shortly be on sale and may be :purchased from Hofilo Stationery Office or through any bookseller. All inquiries should be addressed to The Wool Control, Bradford., -·--·-oOo---­ MINISTRY OF SUPPLY -----· ----~..·--"" -~~­ THE ADELPHI~C.J&~ The Secretary to the Iiinisti-•y of 'I'Pansport rnal:es the following announcement~ ­ Speedier H_tle2:_1_?_~__q_f__}7ar;ons after f'I'iday next. . . The RailwaysJl2...e11~.::_I'e:.L§ Charges) Order•. 1939~ -I As foreshe.doYred in ~1is stateiiwnt in the House of Commons oh Wednesday, 6th Decel"i1ber, the l1:Iinister of Transpo1...t has to-day made, undel" the Defence fiegulations, 1939 9 the Railways (Demurrage Charges) Order, 1939, whic~1 m.i.thoI'ises the Railway Companies on and from 15th December,. 1939,. to increase the dernuPrage charges for :railway Ymgons, container's and sheets and reduce the "free t..i1<1.e." Broadly speakin8, the effect will be to reduce tu. 24 hours the Hf'ree timeu-allowed f'or loading or unloading and to double the demuI'l"age charges ~)ayable f or detention beyond th.at period. The Order provides that Sundays, Bank Holidays and the :period from 12 noon t.o midnight on .Saturdays shall not be inclu.ded in the "free time"• and that when the "free time" commences af'tex J.2 no.on on any day ·the rest of that day shall not be includedo Until the 31st :M2,rch, 1940, registered coal me!'Q.hants will be allt'>'i.led 48 hours instead of 24 hours for unloading wagons·. By that time they vlill be ex:i;iected ·~o have made such ar1"angemente as will enable them to-·comp..l_y -v.d..:th. .:t.b.e .. gen.er.a]. _require:m.ents tnat wagons should be released after 24 hours. The 01"'der J)rovides t 1.1at the charges and fx•ee periods set out in the schedule to the OI'der shall not apply to wagons used for the conveyance of coal, colce or ~~Jatent f uel where the operation of such wagons is regulated undeI' a systei_-;, of contx•ol agreed between the 'Railway Companies and t l-ie interests concerned,· and approved by the Minister of Trans9ort. The :Minister has c;iven an assurance that the Order will be administered with due regard to any genuine difficulties which traders and agricultu.ralists may have in giving strict compliance, provided they can show t hat by the institution of a proper control of their forwarding arrange~1:.ents and, '\7here practicable and -2 ­ necessary, the re-organisation of t heir unloading and storar;e themselves to the needs of tho situation. Ministry of Transport, t'Ict i'")o :·.-)ole Stl t 1(L i r:.c;s , Nort hunbcrland J,vcnuc, ~\V ~C I) 2 o J-1~11-.Pe_c eml) ~.IJ__]SJ3 9 o (18239 )" STATUTOTIY RULE~ AND OnDF..RS, 19;.59, No.090~' ., , . ~ ~ ;~ 'f it : :z~.LRGENCY ?O\l.GRS (DEFEn-Cfi~) TIAILV!AYS. -·--­ 'n!E RAIL'>/AY2 (DEiv:UR?.AGE CFAPG-ES) ORDER, 1939. In virtue of his povrers under· the Defence Regulations 19399 (a) the l':li n lster of Transport l:ereby orders as fallows :­ 1. The charges authorised by this Order may be made by any of the undertakers named in the Railway Control Order9 1939, (b) · and shaJl take effect notwithstanding any obligation or limitation imposed upon such undertalrnrs by or by virtue of any Act or other Instrument determining their functionso 2, The chc=-1rge s set out in the First Part of the Schedule hereto may be charged for detention of' Ra ilway Companies' wagons 9 containers and sheets beyond the res9ective free fleriods defiLed ln the Second part of that Schedule; Provid ed that the charges and free periods hereinafter referred to shall not apply to wagons used for the conveyance of coal9 coke or pa tent fuel where the operation of such wagons is regule.t ed under a system of control agreed between the railway companies and the interests concerned ·and approved by the Minister of Transporto 3. In this Order the expression "Railway Companies' wagons" shall mean the wa gons of the aforesaid undertalrnrs and any wagons requisitioned by the hlinister of Transport under the Defence Regulations9 1939e 4. This Order shal1 have effect on and from the 15th December 9 19399 ·and may be cited as "'rhe Railways (Demurrage Charges) Order 9 193911 • T H E S C H E D U L E. (The charge in each case i s for every period of 24 hours or part of' such period)o Section 1. './agons (other than those referred to in section .2 ). CHARGES a Per 'Jagono ( 1) ·.IAGONS OTHER THAN TO· IN (2) 9 (3) and THOSE REFERRED (4) OF THIS SECTION £11 So 60 do Oo (b) SoRo & Oo 1939 No.1197. -2 .. (2 ) HIGH CA?AC I 'l'Y WAGO~S-Above 16 and not exctedi ng 20 tolls 80 Oo Above 20 and not exceeding 30 tons o 12 0 Oo " 30 t ons . 1. 1. Oo ( 3 ) SPECIALLY c o:JS 'l'RU CTED Above 15 and under 20 VAGONS tons o - 120 o.. 20 and under 30 tons. l o 5 o Oo 30 tons Over 60 and up tons. to 60 tonso 2 o 2 o Oo By specie.l arrangement .. ( 4) REFRIGEHATOR A!!.;ID I NSULATED VANSo l o 5~ Oo CHARQ-E~. ~r :':£9gon.. £0 s. d. ( 1) 1?.~~.'.QE_E: COJWEYANCE ­ (i ) At Stations 9 Depots 9 Jorts, Doc1rn 9 \/harves and Private Sidings other than Collier y Sidings (except in the case of wagons referred to in (3) of this Section)o 3. o. (ii)At Colliery Sidings in Scotland and the North-East ern Area of the London and North Eastern Railway Company (except in the ca r:;e of wagons ref erred to in ( 3) of this Section) o 3.. o., ( 2 ) mER coN:DPJAl'JCE ­ At Stations9 Depots9 Ports, Docks 9 'Jharves, Private Sidings and Barging Places (except in the case of wagons referred to in (3) of this Section) e 3. o. ( 3 ) BEFORE OR AF];E_R COJ\i'_VEYANCE ­ ( i) In the North-EBster·n Area of the London and North Eastern Railway Company and in Scotland ­ \/agons exceeding 16 t ons and not exceeding 20 t onso 4.. o.. Wagons exceeding 20 t ons and not exceeding 30 tons. 6. o.. \fugons exceedi ng 30 tonso 10 .. o. (ii) On the Southern Rai lrrn.y9 Vagons of 20 tons. 4 ,. o.. -3 - CttMGES. Per Contai~s £0 S., do All t ypes 9 excep t Types H & ~)Le Containers Inculat ed 9 VentilateC Meat and Drikold Cont&iners. 60 o. Types H & SL. When left on wagon for 1. 6., convenience of trader Minimum 6/-per wagon load.­ When left on wagon for convenience of Railway Company or r·ernoved f rorn the wagono Insulated (including bunkered) Containers and Ventilated Meat Contai.nerso lo 5., Oo Drikold Containers. 12.. Oo Section 4Q Sheets. Charge per sheet. Section 5o \ifagons 9 Containers and Sheets ordered by Traders but not used$ Charges as for detention will be applicable a s from the time the wagon 9 container or sheet is placed at the trader's disposala Section 6., Internal User of Wagons and Sheets ( includinEL Internal User at Collieries:) Charges as for detention will be applicable; Provided that in any case where a charge for detention is not specified in this Schedule the charge for internal user shall be as follows :­ S • do (1) wagons (other than those referred to in (2) of this Section) 3~ o. (2) high capacity wagons exceeding 16 tons -· By special· arrapgruuentc Sect ion 7. Wagons 9 Containers anci Sheets held out o(_J?·x~~tion owing to Traders' inability to accept. Charges as for detention will be applicable as if the wagons containers or sheets had been duly placed in position. -4 ­ PART II. General Provisions . In calculating the free periods set out in this part cf the Schedule the following rules shall have effect:­ 1. Subject as hereinafter provided, letters placed after the number of hours denote the time from which the free periodis calculated, as follows :­ (a) After the wagon is placed at the Trader's disposal. (b) After receipt by the Trader of notice 0f arrival of wagon (c) After arrival at the port. (d) After the Container is placed at the Trader's disposal. ( e) After receipt by the Trader of notice of 9rrtvel of Containers. 2. Sundays, Bank Holidays and the period from 12 noon to midnight on Saturdays shall not be included. 3. When the free period commences after 12 noon on any day it shall be deffined not to include any part of that day. £PREE _.£:ERI.ODS. Section ]:: Wagons__{g_ther than those referred to in Secti©n .el. BEFORE CONVEYANCE - FREE PERIODS. At StatiQns, Depot s, Private Sidings, Ports, Docks and Wharves. 24 hours (a) AFTER CONVEYANCE. At Stations and Depots. 24 hours (b) At Ports (Shipment traffic). 24 hours (c) At Private Sidings, Docks and Wharves . ( 24 hours (a) (if returned empty ( 48 hours (a) (if returned loaded. Sel.:tion 2: Wagons, when used for the conveyance Qf Coal, Coke, or Patent Fuel, or of' Iron Or~Ironstone or n Lime52_!one, for Blast Furnaces. BEFORE CONVEYANCE - FREE PERIODS. At Stations, Depots, Ports, Docks, Wharves and Private Sidings (other 24 hours (a) than Colliery Sidings). At Colliery Sidings in Scotland and North Eastern Area of L.N.E. Company. 24 hours (a) AFTER CONVEYANCE ­ At Stati~ns and Depots. -* 24 h:lurs (b) ..... 5 * Note: In the case of wagons of Coal, Coke 9 and patent Fuel delivered to regi st er ed Coal !Vlerchant s 9 a free period of 48 hours wi l l appl y until 31st March 9 19400 At Private Sidings, Docks hours (a) if returned empty. ~ 24 arid vfharves 48 hours if returned loadedo At Barging Places 84 llour s ia) b~ At l)orts -for Shipment 24 hours c) Other than for Shipment 24 hours (b) BEF'ORE CONVEYANCE - FREE PERIOD~ At Stations9 Depots, Tr aders' Pr emises, Private Si dings, Por ts 9 Docl{S or VV-harves 24 hours (d ) AFTER CONVEYANCE ­ Containers (otlle r than Insula t ed9 Vent ilated Meat, or Drikold Conta iners) ­ At Stations or Depots 24 hour s ( e ) At Trader s 9 Premises 24 hours At Private Sidings, Docks (24 hours if retur ned empty or Wha rves ( 48 hours if returned loaded.. m At Ports (Shipment traffic) 24 hours ( c) Insuln.ted ( including bunkered ) Containers 9 Ventilat ed Meat and Drikold Contai ne r s At Stations or Depot s 24 hours ( e ) At Traderst premises 24 hours (d) At Private Sidings 9 Docks or Wha r ves 24 hours ~d ) At Ports (Shipment traffic) 24 hours c) Section 4~ Sheets PREE PERI.ODS ( 1 ) Sheet s pr ovided for use with wagons As for the wagons .. (2) Sheets provided for use wj_ th containers As for the containers a Section 5: Ylcigons~ontainers or Sheet s or dered b;L_Trader§_ 12_ut nOL £§..ede NO FREE J?ER I OD. §.ection 6 : Int~rnal_Use:iz of \lagons and Sheets-1.iQcluding internal user ~t Coll i eries). NO FREE PERI ODo Si gned on behalf of the Minister of Transport this 14th day of December 1939. R. He HILLo Authorised by the Minister. No reports have been received of tte killed and wounded in the British ships which took part in the sharp act ion yesterday off Montevideoo These wi l l be pulJlished at the earliest moment. In spite of the damage ·which caused 11Ex0t cr 11 to drop out of the engagement the two small 6-inch cruisex•s pl<.~::-sued the German pocket battleship into the Plate ri ver9 and nov await her in the estuary where they have been strongl y r einforcedo It must be understood that -rery lcrge forces have been employed for many weeks in searchj_ng th3 vas·.-t; spaces of the South Atlantic both by sea and air 9 and that m1;.ch t i me and many disappointments were i nevj_tab le b3fc~'::; the r·2~.der could be found. It is r emarkable h oi,v l:Lt ·sle 11::_:iC.r8n2:c the 11 G::>af Spee" has been able to inflict upon the rnov0m8nts of hundreds of ships through these waters during t he two months she has been at large. Compared to the mischief YvI'ought by the :1Emden" her depredations have been pettyo As soon as de tails of the action are r eceived, the Admiralty will publish a further statement dealing with the conduct of the officers and men who, under the command of Commodore Harwood, encountered and chased from the sea s a vessel so much thej.r superior in weight of metaL +++++++++ URGENT NEl:!/S. A, M. Bulletin No.l69A~ ( 'I'he King's Sup) ly of Christmas Cards.) The Air Minis t ry snnounces~ ­His Majesty the King, Marshal of the Royal Air Force, has been gr ciously pleused to instruct the Royal Air Force Comforts Committee to send a supply of their Christmas cards for His Majesty's use. These are the grce tin[s cards which are now on sale to the public at most stores and st8tioners and from which the Royal Air Force Comforts Fund will benefit to the extent of the entire production profits . The greeting cord is c reproduction in colour of Mr. F. Gordon Crosby's strildng painting 11 In a ··for ld of Space" . The painting vividly depicts flight of t1rvo R,A. F, aircraft among huge cumulus clouds, Press and Publicity Branchs Air Ministry, King Charles Street, Whitehall, S.W~l. 14.12.39. R.A.F. ATTACK ON DORNIERS OVER NORTH Sr.ft . Not to be quoted as an official Air Ministry Bulletin. Further details of the engagements between aircraft of the R.A.F. Coastal Command and two Dorniers over the North Sea on Wednesday show th8.t the second combat was almost an exact repetition of the first~ On each occasion, the British Aircraft fired almost the srune number of rounds of ammunition and did almost the same amount of damage to the enemy. Both combats took place at the seJ-:ie height and in both cases cloud bank provided the enemy with a ready means of (;scape. In the first engagement, the British aircraft were far out from their base and near Scandinavian waters. They were flying low, on account of heavy cloud at 1,200 feet. The enemy was R big tandem-engined Dornier flying boat. Our aircraft attacked and for 28 minutes fought the enemy in the narrow space between sea and cloud. The crew of the heavily armed Dornier blazed e.we.y with all their guns. as their pilot sought to out manoeu-vre his pursuers, but the British pilots were too quick for the enemy gunners. Keeping well out of the field of fire, they position,;d their nircraft for their ovm gunners to get to work. Finally, with both her rear gunners hit, her Diesel oil t anks punctured, and the fuel "literally streaming from the nacelles and sponsons, ;i the enemy gave up the f'ight and st~uggled into the obscurity of the cloud. The British aircraft thAn pr oceeded on their patrol. An hour later, over 100 miles away, the same British crew~ encountered another enemy Dornier, and again attacked, This time the fight lasted only ten r!1inutes before the enerr1y aircraft -its rear gunner hit and black ·:·il and smoke :pouring from it -sought refuge in the low cloud banks,, ~ The oil and smoke left a trail fully a mile long. It would be surprising if either of the crippled German nircraft was able t o reach its base. -------0?0------­ NOT FOR PUBLICATION BEFORE 90....2..Q...Eo_M_& _ l4~/_l_?~./~3_9_~~~N_o~ '!il!B.. COMlJIENTARXJ}-11 ADVANCE COPY OF BROADCAST BY MAJOR-GENERAL SIR ERNEST SWINT.ON. K. B. E,, .c. B.. ,Do s., Oo ON THURSDAY, DECEM£?~R J.4" _193~_&9.. 15 ~·Mo Before I begin my commentary this evening I want to say ten words -not as an ex-soldier nor as an ex-professor -but as a Briton -"We are fighting for our lives and for our freedomo Since my last talk two events have happened which call specially for reference. The first is the Anglo--French agreement to co-:::.~peration in the field of financeo This is of outstanding importanceo It is comprehensive and far-reaching, and means that the two Governments will act together in this field with the same solidarity as in the military sphere. It will elimi.nate all cause for difference in this direction, and will do away with currency complications and speculationo It will enable the Allies to exploit to the full their undoubted potent~al economic superiorityo The second event, announced at the close of the Kingts recent visit to France, is the taking over by our troops of a sector of the Maginot position. Apart from the contributions to the joint military effort its spiritual value is immenseo Our men are now actually fighting alongside their French comrades in the front line defence of France. And even those of the French forces who are not in a position to see the khaki with their own eyes have the satisfaction of knowing that we are thereo The only ~uarter in which there has lately been any serious fighting is in the very north of Europe, where the eyes of the world are fixed/ fixed on the struggle being vvaged near the .Arctic circle by Finland., It is a mod0rn version of th~ fi ght between David and Goliath. As to its international ~,epercussions , I stated a fortnight ago that I could make no predictionc I can add very little now~ The sympathy of all is with this courae:-eous little nation. But more than sympathy is re­-quirad if :Winland is to ma:::..ntain her independence. Y know, and you know, that we and c thcr nations are sending aeroplanes. We are also supplying gasmasks and in spite of our commitments giving every help we can. Germany's attitude is making itself clear, on the other side. She is doing what s .J.e can to hold up the passage of supplies, including an ambulance aeropl.me, from neutral countries to the Finns. It was rumoured that she a~~lowed some Italian aeroplanes to refuel on their way across Germanyo But I haven't been able to get official con­firmation for thiso Tho Scandinavian countries are those to whjc]'.i this latest victim of aggression would natura_lly first t '..irn for aic.-. Denmark is in nc position to help even if she would. Sweden and Norway are also neutral and are bound to feel themselves in a perilous situation between the upper millstone of' tho Bolsheviks and the nether millstone of the Nazis., But if Finland is crushed, one wonders what is to prevent both these countries in their turn meeting with a similar fate? One thing is definite. The Soviet Government hasrrejected the League proposal to mediate. N cw, a word about the military operations in Finland.. The RussiMs are attacking :b.n three main directions. In t he far north thay have landed round Pc;tsamo on the Arctic Oce:.an8 From the Finnish Eastern frontier they aJ.•e making more than on0 thrust westward towards the Gulf of Bothnia, so as to split Finland in half. On the south, on the Kare.l.Lan Isthmus 9 between Lake Ladoga Elnd the Gulf of Finland, which is their direct line of advance, they are still held up in front of the ManrJJ2..t'-heim pos ition. This is the Finnish Maginot line, /a -3 ­ a very strong line of defence stated to have been planned after 1918 against just such an invasion. But the communications here are sufficient to make the concentration of an invading force comparatively simple. None the less, the front between the Gulf o.f Finland and Lake Ladoga is narrow , and the space available for manoeuvre is much cut up by lakes. It is therefore a theatre in which numbers cannot be · properly exploited, and. the'~ig battalions11 of the Reds can only try to smash their way forward by costly frontal attacks. In the old days, some of you may remember, the Tsar's soldiers were good material for carrying out operations of this nature. They were dogged, loyal, and disciplined, but had little imagination. Their Soviet successors may be equally good. They may possibly have more imagination, but they probably have less faith and less discipline. In this particular diEe~tion, therefore, it is possible that the Russians, instead of carrying out bloody frontal attacks, W·ill. wait for the ice to be thick enough for them to advance across Lake Ladoga against the left of the Finnish defences. The shape of Finland is rather like a cucumber lying North and Beuth, and the Eastern front is too long for the defenders to hold the whole of it in strength. But here again, the invaders' movements are restricted by poor communications and a difficult country. In the extreme north the landing of an expedition against Petsamo is easier, for their command of the sea enables the Hussians to transport troops and supplies to this point from the Russian port of Petsamo. But any movement southwards from here would suffer from the same difficulties as those presented on the East. According to reports the Hussians have now brought up to the Finnish frontiers a million and a half of men9 and. a thousand aeroplanes. But their forces are said to be unsuitably equipped, not too well trained, and badly led, owing to the dearth of good officers consequent on the numerous Soviet purges. They include 9 also a considerable proportion of Mahomed.an troops from the Caucasus, who are not acclimatised to winter near the Artie circle. A possible reason for their emplo~rment so far north may be to avoid any rislrn -in the event of trouble with Turkey -of their having to fight their co-religionists. Lastly9 there is the factor of the Artie winteJ'.', which is all against the Russians who have to advance and in favour of the mobile and lightly equipped Finns on the Defensive. I thinlc therefore ; that on land at any rate, the Russians may not necessarily gain an immediate decision. In the air it is a different story; and by ruthless employment of their overwhelming strength the Russians might rapidly destroy all the essential services and main centres of the Finn resistance. One way and another, the odds against her are far too heavy for Finland singlehanded to carry on the struggle for long. It is tempting to compare the campaign which has been forced on Finland by one of the two man-eaters at present at large in Europe with the recent Polish campaign. There has been nothing on the same scale on the Western Front so far. Dut no one can tell when it may begin; and it may be worth while to compare these two most recent examples of major operations with a view to learning some lessons. In each it has been a case of a sudden Puthless attack after long preparation, but without declaration of war, by a large and very powerful nation on a small and weak one. In each the invading armies have advanced concentrically from three fronts. The Russians seem to have a greater preponderance in numbers over their victim than the Germans had over theirs. But in pi'eparation, organisation, equipment and armament, the Russians are inferior to the Germans. rlhat they're like in the air still remains to be seen. There are differences, of course, between these campaigns. Poland is a flat countPy with forest areas and rivers which, but for the dry season, mi,crht have proved serious obstacles to the movement of the German mechanised troops. F'inland on the Russian boi:>der· is cut -5 ·­ up by an irnm.ense number of lakes and dense forests and hills which are bound tc be serious obstacles whatever the weather. When the Germans advanced, most of the rivers were dry, nnd this made possible the forward rush of their mechanised f orces. The Russians, so far, have had the elements against them, and the movement of their armoured :forces has been hampered by snow. The Peles were nc:t :fully mobilised when the war started. They were weak in the air and in mechanised strength. Their country was infested by spies. The Germans carried cut carefully arranged surprise air attacks on their main junc~ions, concentration points, aerodromes and munition factories . The Poles were E?.t once blinded and to a great extent irnm:•bilisec1, and were unable to put up Emy co-ordinG.ted resistance. Their forces were cut of'f fror;n each other, isolated, surrounded, and mopped up rJne by one. NevertheJ.ess, they fought with the utmost gallantry, and were prepared to go on fighting on a last line of resistance when they were assailed in the rear by the Russians. Tho.t was the end. The Polish General Staff had not thought of war in terms of modern arms and methods) and expected too much fr:Jm their large force of horse-mounted cavalry. TheJ had not really a fighting chance. Against the Finr::s9 the Russians have adopted simjiar s trategy. But neither their preparatory staff work, their leaders:.hip, nor their efficiency come up to that of the Germans, They have b'een surprised at the stout resistance they ho.ve met with9 and have been h'.8.ndicapped by the weather. So far the 1.me operation which might have b:een 'J f use as an example to the British,, French or Germans in the 111.'estr ­namely an attack en the Mannerheim fortified position -has not yet been really seriously 2tte~nted. For the rest the opposing forces have been toe unequal to nske any deduction pro:fitablec -6­ Whether you have been interested or not in my cornr11entary to-night 9 the warning with which I now end seems .to me more important than anythinb I've said yet. OUr enemy is ruthless 9 efficient, unscrupulous and cunning. We're fighting a war-machine of 88 millions of fanatical people who are ready to sell their souls for victory. If we' re to beat them we have got to tal{e things more seriously than we are doing. We have got to put our house in order. rJe have got to prevent overlapping in our effort and waste of money. We have ~o sheer through red tape 9 and get a move on. We have to make sure that we all know what we are fighting for and have the will to win. It vrnn' t be an e·asy task. There will be setbacks and days of black depression. But the realisation of what it Yrill :naan to us if we do not win, should make us set our teeth. May we do it before it is too late. The red light is at danger. And I repeat, with all the seriousness of which I am capable, the uords I spoke fifteen minutes ago : "We are fighting for our lives and for our freedom." I add :­ "Once we realise that, \Ve are bound to win." ++++++++++++ 14/12139 No 32 FR"!\NCH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE (EVENING) The following official communique was issued :from French GeHoQ this evening;­ Rather sharp engagements between the reconnaissance units in the Vos;;~s and along the Blies. AIR MINISTRY BULLETIN. ~4.12.39. -No.33. NOR~H SEA AIR BAT~:·1~. The Air Ministry announces :­ Throughout the last 24 hours, considerable forces of the R.A.F. have been operating over the North Sea. These opera : :tions have included a wide search for enemy surface craft and submarines, and a close reconnaissance of the estuaries and fortified islands of North West Germany. One formation of our aircraft engaged strong enemy fighter forces in the Heligoland Bight. In the ensuing encounter intense fighting developed, in the course of which four Messerschmitt fighters and three of our aircraft were shot down. All our other formations returned without loss. ------000-----­