IIRM- AID ; MOHLAU ■ STORY 17.11.44 - No. 1

"LET’ 8 GO" TAS GEERAL’S ORDER

(This is Take 2of M. 0,1. Handout Ho. Lg. of Thursday, 16/11/44) Thirty minutes after the .attack started I watch«d our leading tanks enter the small town of LOVERICHONE, a mile from the starting point. German opposition was confined to mortar and 88 fire but though I observed several near misses I did not see any of our tanks hit. It was the first fine day we have had for three weeks. Orders last night said, ”'.7e attack to-morrow, fair weather or foul’. All was quiet and peaceful looking when I took up my position at the tank command post soon after dawn* Right in the middle of no-man’s-land five black and white cows were grazing while, not far from then, a number of German peasants, all men, were digging sugar beet blissfully unaware of the storm that was to break over their heads within a’few hours. The first sound heard eattlefield was the approach of American fighter- bombers soon .after 9 a*in. The sky above was clear but there was a ground mist. Towns of LOVERICH, SETTERICX and A h which are groupswithin two-wiles of each other, were well .and truly dive-bombed. There was only slight A.A. fire. The- first round though the Germans didn’t know it in the 9th Army’s drive had begun.

,7ith three hours still to go for The Hour I crawled my way back through mud and visited the tanks assembly points. The crews had been waiting impatiently in them all through the night. I spoke to some' of these young .Americans and found them cheerful and bursting to ’’get cracking". A tank driver from Missouri'said to me, ’lf they postpone this show to-day I am going t.. resign my Job". He had Marge painted on his tank and I saw it roll past the control point a few hours later, guns blazing, mud flying high. /aves of heavy bombers passed over us flying very high.

/more Second. Add to Noel Monks’ Story:

17/11/44 No. 1a

’’LET’S GO” WAS GENERAL’S ORDER

By Noel Monks for. Combined Press

They unloaded, their bomb© several miles behind the battle zone and we could hear the muffled crumps of their block-busters* Towards noon evidence was piling up that the sugar beet field in front of us was about to become a ‘battlefield* The Germans began to lob seme light artillery not far from our command post but our general said, ’’Pay no attention to that* The Jerrys have been trying to hit this place for weeks*” Then some of our batteries replied to the German fire, just as it would have an ordinary day* But this was no ordinary day* As if sensing something, the G-erman peasants quit their beet picking and returned to Loverich* We watched them exchange greetings with the G-erman infantry holding the trenches before the town* After five weeks of night patrolling the Americans knew where every enemy trench was* The thing that will always puzzle me is they did not take potshots at our command post* Maybe it was too obvious, stuck out there in No-Man’s-L and to be considered as anything but a hay-stack* There were many haystacks scattered, about in the fields* The ones on the G-erman side of the line housed machine-gun posts and I saw some of our tanks pumping shells into them* They were soon alight and I thought how nice and warm it must be beside them* It was below zero where we were* The last quarter of an hour seemed an age* With five minutes to go our general picked up his telephone and stood looking at his watch* After two long minutes he put it down again* His voice was firm and calm three minutes later when he gave the order ”G-c M * The tanks rolled eastward* (more)

ADD NOEL NONk’ 1 ST'-RY 17.11.44 - No. 2

’LET’S GO" J.AS GET RM? S ORDER

By NOEL HONN, for Combined Press

(NOTE: This take should be inserted between the Second and Third Adds, already issued: that is, after the sentence ■’The tanks rolled eastward . It was feared the Germans woul-’ put down a terrific concentration of fire 'Across the open country over which our tanks had to advance. It was feared we would probably lose twenty or thirty tanks before the first objective was reached. The General was a happy man as we watched his tanks churn and slither their way through the German mud, nearer and nearer to the safety of LOVERICH. ■ Jo in the tank command post had a few anxious moments when the first line of our they tallies' breasted the tank pits. Zould they be halted? If they were/would be exposed to fire from enemy tanks, so a number of our tank destroyers took up their stations right along the tank pits. They looked strong and defiant, like Gibraltar. Their services were not needed, for not only did our tanks slither their way across the obstacle but no enemy tanks put in an appearance. Just after the tanks negotiated the tank trap they cane up against German fire from trenches and it was then we watchers saw dozens of Germans pop up out of the mud and, empty-handed, stagger and slide towards LOViLIICH. Hany of them were caught by machine-gun fire from the tanks following behind and fell into two-feet of mud and lay still. Others shot their hands over their heads and turned towards our lines. I saw a head pop out of one of our tank turrets and .an arm waved them out of the way of the oncoming tanks. These men did not do much fighting on :; Holy ! ’ German soil. Jhcn scores of our tanks were half-way across the field, we saw an inspiring sight. Strung out in long irregular lines the American infantry began their march close behind the tanks.

IiINISTRY 01' INNOINATION

(The story continues as in Third _-dd. "The General’s staff .gave a little cheer")

THIRD ADD : NOEL . 10NK’ S STORY Page 2

(17/11/44 - No. 1a) "LET’S GO" JAS GENERAL’S ORDER

By NOEL MONKS, for Combined Press

The General ’s st off gave a little cheer. "Good for you, my boughfeet", they said. The lines- of infantry wfent forward as steadily as the tanks had gone before them, although by now enemy shells of half-a-dozen calibres were landing, I saw a few Americans fall, but the Yanks kept moving forward. From woods on the- fringe of the town we could see flashes of German small arms fire Then, with about two-hundred yards to go the Americans started running through the thick air. . bovo the booming of the artillery we could hear the crackle of machine-guns .and the whoof of bazookas. The tanks had stepped right on the outskirts of the town and with a final dash the Americans closed in -and went beyond our sight into the town, I looked at my watch. The 2,000-yard dash across open, defended country had. taken exactly 30 minutes, Je got -away to a flying slfart and were still going.

(END) MINISTRY ON INFORMATION

17/11/44 - No. 3

NO CIVLIAN AIR LETTER SERVICE TO U.S.A, - YET 3,000 LETTERS POSTER EVERT PEEK "

Over 3,000 civilian 6d, air letters are being incorrectly posted every week addressed to the United States. The civilian air letter service does not at present extend to the U.S.A. But air letters, which are written on special light-weight forms obtainable at post offices, price 6d, including postage, can be sent to civilian addresses in practically all Empire countries and in Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, Egypt, Iraq and Iran. They are carried by air all the way and generally secure considerable acceleration over the ordinary air mail letters at Is. per half ounce which, for many destinations, have,in wartime, to be carried at least part of the journey by sea.

Gj£NIR;\L POST OFFICE

17.11.44. No. 5.

Note:- Simultaneous release has been arranged in Washington and the South East Asia Command.

TO BE DEPUTY SWM3 COLOIAHDER S.E.A»C

Lieutenant General RAYMOND A. UHEELER, United States Amy, has been designated hy Combined Chiefs of Staff as Deputy Supreme Allied Commander, South East Asia Command,

MILITARY AFFAIRS 17.11.44 No. 6

NOT FOR PUBLICATION,. BROADCAST, OR USE ON CLUB TAPES BEFORE 0830 B.S.T. (i.c. FOR EVENING PAPERS) ON FRIDAY NOVEMBER 17,1944 THIS EMBARGO SHOULD BE RESPECTED OVERSEAS BY PREFACING ANY MESSAGES FILED WITH ME EMBARGO

AIR MINISTRY NEWS SERVICE AIR MINISTRY BULLETIN No. 16366

20,000,000, lbs. ;f VITAL SUPPLIES BY All? TO THE FRONT

Since D day a group of R.A.F. Transport Command, specially-formed to cope with invasion traffic, has flown more than 20,000,000 lbs of vital supplies to forward airfields in France, Belgium and Holland# In addition'more than 3,000,000 lbs have been carried.by air to the Continent and 1.4,000 service personnel ferried safely over the Channel, On return trips, 900,000 lbs of freight, 700,000 lbs of'mail and 9,000 passengers have been flown to this country. . This group, which has p'laypd a vital role in the onslaught on Occupied Europe, flow more- than's,ooo airborne troops to be dropped or landed by gliders behind the no my’s lines. Supply dropping is another important part of its activities. Since June, Transport Command Dakotas have dropped 4,000 panniers containing urgent supplies. Hundreds of jeeps, motor-cycles, anti-tank guns and other war materials have been landed’in gliders near the front line. Transport Command pilots and aircrews have frequently had to run the gauntlet of fighters and flak in aircraft that cannot, for reasons of weight economy, "be armed. Some - happily fewer than feared - have given their lives, others have been wounded. This work is done by the same 'operational group that has brought without loss from the battlefields to Britain, 45,000 wounded, representing all the Services, ana forming's considerable percentage of the total casualties. British, Dominion, F.F.I .and even German soldiers and airmen owe their lives; to the swift, smooth transit to hospital that this mercy service of the R.A.F. provides.

17/11/44 No. 9.

NOT FOR PUBLICATION, BROADCAST IN OVERSEAS BULLETINS OR USE ON CLUB TAPES BEFORE 2330 B.S.T. ON FRIDAY NOVEMBER 17. (i.e. FOR SATURDAY MORNING PAPERS). NOT TO BE BROADCAST IN THE MIDNIGHT NEWS OP NOVEMBER 17/18. THIS EMBARGO SHOULD BE RESPECTED OVERSEAS BY PREFACING ANY MESSAGES FILED WITH THE EMBARGO.

THE EAST RIDING YEOMANRY IN WESTERN EUROPE.

The East Riding Yeomanry are fighting as part of an armoured formation in North -Western Europe. They'landed on the shores of Normandy a little more than a week after D-Day. One of the many actions in which they have taken part was the assault on Caen, when their formation had to its credit the provision of the first armour to fight its way into the town on which the German defensive line was primarily based. Since that splendid victory, the East Riding Yeomanry have played a worthy part in the great drive to the east. As part of the left flank of the British line, they drove eastward and then north to the mouth of the Seine during the last days of August, battered their way up past the Channel ports, and their formation took an important share in the operations which brought about the fall of Le Havre on September 12. Constantly meeting German armour and formidable anti-tank defences inpositions which favoured the defence, the East Riding Yeomanry have throughout the campaign, enjoyed a high reputation as thrusting fighters vfco are at their best when the need for them is most dire.

MILITARY AEFAIRS. 17.11.44 - No.ll

NOT FOR PUBLICATION, BROADCAST, OR USE ON BLUB TAPES BEFORE B.’S.T. (i.e. FOR-EVENING PAPERS) ON FRIDAY 17TH NOVEMBER, IW. THIS EMBARGO SHOULD BE RESPECTED OVERSEAS BY PREFACING ANY MESSAGES FILED WITH THE EMBARGO

PZRTIS>S CHEER VICTORIOUS M.G.B. s. Yugoslav partisans operating on the shores of the -Adriatic frequently rushed on to the jetty at their advanced base to cheer two of the Navy’s Motor Gun Boats which invariably had one or more enemy '’captures” in tow. One of the gun boats was under the commad of Lieut.R.M. Cole,. R.N.V.R.., of Bristol, and the other was commanded by Lieut. M. Mount-Stephens, R.N.V.R., of Leigh-bn-Sea, Essex. "The crowds grew bigger everyday" said Lieut.Mount-Stephens. "But one night we v/ere out of luck and the tongue-clicking and head-wagging in the "gallery" the next morning was very embarrassing. It was obvious they thought we were slipping badly." ® But the two M. G.B.s soon made up for the "lapse". A few nights later they intercepted an enemy convoy of seven ships. Four of them were sent to the bootom of the Adriatic in a hectic action, end in the morning, to the accompaniment of even louder cheering from the "gallery" they triumphantly towed in the enen\y survivors, a. Motor Launch and two caiques. Even before her sinkings and captures off the Dalmatian coast began Lieut. lfount-Stephens f ■M.G.B’s had a fine record. They were reported to be the first Allied surface craft to break through the Messina St mats at the time when General Montgomery poising the Bth /rmy for its leap on to the Italian mainland from Sicily. Since then Lieut. Mount-Stephens has been cruising round German occupied islands of the Aegean Sea. He took part in the Leros operation and with two M.T.B.S was responsible for safely escorting the crippled Grek destroyer H.H.M.S. ZDRI/S away from thnt area. Sub Lieut. Edward Lonsdale, R.N.V.R. of Lytham,St. Annes, near Blackpool, is First Lieutenant of the M.G.B. and her second officer Sub Lieut. Elever Lewis, R.N.V.I of Pontypool. These two and their Captain heard a dog in one of the ships of. en / Adriatic

2

Adriatic convoy they Mere routing. Though the ship was already in a sinking condition when the discovery was made, they took their Gun Boat alongside and a rescue party hoarded the derelict to bring the dog to safety. Lieutenant Cole’s M.G-.8., has an outstanding record, of gunning, ramming, and towing enemy craft. To show that she could put all three into one night’s sortie she roared into the lines cf an enemy convoy, one night and. with another M.G-.8. disposed, one way or another, of seven ships. First of all, an Italian assault boat was cut in two by ramming. Then attention was focused on three G-erman I-boats. One blew up instantly. The second, went down after a longer duel and the third was subdued and boarded. But there was still a hot reception for Sub Lieutenant W. J.Callow, R.N.V.R., of South Pet he rt on, Saner set, the First Lieutenant, who leapt into the G-erman craft along with Able Seaman F.B.Hore, of Lee-on-Solent. In the darkness, guns flashed. Sub Lieutenant Callow and Able Seaman Hore replied with their revolvers. They shot it out for a few minutes until the Boat’s Commander fell dead, and the crew surrendered. While their M.G-.8. headed, away to deal with a motor launch and two caiques, Sub Lieutenant Callow and Able Seaman Here persevered to keep their prize afloat, but it had sustained too many hits from the British guns and slowly sank under them. They wore picked up by another M.G-.8. and the two boats returned to base towing the Motor Launch and the two caiques.

NAVAL AFFAIRS

(2085) Wt. 31660/6132 2|m 10/43 C.&Co. 745(8)

MINISTRY OF LABOUR & NATIONAL SERVICE—Press Notice

17.11.44 No.12

REGISTRATION OF BOYS AND GIRLS ORDER, 1941 AND THE EXCHANGE OF NATIONAL REGISTRATION IDENTITY CARDS

1. On Saturday, 25th November, 1944 all British boys and girls bom between 29th October, 1928 and 25th November, 1928, both dates inclusive, are required to register particulars about themselves at a Local Office of the Ministry of Labour and National Service or a Juvenile Employment Bureau or special Registration station of a Local Authority which is undertaking the Registration, unless they are exempted by the Order from liability to register. In addition certain boys and girls bom between 26th November, 1926 and 28th October, 1928, both dates inclusive, who for any reason (including absence from Great Britain) have not previously registered are also required to register unless they are exempted by the Order from liability to register. 2* On the same day all boys and girls, British and alien, resident in England and Wales or Scotland whose 16th birthday was on any date from the 29th October to 25th November, 1944, both dates inclusive, are required to attend at the offices named above for the purpose of exchanging their National Registration Identity Cards for a new adult Blue Identity Card*

Explanatory Note H.Q.483-500 K.N*

These registrations are being held, so that Local Education Authorities can get in touch with boys and. girls of 16 and. assist them, with advice and. information on what opportunities there are for them, to make good, use of their leisure time and. to help in the national effort* Previous registrations have shown that throughout the country large numbers of boys and. girls between 16 and 18 years of age are keen to give such help. After a registration, particulars of each boy and girl are sent to Local Education Authorities who invite to an interview the young people who are not already members of some form of youth organisation. All boys and girls in the age group register, but attendance for interview is voluntary on their part. The purpose of the interview is to discuss with the boys and girls the various ways in which in their spare time they can do something which will both be of value to the national effort and at the same time fit them for the larger responsibilities they will assume later on in life either in the Forces or in whatever form of national service their abilities can best be used* In most districts, such pre—service organisations as the A.T.C. and the Cadets (including Sea Cadets), are open to receive boys as members. Some boys may prefer to Join the Boys Brigade or the Boy Scouts or a youth club. For girls, there are the Girls* Training Corps the Girl Guides* Association and the various types of girls* societies and recreational clubs. All these organisations are of great value in offering to young people activities that will benefit them now and also serve as a preparation for the wider service of citizenship. Press Office, Ministry of Labour and National Service, 8, St* James’s Square, S.W.I. 17th November, 1944

AIR, WIbTRY NO, 16 380 17.11.44 - No.13

ZffOOKSW AND. MNISTRY OF HOME SECURITY COWJNI QUE

During the twenty four hours ended at dawn this morning, there was eneny air activity directed against Southern England. Damage and casualties were caused.

17.11.44. No.15

NOT FOR IUBLI'CATION, BROADCATS IN OVERSEAS BULLETINS OR- USE ON CLUB TjAES BEFORE 2330 B.S.T. ON NOVEMBER 17 1944 (i.«i FOR SATURDAY MORNING IuAERS). NOT TO BE BROADCAST IN THE IdDNIGHT NEWS OF NCVEI4ER 17-18 THIS EMBARGO SHOULD BE'RESPECTED OVERSEAS BY 1 REFACING- iaNY MESSAGES FILED UITIL THE EMBARGO '

KXIORT LICENSING IGJL/uuxTION

Some minor relaxations in the control of export are made by a new Board of Trade Order which comes'into operation on November 1 Bth* Under the present controls, licenses are required for the export of (a) all goods to certain destinations and (b) curtain goods to all destinations. The main effects of the new order are to free a number of territories (chiefly Soth Erst and West Africa) from restriction (a) and certain goods (including cosmetics, furs, wax polishes and certain drugs and chemicals) from restriction (b).

NOTE TO EDITORS Full details of the changes are given in the Board of Trade Journal of November 1 Bth, advance copies of ...which arc available to-day.

BOARD OF TRADE. 17/11/44

W0!l!8 I'o EDITORS 2BOK J<H. BHfflWgj, HBBS DtVISIOK,. M><?» I-

In hand-oUt No» of to*day please note that the opening sentence should read as follows? “The Minister of Nailefeal Insurance has appointed”. ♦.* *..etc.

17.11.44. No.20

MAIL FROM PRISONERS-OP-WAR IN G®W

A Post Office representative stated to-day that he had good news for relatives of prisoners-of-war and civilian internees in Germany, as the efforts of the Post Office to get letters from t&ese prisoners and internees had met with success and a large quantity of correspondence had now reached this country. Every effort is being made to effect delivery as rapidly as possible, and.he hoped relatives could look forward to a more frequent arrival of letters in future.

G-.P.0. 17.11.44 - No. 21

AIR MINISTRY NEWS SERVICE AIR MINISTRY BULLETIN NO. 16382

NEW SHIP BUSTER C. 0.

'Jing Commander C.G. MILSON, D.F.C., and Bar, of ’,7inton, Queensland, the pilot who recently flew several hundred miles back from a. shipping strike on one engine, has taken over Command of an Australian Beaufightcr ship-buster squadron of H, A.F. Coastal Command, He succeeds W/Cdr. JACK DAVENPOPT, 8.5.0. D.F.0., and Bar, of Blakehurst, N. S. Wales, who has been posted to the Staff of the Coastal Command Group with which the Australian Squadron operates. Wing Commander Milson is a veteran of anti-shipping warfare in two theatres of operations. His first tour was in the Middle East, where he won the D. F. C. for leading a formation of torpedo-carrying Wellingtons in an attack on a convoy of four merchant vessels escorted by 11 destroyers and a strong force of fighters. One vessel was destroyed and another damaged, and. in addition, Milson’s gunner shot down a Macchi 200. I The new C. 0. joined, the Australian Squadron early this year as a Flight Commander and distinguished himself in many actions against enemy convoys, travelling up and down the Norwegian and North Sea Coasts. In July, he was awarded the Bai’ to his D.F.C. , the citation stating: ”He has led. his striking forces with the greatest dash, and his example has been most inspiring” • In Juno, it says, Milson flow the leading aircraft of a section which attacked a number of minesweepers near-the Hook of Holland, In the face of intense anti-aircraft fire, the attack was pressed home with exceptional resolution. ”His contempt for danger has been a noteworthy feature throughout his tour”, the citation ends. W/Cdr. Milson was born on June 16,1919? &t Longreach, Queensland. He is to appear at a forthcoming investiture at Buckingham Palace to receive his D.F.C. from the King.

Photograph available from R.A.A.F. Overseas H. 0. Kodak House, Kingsway(Holborn 9211, Ext. and 34) and fromk. A.A.P. He ad quarters, Melbourne, (Ref.No..UK.ISBB) I Australian News Agencies,

17.11.44. No. 22.

NEW AMERICAN AMBASSADOR TO YUGOSLAVIA

To-day at 12 noon the new Ambassador of the U.S. to Yugoslavia Mr. Richard 0. Patterson, Jr., presented his letters of credence to H.M.King Peter II of Yugoslavia. The ceremony took v place at King Peter’s residence in London in the presence of Dr .Drago Marusia, Deputy Prime Minister of Yugoslavia, Mr.Sava Kosanovic, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr .Dusan Marinovic, Minister at Court, Mr,Rudolf E.Schoenfeld, Minister Plenipotentiary and Councillor of the American Embassy, Oapt. Donald Frothingham, U.S.N.R., Naval Attache, Major Caleb F.Gates, Jr., Military Attache, and Mr .William Fraleigh, Third Secretary of Embassy.

YUGOSLAV GOVT INFORMATION DEPT, 17/11/44

No. 25

NOT FOR PUBLICATION, BROADCAST IN OVERSEAS BULLETINS OR USE ON CLUB TAPES BEFORE 2330 B.S.T. ON FRIDAY NOV., 17 1944 (i.e. FOR SATURDAY MORNING PAPERS). NOT TO BE BROADCAST IN THE MIDNIGHT NEWS OF NOV. 17/18. THIS EMBARGO SHOULD BE RESPECTED OVERSEAS BY DEFACING ANY MESSAGES FILED WITH THE EMBARGO

The Ministery of National Insurance lias appointed. Sir Thomas Phillips, K. C. 8., K. B. E», to he Permanent Secretary, and Sir Thomas Sheepshanks, K.8.E., 0.8., to he Deputy Secretary, of the newly-established Ministry. To succeed Sir Thomas Phillips as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and National Service Mr. Bevin lias appointed Sir Godfrey Ince, K.B. E, C. 8., at present Deputy Secretary of that Ministry, and Direc r Genera lof Manpower since 194-1. T o the vacant post of Deputy Secretary Mr. Bevin lias promoted Mr. H. C. Emmerson, C. 8,, at present Chief Industrial Commissioner in the Ministry.

TREASURY 17/11/44 - No. 26

IJjDITK&MW COEHWI QUE

17th November 1944

LAND: In the Adriatic coastal sector, the Germans have blown .the banks of the Fiumi Uniti, thereby causing further large floods south of Ravenna. British troops of Eighth Army have improved, their positions north and west of Forli. Polish troops have captured, the village of Converselie, northwest of Castro.care, and are in contact with strong enemy defences on the commanding feature of Monte Castellaccio. On the right flank of Fifth Army, British and Indian troops have occupied, the important road centre of Modigliana, farther west, American troops of Fifth Army have made gains of over a mile in the Serchic valley. Alli: Heavy bombers with escort yesterday attacked targets in Southern Germany and Austra. Other heavy bombers at tacked German troop concentrations in Yugoslavia, while strategic fighters straffed enemy transport and other objectives on -Yugoslavian roads. Medium bombers of the Tactical- Force concentrated on Brenner targets, and railways in Northern Italy. Light bombers, fighter-bombers, and fighters attacked enemy communications in the Po Valley, and close support targets behind the Northern Italian battle areas. Aircraft of the Balkan and Coastal Air Forces were active against enemy transport and other targets in Yugoslavia and Albania, as well as small shipping in the Adriatic. Last night, our bombers attacked a railway bridge across the River Po. 10 In these operations,/ enemy aircraft were destroyed, and 29 of ours are missing. M. A. A'F. flow about 2,400 sorties.

17.11.44- No. 27

IiGT FOR PUBLICATION. BROADCAST ■IN BULLETINS.' OR USE ONCLUB TAPES BEFORE. iPILn' l.th WALLER (i.e. FOR SATURDAY W'liE iWERS) LOT TO EE BIWIiCAST IN THE WDPIGHT NEWS GF 17/18th NOW.BER» THIS E.BzxRGO LUST ; BE RESPECTED BY PRIIVUING ANT lESSAGES PILED WITH THE

COST OF LIVIi ; FIGURES FOR Ist NCVEhnER, 1944. -4- Ist official cost of living index figure, was 10l points above ' ; icvcL of !914, showing ho change as compared with Joth September. index figure of food prices also remains unchanged at 68 points above the vei of 'July, 1914.

OF LABOUR

17/11/44. No. 28 AIR MINISTRY COMMUNIQUE

AIR 16384

Yesterday afternoon over one thousand one hundred and fifty Lancasters and Halifaxes of JM.F. Bomber Command escorted by more than two hundred and fifty Mustangs and Spitfires of IIJ.F. Fighter Command, were despatched to attack Buren, Julich and Heinsberg, three st-rongly fortified towns east and north east of hachen. Ml three attacks were made in direct and close support of the f.mcr.ican h.rmy* Master bombers controlled every stage of the operation and all three attacks were highly concentrated* Over five thousand six hundred tons of high explosive and incendiary bombs were dropped. Four bombers and one fighter are missing.

17.11.44 - No. 29.

NOT FOR PUBLICATION, BROADCAST IN OVERSMS BULLETINS OR USE ON 4 CLUB TAPES BEFORE 233-0 BiS.T, ON NOVEMBER 17 (l,E* FOR SATURDAY MORNING PAPERS). NOT TO BE BROADCAST IN THE MIDNIGHT NEWS OF NOVEMBER 17/18. THIS EMBARGO SHOULD BE RESPECTED OVERSEAS BY PREFACING ANY MESSAGES FILED WITH THE EMBARGO

FISH, CAKES - INCREASE IN FISH CONTENT., QUALITY OF FISH USED, SIZE, AND PRICE

The Minister of Food has made a new Order S.R. & 0. 1944 No. 1278, amending the Fish Cakes (Maximum Prices) Order, S.R* & 0. No. 1593 to increase the minimum fish content and minimum weight of fish cakes and to provide for a corresponding increase in the maximum prices* At the same time the kinds of fish allocated for the fish cakes trade will, result in a greatly improved. product. The new Order will came into force on 26th November.

increased supplies of frozen fish are now available and there is a prospect of heavier landings cf fresh fish from British vessels next spring. Larger quantities of fresh and frozen fish can therefore be allotted to fish cake manufacturers to replace to seme extent the salted fish on which they have had to rely during recent years. The increased use of fresh and frozen fish will make for a more attractive fish cake.

. Stocks of frozen fish made it possible now to increase the minimum fish content frem 25% under the present Order to 35%» Manufacturers are required to comply with directions given frem time to time by the Minister with regard to the proportions cf fresh, frozen, salted, pickled or otherwise processed fish that they are to use; these proportions will be fixed according to the supply position, and the allocations of those types of fish will be made in conformity with these proportions. The new Order also increases the minimum weight of fish cakes sold by the piece from 2-J- oz. to 2j oz. The public will therefore be able.to buy in future not only a bigger fish cake, but a fish cake of much better quality. The higher production cost of the new fish' cake makes necessary a slight increase in the maximum prices. The maximum retail price of a cake sold by the piece fried will be 3d. instead of 2§-d* Corresponding increases will be made.in the prices cf unfried fish cakes and of fish cakes sold by weight from a sla.b.

The full schedule cf maxixiura prices •will be as follows;- Fried Unfried Fried Unfried On a sale other 2/2- 4/lJ 1/Og- than a sale by retail per doz. per doz. per lb. per lb. pieces pieces net net On a sale by retail 3d. per 2| per l/1 per piece piece per lb. lb. net net > MINISTRY OF FOOD

17/11/44 - No. 30 AIR MINISTRY NT ,'S SERVICE

AIR MINISTRY BULLETIN NO. 16378

CLOSE S'UPPOLT POL THS Al.l HICAY ARLY

■sor the first time since the invasion oi’ Europe, R.A.F, Somber Command has made an attack in direct and close support of the American Army, and with one of the biggest forces of heavy bombers yet despatched in any single operation. Yesterday afternoon,, more than 1,150 heavy bombers, escorted by well over 250 Mustangs and Spitfires of R„A.-h Fighter Command, were despatched to attack Duren, Julich, and Heinsberg, three towns East and North-East of Aachen, which the Germans have turned into strong fortresses for the defence of the Rhine, .

Almost every "building in these towns has become a strong-point, a storehouse' for munitions, or a billet for officers raid men. In fact, the whole ar4a in and around these towns lias been fortified, and almost the entire civilian population has probably been evacuated to clear the way for defence. Duren is almost the same size as Cnen ? and just as welli suited to become a major obstacle to the advance of the Allins,

Julich is smaller, having originally between 11,GOO and 12,000 inhabitants, Heinsberg is about half the size of Julich. All three- towns are strategically place! for the defence of the Rhineland along the Valley of the River Roer, which itself makes a defensive line. Bomber Command’s aim was to overwhelm the defenders together with the buildings they were ready to hold, and to block with rubble strategic roads at their junctions in these towns.

All crews were told at briefing of the importance of the operation, to take all possible care to identify their targets, and. bomb them accurately in spite of any difficulty caused by the dust and smoke of the artillery bombardment. The crews of all marking aircraft wore to identify their targets visually, coming below cloud and very low to do so.- The first bombs were to fall on al" three haugots at the same time, just before 3*30, and the attack w-.s to c< —o.j. dinnte with the operations of U.S.A.A.F* bombers giving close support to the First American Army, as Well as with, the movements of the Army .itself. Master bombers controlled every stage of the attack. It was their task to identify the targets visually. They were told to correct at once any tendency for the attack to become scattered, going down very low if necessary,, /Th?.s

2

This was especially necessary in weather as difficult as that over Western Germany. There was ten-tenths cloud on the route and, though the sky was cloudless over the targets themselves, much haze made it difficult to pick out ground details The master bombers reported that the bombing was highly concentrated at Duren, Julich and Heinsberg, and that enormous volumes of smoke rolled up. "There were several big explosions at Julich, and it looked as if petrol dumps and stores of ammunition had been hit", said one Halifax pilot. "I could see bombs bursting all over the target and thick black smoke rose to a great height from the fires."

"When I was over Julich," said F/O T.D. Hurray, of South Kensington, London, ”there were between 1%) and 200 bombers’ in the target area and most of them were bombing at the same time as I was. It looked like a. very good attack.” Crews who attacked Duren said, that the flak was intense as they flew in to drop their bombs. But they pressed home their attack and soon the whole eastern half of the town "was covered by smoke. A flying officer who took part in the attack on Duren, said that the great force of bombers seemed to fill the sky. "I saw no fighters. The sight of our escort of Spitfires and Kus tangs was very reassuring." None of the three towns has been the target for a major attack by the R. A.?. before, though one first priority factory in Duren has been attacked as an individual target by Allied aircraft.

17/11/44 - No. 31

The Northern Ireland Governors Fund for War Organisations has reached £182,011. The total contributed by the Northern Ireland Red Cross Agricultural Fund is £llO,OOO double last year*s amount* The total figure sent from the Governors Fund to the Red Cross and St. Johns War Organisation in London amounts to £139,300.

NORTHERN IRELAND GOVT.

NOT TO BE PUBLISHED OR BROADCAST BEFORE 12 MIDNIGHT. 17/11/44. No. 32

THE FOLLOWING MESSAGES HAVE BEEN EXCHANGED BETWEEN THE

KING AND PRINCE CHARLES OP BELGIUM

A Sa Majeste GEORGE VI, Roi de Grande-Bretague, d’lrlande, et des Territoires britanniques aur dela dos Hers, Empercur des Indes, LONDRES, Au moment de la liberation complete du tcrritoirc national par les vaillantcs armecs allic.es, je tiens a exprimer a Votrc Majeste la gratitude sincere et la grande admiration que je ressens, ainsi quo tout la peuple beige, pour la part brillanto et decisive prise par les heroiques forces britanniques a la dolivrance du pays. La Belgique entierc cst de coeur avec 1c peuple du Royaume-Uni et desire s’associer a. I'immense effort" qu'il accomplit vers la victoire finale. Je saisis cctte occasion pour renouvclcr a Votre Majeste I'expression de mes sentiments de prof onde et fidele -amitie. CHARLES

An unofficial translation of Prince Charles's message follows: At the mmwt of the complete liberation of our national territory by the valiant Allied Armies, I wish to express to Your Majesty the sincere gratitude and the great admiration which I, in common with the whole Bcfcian people, fool for the brilliant & r and decisive part taken by the heroic British forces in the deliverance of the country The whole of Belgium is of one mind with the people of the United Kingdom, and desires to associate itself with the immense effort that it is making towards final victory. I take tliis occasion to renew to Your Majesty the expression of my feelings of profound and faithful friendship.

His Royal Highness Prince Charles, Regent of Belgium. I thank Your Royal Highness for the message you sent to me on the occasion of the final and complete expulsion of the enemy from the national soil of Belgium. I and my people are proud of the part which my armed forces have been able to play in the liberation of your country. The warm welcome and hospitality so generously accorded to all British ranks by the Belgian people is a sign of the friendship between our two peoples, and a happy augury for complete co-operation and understanding in the era of peace and reconstruction that now lies ahead. GEORGE R.I.

FOREIGN OFFICE MS DEPARTIENT. 17.11.44 - No. 33

The Ministry of National Insurance Bill having now received the Royal Assent, The King has been pleased to approve that the Rt. Hon* Sin William Jovdtt, K.C., M.P., be appointed Minister of National Insurance.

10, WTINING- STREET 17/11/44 - No. 34

S.E.A.C, CO AUNIQUB NO. j!9

17th November, 1944

LAND: NORTHERN BURMA:- Chinese troops of the 36th Division east of Bhamo yesterday advanced south west to the Irrawaddy River completely cutting off the Japanese last route to the south. Other units of the 36th Division which cut the Bhamo-Namhkam road farther south advanced two miles westwards, Chinese units which two days ago out the other main road south-south-west from Bhamo extended patrols in three directions, British troops of the jSth Division made minor gains in the Pinwe area, north of Mabe junction.

CHIMP JIN PROMT Troops of the sth Indian,Division have pushed on eastwards of Kalemyc to Taungu on the west bank of the Myttha River, East African Forces are engaging a pocket of enemy resistance six miles north-east cf Kalemyo. • ARAKAN Our patrols with artillery support engaged enemy patrols south of Maungdaw and round Buthidaung, Harassing action is maintained by West Africans against the Japanese holding Paletwa. AIR: Aircraft of ■■■ Air Command yesterday bombed enemy positions in Arakan, and hit gun positions, bunkers and riverside targets in the Chindwin region, Waterfront installations in the Port of Mergui, Southern Burma, were attacked the previous day.

17.11.44 - No. 35

,Mr. G.S.McLay, whose services have for five years "been lent to the Ministry of Supply by Messrs. Stewarts & Lloyds Limited has been released at his own request from the post of Director General of Gun Ammunition Production. Mr. A.J.G. Smout, Director General, of Small Anns /ammunition has been appointed Director General of Ammunition Production and will be responsible for the production of both gun ammunition and small arms ammunition.

MINISTRY OF SUPPLY 17/11/44 - No. 36

BIOGRAPHIC,IL DETAILS CONCERNING

LT. GEN. RAYMOND A., WHEELER UNITED STATES W

(See Hanclout No* 5 of today) Born in Peoria, Illinois, in 1885* He received his B.Sc, degree and was graduated from U.S. Military Acadeny in 1911, Graduated from Engineering School in 1913« Then went to Command and General Staff School in 1927* Then Army War College 1937* Married Olive Keithley, June 29, 1912. Has one daughter Margaret Irene. Became 2/Lt. in 1911* Promoted through the grades to Maj. Gen. in March 1942. Served in these various places, Construction Engineer on Mississippi, the Ohio, the Kanawha and Monongahela and Aleghany rivers, and in the Panama Canal from 1911 to 1912. Then Corps of Engineers in Mexico in 1914* Hawaii in 1915-1917. Overseas 1917-1919. Then District Engineer Newport, Rhode Island, 1919-1920, and then in Wilmington, N. Carolina 1930-1933, Rock Island, Illinois 1933-1935» He was Instructor at Engineering Infantry School from 1920-1922. Was Assistant Engineering Commissioner in Washington, D.C.1922-1926, and Assistant Maintenance Engineer, Panama Canal 1927-1930. Then Regional Engineer for W.P.A. in Chicago, 1935-1936. Then U.S. Delegate to Permanent International Association of Navigation Congresses, Brussels, Belgium 1936. Resident member Board of Engineers for rivers and harbours Washington 1937-1940. Vice President Panama Railroad Co. 1940-1941 (Director since 1940). Engineer of Maintenance of Panama Canal 1940—1941. Chief of U.S. Military Mission to Iraq., Iran and India, 1941-1942. Commanding General, Service.-of Supply U.S. Army Forces in India, Burma and China since 1942. Then on Staff of Admiral. Lord Mountbatten since October 1942. Decorated D, S.M. and Silver Star with Oetk Leaves Clusters. Home at 2022, Columbia Road, Northwest, Washington, D.C. He served und«r Gon* George W. Gnethals, Builder'of the Panama Canal.

0.W.1. TOO’-S WHO-IN AMERICA, 19M-45

17/11/44 No. 38 MR ?CTISm MEIS SERVICE.

AIR MINISTRY BULLETINN N 0.16374

SQUADRON LEADER D. NORRIS “SMITH

Squadron Leader Dan Norris-Smith, of Melbourne, New South Wales, who joined the RUs.A.F. in 1940 and came to England a year later to join a sqaudron of R.A.F. night-fighting Defiants, now flies as Observer to a Wing-Commander who commands a night sqaudron in the R*J\.F. Fighter Command# Squadron Leader Norris-Smith’s pilot is Wing-Commander George Howden, D.F#C. another Australian - whose home is at G-uildford, Western .Australia. The two met when the Wing-Commander took over command of an all-Australian squadron last year, and they have flown together ever since. Squadron Leader Norris-Smith was posted for Staff Duties at the Headquarters of R*A*F. Fighter Command when he had finished his second tour of operations earlier this year, and assisted in the planning of tactics used by night-fighters and intruders supporting the invasion operations# He has only recently returned to operations, and is one of the few Squadron i Leaders to fly with the R.A.F. as an Observer*

17.11.44 - No. 39 Air Ministry News Service

Air Ministry Bulletin No. 16386

TEN HOURS 25 MINUTES TO CAIRO

A direct non-stop flight from London to Cairo in ten hours 25 minutes, has just been completed by a four-engined York aircraft of R.A.F. Transport Command. This is an average speed of 258 m.p»h. for the 2,1|j80 miles journey. Taking off from an airfield near London at 12.10 p.m. ,• 8.5. T./ on Wednesday, the York landed at Cairo at 10.55 p«m#, B-.5.T., with a crew of six. It is the first time that a York has made the trip non-stop, and probably the fastest journey between the two capitals made by any fourengined aircraft. The Avro York, which is an adaption of the famous Lancaster heavy bomber, was flown by s/Ldr.W.L.Watson, D.F.C., of Newcastle-on-Tyne with F/Lt. E. Wright, D.F.C., of Coventry as Second Pilot. The other members of the crew were F/o. C.R.D.Tucker of Brisbane, Australia, Navigator; F/O.V. J. Hampt on, of Trowbridge, Wireless Operator; F/0. C. Beveridge, Flight Engineer, and the Steward, Aircraftman A. MacMilland.

17/11/44. No. 41. DRAMA OF WIRE FORCES 1 -JUNGLE MEETING

The scene of the dramatic linking up of troops of the 11th East African Division' and the sth Indian Division who are pursuing the defeated Japanese forces on the Chindwin sector of the Burma front was a tree-fringed cross-roads in a picturesque setting of paddy fields and pagodas near Kalemyo. -For several days men of the Rajputs had been fighting their way down the jungle-covered mountain side in a wide hooking movement to emerge on the road where the Japanese had established their last outposts before Kalemyo*

Here 'were "The Stockades", old fortifications which were grimly contested by the Japanese in an effort to cover their disorderly retreat* At the cross roads Rajput soldiers, herpes of the battle of Kphima, met the tough 'Askaris of the East African Division* The latter had made a speedy advance along the notoriously unhealthy Kabaw Volley, while the Indian troops swarmed over the wild mountain barrier to emerge once again onto flat ground*

With the Rajputs were British soldiers of two famous county regiments* The British troops occupied one of the defended stockades which served as a staging point’ of the Fort White road* The meeting of the troops was the climax of a brilliantly planned and executed operation over harsh and exacting terrain, and leaves the Japanese with limited lines of escape* Now the only place of importance left to the west of the Chindwin in this sector is Kalewa, where hundreds of refugees were trapped in the retreat from Burma in 1942*.

S.B.A.C. 17/11/44 - No. 42

■Air Ministry News Service Air Ministry No. 16387

LEIGH-NJJLONY 2. JSSING- The aircraft in which .Zir Chief .Marshal Sir Trafford. Leigh-Mallory and. Lady Leigh-Mallory were travelling •to South-East -Asia, and which left this country on the 14th November, did. not arrive at its destination. The Air Chief Marshal was on his way to take up his new appointment as iir Coraander-in-Chief, South East Asia Command. further details will be announced when these are known.

17.11.44 - No. 43

TERRIFIC ARTILLERY DUELS ON NINTH ARMY

From Noel Monks for Combined Press With Ninth U.S* Army In Germany, Friday

At first light to-day the Germans reacted swiftly and strongly to our spectacular spearhead drive and fierce tank battles and artillery duels have been going on all along our front. The Americans are holding determinedly to all ground won in yesterday’s assault, and when I left our most forward tank command post late this afternoon our tanks and tank destroyers had beaten off three panzer attacks in which the Germans used their Latest tank - Tiger Royal which mounts devastating eighty gun. There have been tank losses on both sides as the result of today’s battles. Our tanks and infantry are fighting to-day without air support as the weather after yesterday’s clear patch has reverted to its old form. It has been misty and raining all day, and ice cold. It was a comparatively quiet night, and our tank commanders were all ready to push on at dawn when German tanks were reported coming towards us from three directions. An excited voice came over the radio to our control centre, "More than twenty enemy tanks have appeared in front of us. They are shooting at us. They are shooting at us. Now we are shooting at them”.

It was the first time our armour had encountered enemy tank resistance since the Americans fought it out with the aid of tank destroyers and gave not an inch of ground. North of Immendorf - one of the. small towns captured during the first hours of yesterday’s push - another force of our Shermans encountered six German Panther tanks and knocked out three of them in the first five minutes of the slogging match that followed, The remaining three German tanks turned and made off. at top speed in the direction of Geilenkirchen. Only one of the American tanks was hit. German tank crew's captured in this engagement told me when I spoke to - .them through an interpreter that they had just come down from Nijmegen, where they had fought against British airborne troops. The Germans have reacted to our drive as one reacts to a live-nerve when you bite on it, and they are~making desperot^^eff<xrt^^t-o-*day-f-o-drive us back - so far without success.

/Some- of the 2

Some of the ground gained "by our tanks in their initial assault yesterday is •of a commanding nature,’ and actually we expected we would have to fight hard to reach it. Now the Germans are fighting hard to throw us off it. Shells re falling every where up forward today, the Germans adding to the damage cur shells had.done to "■ LoVerich ■ and Immendorf. These hamlets are just names from now, on. Only the cellars in the shattered ' i uses and shops are left.

Nearly all the German civilians had been evacuated from them, but a few were during dazedly around among the ruins when I visited them today. Twenty-four hours and now German shells were coming down with the rain. ago 'ur shells had been falling among them, / From these two towns alone more than ought hundred prisoners were taken yesterday. The total prisoners; captured on our front today number eighteen hundred. Among the prisoners were -two complete companies of an anti-tank regiment. They were annoyed, they said, because they had been expected to .light our tanks with their bare hands. Their equipment was not due till,'next week.

The feature of today’s operations was the terrific artillery duels that went on from soon after dawn until late in the day. In our case we were making oup shells 'k that bombs would have done had the weather permitted air operations. n The Germans were in most cases shooting blindly, but American gunners were being put on their targets - tank and troop concentrations - by ever-faithful piper cub spotting planes.

fven they were invisible from two hundred feet at times. The Germans were sending in shells from long-range railway batteries, a dozen miles or so behind the front, but they were firing by maps and only hit German property. Although today’s enemy counter-attacks were in strength, upwards of fifty tanks being thrown in, they were solely armoured thrusts at our positions and were not supported by infrntry wnioh would ho the case in the event of a major counter-attack. In some sections our infantry units made gains on yesterday*s advance under appalling' conditions. Today’s rain softened up mud that hardened with yesterday’s dry, frosty weather and rain-soaked doughboys plodded on through a morass, at times shin deep in it. One lanky, infantry roan from Carolina remarked, ”my paw was always talking to me about trench mud in the last war. Why he ain’t never seen mud till he’s seen German mud.”

JIHISTHE OF IIjFORkfATTON