AIR MINISTRY BULLETIN 756. 25/5/40 - No. 1. BOMBS ON YORKSHIRE AND -EAST ANGLIA The Air Ministry and Ministry of Home Security announce:- Enemy aircraft last night dropped bombs in the North Riding of Yorkshire, Eight civilians were injured, three of whom have been admitted to hospital. Some damage was done. Bombs also fell in rural areas in East Anglia. No casualties were caused. Slight damage to two cottages is reported. Anti-aircraft defences were in action. AIR MINISTRY. 25/5/40. - No. 2. PRESS NOTICE. Since long before the war broke out many Government Departments have been under intense pressure and working long hours„ This additional work has naturally fallen more heavily on some Departments than on others. In view of the present grave emergency,and with the desire to bend all energies to the war effort, His Majesty’s Civil Service, through the Staff side of the National Whitley Council, have voluntarily offered to work whatever additional hours may he necessary and to waive normal conditions of employment. The Government have expressed their appreciation of this approach and are arranging immediately to take full advantage of it. TREASURY, S.W.1. 25/5/40 - No.3. GERMAN CLAIM REFUTED. The Ministry of Information states that the German claim that eight ships and two mineswcepers have been lost off the coast of South Africa from the effects of German mines is entirely false. No news of the loss from enemy mines in this area of a single vessel of any kind has reached London. MINISTRY OF INFORMATION. 1 NOT TO BE PUBLISHED BEFORE THE HORNING NEWSPAPERS OF 29th MAY, 1940, OR BROADCAST BEFORE 7 A.M. ON THAT DATE WAR OFFICE CASUALTY LIST NO. 6 The Amy Council regret to announce the following casualties. The next-of-kin have already been notified. OFFICERS KILLED THE KING’S OWN YORKSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY HIGGINS, 2nd Lt. E.J.C. 71186 WOUNDED THE BEDFORDSHIRE AND HERTFORDSHIRE REGIMENT CAREY, Maj. H.E. - 10529 MISSING ROYAL REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY HACON, 2nd Lt. C.H.P. 87765 THE GREEN HOWARDS (ALEXANDRA. PRINCESS OF WALES' S, OWN YORKSHIRE REGIMENT) RAWS ON, Lieut. J.H. 67484 THE WORCESTERSHIRE REGIMENT ABBOTT, Maj. J.J. 17828 PRISONER OF WAR THE KING' S 04: YORKSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY GOWANS, Capt. R.L.N. 44687 WARRANT OFFICERS, N.C.Os. AND MEN KILLED CORPS OF ROYAL ENGINEERS COLDRICK, Sjt. F.. ROYAL CORPS OF SIGNALS BROOK, Sigmn. A.J. 2 KILLED (Contd.) THE YORK AND LANCASTER REGIMEMT BRUCE, Pte. W. MOORE, Pte. A. SHEPHERD, L/Cpl. S. DIED OF WOUNDS THE SOUTH WALES BORDERERS SPARKS, L/Cpl. L. J. ROYAL ARMY SERVICE CORPS HAYDON, Dvr. A.W. WOUNDED ROYAL REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY BAILIE Gnr 0 J. G. , SCOTS GUARDS AUCOTT , Gdsmrio S. THE LINCOLNSHIRE REGIMENT COLLINSON, L/Cpl. J, THE SOUTH WALES BORDERERS HULL, Pte. W. J. LEWIS, Sjt. B. T. THE SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTINGHAMSHIRE AND DERBYSHIRE REGIMENT) GRAVES, Sjt. M. ! THE KING S OWN YORKSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY BIGGS, Pte. J. KEYWORTH, L/Cpl. H. WHEATLEY, Pte c L. THE YORK AND LANCASTER REGIMENT BROWN, Pte. T. HADDON, Pte, D. MISSING THE LINCOLNSHIRE REGIMENT BALAAM, Pte. R. S. CARTER, Pte. R. GREEN, L/Cpl. E. RACHAEL, Pte. A. 2. YEELES, Pte. W. 3 MISSING (Contd.) THE LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT ANKERS, PtG. J. ASTLEY, PtG. H. BALLINGER, Pte, A.W. 3SALMAN, PtCo H. BEET, PtGo W.L. BROWN, PtG. C. G. CHAMBERLAIN, PtG, E. COLLEY, PtG. T. DEACON, Cpl, J.W. DURRANCE, PtG. J. FORDSR, P to. J.R. FREESTONE, Pte, V. HACK, PtG. G. HAYWOOD, Pte, L.R. JOHNSON, Pte. L. LITCHFIELD, Pte. L.C. MILES, Pte. D. H.E. NETTLE, Pte, NORMAN, Pto, E. OLIVER, Pte, H. OTTER, Pte. L.W. PALMER, Sjt. ii. R. POTTER, Pte. A. RANDALL, L/Cpl, G. H. ROBERTS, Pte. R. W. SHARPE, Pte. E. SMITH, Pte. F. E. STEVENS, Dmr. H. TAYLOR, PtG. B. TOMLINSON, PtG. T.H. WAIT, Pte, A.G. WAREING, Pte. P. WATTS, Pte, G. WHEATLEY, Pte, C. WILFORD, Pte, D. W. WINTER, Pte. C.W.H. THE GREEN HOWARDS (ALEXANDRA, PRINCESS OF WALES’S. OWN YORKSHIRE REGIMENT) ANDERSON, Pte. R. S. BOLAND Pte. 0. , BURNETT, L/ Cpl. W. J. COLLINS, Pte. C. DAVIS, Pte. A. FEENEY, Pte, K.F. HALL, L/Cpl. T. HINES, Pte, M. HOUGH, Pte. N. LAKE, Pte. B. LOWES, Pte. D. MARTIN, Pte. W. PEEL, Pte. W. PERRYMSNT, Pte. P. RICHARDSON, L/Cpl, I'T. ROWS, Pte. J. L. J.E. SMITH, L/Cpl. THOMPSON, Pte, w. VAUGHAN, Pte. J. 4 MISSING (Contd.) THE SOUTH WALES BORDERERS ' MERRICK, C. Q. M. S. H. T. THE SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTINGHAMSHIRE AND DERBYSHIRE REGIMENT) ALLEN, Cpl, D. BACON, PtCo Go B. 7RLOW, Pte, W. BEADLE Pte. Lo 9 BURKITT, Pte. CoH. CHESHIRE, PtO. Mo CO'TDRAY, PtGo L. CUMMINGS, L/Cpl. Ho DAVIES, Pte. Co DAVIES, Pte. R. DERBYSHIRE, Pte o F. DRURY, A/Cpl. J. DRY3DALE, Cpl. E. EMERY, Pte. Ho G. EVANS, x? te e W. EVANS, Pte. T» FISHER, Pte. J.Be FORD, L/Cpl o W.H. GILBERT, L/Cpl. Jo GLENDON, Pte. E. T. GUTTERIDGE, Pte. Huß. LANCESTER, Sjt. iii o L/Cplo ' TTt MARSHALL, J. J-J« OAKLEY, p'CO • Jo PEATPIELD, L/Cpl. F, A. PRINCE, Pte. Lo RAWSON, PtOc E.N. REDPORD, C. S.M. Wo RELP, Pte. J. RYAN, Pte. Ho SHACKLOCK, A/Cpl. Ho Pte. L SHARPE, c STOCKDALE, L/Sjt. L. SUTTON, Pte. Jo T e Pte, D. THOMAS, TOWLE, Pte, • B. TYERS, pte. ii.fr Pte. C 0. WALKER,- s WESTBY, Pte. J. WILLIAMS Pte. W. , Pte. A. WOOLPE, Pte. H. Co YOUD, THE KING’S OWN YORKSHIRE LIGHT 111 Pi IT TRY Cpl. J. AHERNE, Ptc. M. ALLAN, BELL Cpl. E. ? Pte. P. BOOTH, BOOTH Pte, ?. 5 BROOKES, PtOc i i-3 Ptc. N. BUTLER, CANDLER Pte, F. , Pte, J. cox, CRUMMACK, Pte, A. r *rn DAVIES, Pte. iXfr il/« Pte. L. Go PENTEM, 5 MISSING (Conti.) THE KING’S OWN YORKSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY (Conti. ) GARDNER, Pte. H. GASCOIGNE, L/Cpl* C. GRIFFITHS, Ptc. D. HAMPSHIRE, Ptc. C. HANCOCK, Pte. . i • HARPER, Pte. HARRISON, Ptc. F. HARTLEY, Ptc. 3* KELLY, Pte. J. LEGAT, Ptc. H. LICENCE, Pte. H. McCartney, Pte. R. McMENEMY, Pte. P* MITCHELL, Pte. P. MOORBY, Pte. H. MOORE, Pte. R. MORGAN, Ptc. I* MULLINS, Pte. D. T'.r MURTAGH, Pte. l rf • NICHOLLS, Cpl. J. NORTH, Pte. L. ORMONDE, Pte. J. PARKIN, Pte. C. POWELL, Cpl. J« REDFEARIT, Pte. a. ROBINSON, Pte. E. SIMPSON, Pte, J. TIDEY, Pte. V. WARD, Ptc. A. THE KING’S SHROPSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY ACTOIT, ‘ Pte. G.H. THE YORK AMD LANCASTER REGIME T ALLEN, Ptc. F.E. ASDALE , ?te. L. BEECHEY, Ptc. C. BILTON, Cpl. C. CARTER, S/S jt, J R. . COATES, Pte. A# DOBBS, Cpl. A. FEELEY, Pte. A. GRAY, Ptc. S. HARTLEY, Pte. D. HOBBS, p te, P. LOGAN, Pte* F.L. O’LEARY, Cpl. A. E« SCAMADINE, C. S. M. T. YOUNG, Pte. C. MISSING BELIEVED KILLED * THE GREEN HOWARDS (ALEXANDRA. PRINCESS OF WALES S OWN YORKSHIRE - * ' REGIMENT) LONG, Pte. J. 6 DIED ROYAL ARMOURED CORPS JOHNSON, L/Cpl. 8. ROYAL REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY BIRD, Gnr. A* BURLINSON, Gnr. J.W. LANE, Gnr. E.M, CORPS OF ROYAL ENGINEERS HARGREAVES, Spr. V.J, COLDSTREAM GUARDS GILLIYER, Gdsmn* J, E. f TIIE QN EEN 3 ROYAL REGIMENT (WEST SURREY) INSLEY, Pte, A. THE WEST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT (THE PRINCE OF WALES*3 PAN ) HARDY, Pte. H. THE WELCH REG-IMENT ROLES, Pte. C. E. THE YORK AND LANCASTER REGIMENT PRESCOTT, Pte. A. THE GORDON HIGHLANDERS RICE, Pte, V7. \ \ THE ROY.r'iL ULSTER RIFLES MATHERS, Rfn. E. ROYAL ARMY SERVICE CORPS THURLES, Dvr. J.A.B, ROYi,L ARMY ORDNANCE CORPS THOMAS, Cpl. W.S. CORPS OP MILITARY POLICE DAVIES , L/Cpl. . J.D. 25/5/40 - NO: 7. MORE RESTRICTIONS ON MANUFACTURE AND USE OF PAPER. Far reaching restrictions on the manufacture and use of paper are imposed by Order issued under the Defence Regulations an by the Minister of Supply. The Order comes into force on Monday, May 27th. Among other things the Order prohibits the issue of new periodicals and of certain types of posters and circulars, including newspaper contents bills. It restricts the size of other posters, and their exhibition. The use of wrapping and packing material will be restricted, Shopperf will find that retailers will be under an obligation to refuse to wrap goods which do not require wrapping for their protection. The manufacture of certain classes of paper goods (handkerchiefs, serviettes, table-cloths, cups, saucers and plates» book wrappers, festoons, confetti) is prohibited altogether. These prohibitions and restrictions do not apply to productions for export. The Minister of Supply may in special circumstances, the Order states, "authorise the doing of any act which would otherwise he prohibited by the Order," Copies of the Order may be obtained on Monday from H.M.Stationery Office or from any bookseller. MINISTRY OF SUPPLY, Press Office, A del-phi. W.Q.2. Air Ministry Bulletin No e 757. 25/5/40. - No. 8. R.A.F. AND F.A.A. HARASS ENEMY CONCENTRATIONS. The Air Ministry announces: Yesterday a number of shore-based aircraft of the Fleet Air Armco-operated with medium bombers of the Royal Air Force in a series of harassing attacks on enemy concentrations near the Channel coast. In the course of one attack by naval aircraft on enemy armoured vehicles at least three enemy tanks were set on fire and others put out of action. Enemy oil depots at Rotterdam were again attacked this morning by aircraft of the R.A.F, Coastal Command, and an enemy motor torpedo boat was bombed and sunk off the Dutch coast. Heavy bombers of the Royal Air Force were again active throughout the night. 25.5.40/No.9. P.N.1653 PRESS NOTICE For publication NOT before Sunday, 26th May BOOKS AND MAGAZINES FOR SAILORS, SOLDIERS AND AIRMEN: FREE COLLECTION BI THE POST OFFICE The Postmaster General announces that on and after Monday the 27th May, 1940 and until further notice, books and magazines may be handed in at most Post Offices in England, Wales and Scotland for the use of sailors, soldiers and airmen. But at the small Post Offices where all collections are made by postmen on foot or on cycle, a notice will be exhibited informing the public of the nearest office which will accept them. The scheme will not apply to Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man. The Post Office will books without charge to a convey the central depot which the direction of the Admiralty, is under the War Office and the Air Ministry whence distribution of the books to the various units of the Navy, Army and Air Force at home and overseas will be effected. Donors will use their own judgment as to the kinds of books and magazines that will be acceptable, but the experience gained in the last war in connection with a similar scheme conclusively proved that novels and weekly or monthly illustrated magazines are most appreciated by the fighting services. A small number of educational textbooks, including foreign language teaching manuals, will be of value. Newspapers, whether published daily, weekly or on Sundays only, cannot be accepted. Books and magazines intended for the free collection must be clean and in good condition and should not have any address, wrapping or packing. They must not be posted in letter boxes, but handed m over the counter at one of the many Post Offices nominated for the purpose. No acknowledgment can be sent to donors, but they may rest assured that their gifts will be warmly appreciated by the men. Any book or magazine addressed, to an individual or to a particular unit, or hospital, or ship must be sent by post and fully prepaid in the ordinary way. GENERAL POST OFFICE 25th May, 1940. Air Ministry Bulletin No. 758 25/5/40. - No. 10. R.A.F. AVERAGE 40 NAZIS DOWN DAILY. Royal Air Force fighter pilots are putting out of action more than 40 German raiders a day. Yesterday Spitfires, Hurricanes and Defiants destroyed or seriously damaged another 40 German bombers and fighters over the French and Belgian battle-fronts, with only a quarter of that number of casualties to themselves. This brings their total of victories for the past three days to more than 120. Thirty-one of yesterday’s 40 were seen to break in the air, burst into flames, or crash on landing. The other nine were put out of action* One squadron of Spitfires accounted for 18 enemy aircraft. This was the squadron which, as already announced, sent up 11 fighters and shot down 11 Germans in one engagement. Another Spitfire squadron accounted for 13 enemy aircraft. Enemy aircraft of seven different types were destroyed. Our fighters fought successfully against Heinkel 111 ’s, Dornier 17's, Junkerw 87 and Junkers 88 bombers, Messerschmitt 109 and 110 fighters, the army co-operation Henschel 126 and even a Condor. The day’s fighting began and ended with the destruction of a Henschel 126. The first Henschel, attacked by Spitfires early in the morning, was seen to break up in the air and burst into flames south-east of Calais. The last, trying to escape, hedge- hopped over fields before it crashed in flames near the same place. When a Hurricane squadron attacked a formation of 30 Heinkel and Dornier bombers between Calais and Dunkirk their protecting Messerschmitt 110’s held off from the fight. The Hurricanes first shot down five, and probably seven, of the bombers at 11,000 feet. Then they climbed to 22,000 feet and put three of the Messerschmitts out of action. Eleven Spitfire pilots who shot down 11 enemy aircraft were also attacking bombers protected by Messerschmitts. In addition to the eleven they seriously damaged three others. Two hours later, after a rest at their base, they were again in action, this time shooting down four Messerschmitt 109*8. Another Spitfire squadron spread their successes over the day. They shot down a Ilenschel near Calais at "breakfast time? a Condor near Ostend "before lunch, a Dornier 17 and a Junkers 88 a little later, another Dornier 17 and two more Junkers 88 at teatime, and two Messersohmitts before dinner. 25/5/40 - No. 12. WAR OFFICE ANNOUNCEMENT The War Office makes the following announcement At the present time relatives are naturally anxious regarding personnel serving with the British Expeditionary Force. It is pointed out that in many cases soldiers cannot just now communicate with their relatives with the same regularity as in the past, and the fact that letters are not being received does not mean that they have become casualties. Immediately official information is received in this country that an officer or man has become a casualty, the next of kin is notified, and in the absence of such a notification it may be assumed that the War Office has no information to communicate. It can also be assumed that the British Red Cross Society is not in possession of any information. THE WAR OFFICE, S. W. 1. 25/5/40 - No.13. LOCAL DEFENCE VOLUNTEERS. The War Office has been inundated with letters and suggestions regarding the best method of organizing this Force. Most of the suggestions are extremely good, but the majority of them are based upon the assumption that the task of repelling invasion from the air is to be laid entirely upon the shoulders of the L.D.V. In point of fact this duty rests upon our Regular Home Forces. There are many thousands of these troops in the country, and they are all fully organized for this purpose. Obviously, it is impossible to advertise the details of a defence scheme, but it must not be concluded, because those details are not advertised, that no such scheme exists. The duties of the L.D.V. are merely ancillary to those of the Regular Home Forces and well suited to their are capabilities. Another criticism is that the scheme is not being pushed forward vigorously enough. Obviously, a little time must be. allowed to organize a force already approaching 400,000 men. Progress, however, in most districts is highly satisfactory, and it is hoped to issue a progress report very soon. A third criticism is that the arrangements for the organization of the L.D.V. are too haphazard and informal. The L.D.V. is purposely being raised upon as elastic a basis as possible. Its members serve only in their spare time and live in their homes, and this in itself obviously precludes them from being fitted into any rigid scheme. Accordingly, each unit is. being raised in a. manner best suited to its local requirements. In certain districts firms are organizing their own units* in many country villages the inhabitants have spontaneously turned for leadership to some prominent resident or retired military officer. Other districts are forming units composed of game-keepers and beaters: cricket clubs, bowling clubs, etc., are getting together. All these units will be fitted into the general scheme under the direction of the various Area Commanders, assisted by Volunteer Area Organizers. WAR OFFICE . (Not to be Quoted as Source) 25/5/40 - No.15 REGISTERATION UNDER THE NATIONAL SERVICE (ARMED FORCES) ACT 1939. The Ministry of Labour and National Service announces: The privisional figures of those who registered today, Saturday, May 25th 1940, at the Local Offices of the Ministry of Labour and National Service were:- England. 276,632 Scotland 32,896 Wales.... 16,731 T0ta1...... 326,259 Of these the numbers provisionally registered as conscientious objectors were:- England 2,849 Scotland. ............. 351 Wales . • 239 representing —— Total 3,439 1.05 per cent —— of the total registered. The men required to register were those who (a) reached the age of 20 between 28th April, 1940, and 25th May, 1940 (both dates inclusive); and (b) men who reached the age of 27 during 1939 (i.e. the 1912 class) The figures do not include (a) those who because of the distance of their homes from the Local Office, will be registering by post; (b) seamen and fishermen who may have registered at Mercantile Marine Offices, and (c) persons unavoidably prevented from registering owing, for example, to sickness or being at sea. The total of 326,259 is the largest number so far registered in one day. There has once again been a decrease in the proportion registering as conscientious objectors, today’s figure being the lowest percentage recorded since compulsory recruitment began , Reports from all divisions of the Ministry indicate that there was a whole-hearted throughout the country, and response registration was effected with the usual smoothness. MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND NATIONAL SERVICE MINISTRY OF LABOUR & NATIONAL SERVICE-Press Notice 16/25.5.40. APPEAL FOR WORKERS FOR URGENT WAR WORK. The Ministry of Labour and National Service announces that a few days ago an appeal was issued to mechanics, etc. to garage volunteer for work in aircraft factories, and the response to this appeal has been magnificent. While the demands for skilled workers for the production of aircraft and munitions of all kinds will grow from day to day, it is inadvisable that transfers of such workers from other industries or services should take place in a manner which might be prejudicial to the conduct of those industries or services which are of vital importance to the maintenance of the civil population and the general conduct of the war. The Minister of Labour and National Service accordingly desires that in future any worker, and in particular any skilled worker, who wishes to volunteer for urgent war work should notify his nearest Employment Exchange of the fact and should continue with the work that he is doing until he receives further instructions from the Employment Exchange. Press Office, Ministry of Labour and National Service, Whitehal1, S.W.1. Telephone: Whitehall 6200. H.Q.620-500 E.J. (5562—1429) Wt. 8504—7084 5,000 4/40 T.S. 677 (5735—1429) Wt. 13591—7109 10,000 5/40 T.S. 677 25/5/40 - No 17 PRESS NOTICE Mr. Ernest Bevin, Minister of Labour and National Service, at a meeting of executives of Trade Unions of the country this morning, read the following letter addressed to him by the Prime Minister "No 10 Downing Street, Whitehall, S.W.1. 24th May, 1940. My dear Mr. Bevin, I shall he glad if you will give to the conference of Trade Union Executives an assurance of my deep and active interest in the purpose of their assembly, and let them know how much I should have welcomed under conditions of less urgency and pressure of manifold dangers, an opportunity to speak to them personally. The conference, I am sure, will appreciate the nature of the responsibility which falls upon you as a Minister of State in this severe crisis of our fortunes in explaining to the Unions the necessity which has caused Parliament to enact the new Emergency Legislation and how the Government plans to use its exceptional 1 powers for the prompt and complete organisation of the country s industrial resources to help us to meet the imminent perils that face us. l The country s needs are imperative, inescapable, and imperious, and we shall pay dearly if we fail to meet them. We can meet them now as a Government founded upon a new unity of national the purpose, and with the creative energies of a people awakened to magnitude of the task. We have the fullest confidence in the readiness of the organised workers to accept the obligations arising out of the demands which the State is compelled to make upon their endurance and their capacity for sacrifice. We look with equal confidence to the Trade Union Executives called into conference by their General Council to assist the State by using their widespread organisation to serve the purposes you will unfold at the Conference. The gravity of the situation deepens hour by hour, and we are all called to make a supreme effort to defend the country, to upon preserve our liberties, and to win the war. Trade Unionists with their tradition of sacrifice in the service of freedom cannot hesitate to throw their full strength into the struggle. Yours sincerely, WINSTON S.CHURCHILL." MINISTRY ON LABOUR & NATIONAL SERVICE MINISTRY OF LABOUR & NATIONAL SERVICE Press Notice 18/25.5.40. REGULATION OF LABOUR SUPPLY. The Emergency Powers (Defence) Act, 1940, has vested in the Minister of Labour and National Service the control and use of all labour. The Regulations made under the Act give the Minister power to direct any person in the United Kingdom to perform such services as may be specified by directions issued by or on behalf of the Minister. They also give the Minister power to require persons of any class or description either generally or in any area to register such particulars about themselves as may be necessary, and the further power to enter and inspect premises and require employers to keep and produce such books, accounts and records as may be necessary. In order to give effect to the powers under the Act and to ensure the fullest of the man-power and woman-power in the country, the Minister of use Labour and National Service has established under his own chairmanship a Labour Supply Board on which will serve four Directors of Labour Supply specially appointed for this purpose. These are Major-General K.C. Appleyard, O.B.E., J.P. Mr.R. Coppook. Mr. J.G. Little. Mr. A.P. Young, O.B.E. The Minister intends that the new organisation which is being created to carry out the additional duties and responsibilities imposed on him should work in the closest possible co-operation with the Trades Unions and Employers' organisations, both nationally and locally. It is necessary that detailed questions of labour supply should be dealt with area by area, and the Minister of Labour and National Service has accordingly established a provincial organisation for the purpose. The main machinery will be the Employment Exchange service directed by the Divisional Controllers, who will be the Minister’s principal representatives in each area. These Controllers will in future be Chairmen of the Area Boards which were previously appointed by the Minister of Supply and have now been placed under the general, control of the Minister of Labour and National Service. In each important area a Local Labour Supply Committee is being established by the Minister of Labour and National Service. This will work in close conjunction with the Employment Exchange and will consist of a Chief Labour Supply Officer, the Exchange Manager and two other Labour Supply Officers specially appointed for the purpose. These will be drawn from persons who have practical working knowledge of industry and industrial conditions. Local Panels for particular industries will also be appointed for work in association with these Local Labour Supply Committees. The duty of inspecting firms with a view to ensuring that skilled labour is used to the best advantage and that all necessary training facilities are provided will be entrusted to officers to be known as "Inspectors of Labour who will work in close association with the Area Boards and the Supply", Labour Supply Committees. In carrying out his duties under the Emergency Powers (Defence) Act, 1940, the Minister -will operate through Officers to be known as "National Service Officers" who, together with the existing staff of the Employment Exchanges, will be empowered on the Minister’s behalf to require persons where necessary to undertake work of national importance. Press Office, Ministry of Labour and National Service, Whitehall, S.W.1. Telephone: Whitehall 6200. (5M7—1428) Wt. 47177—7024 ' 20,000 2/40 T.S. til AIR MINISTRY BULLETIN N0.759. 25/5/40 - No.19. HEROES OF THE AIR. R.A.F. Pilots Play Havoc with Nazi Planes. This is the story of two R.A.F. Fighter Squadrons who met the full force of the German air attack on the first day of the All-In War (May 10)• All that day enemy bombers, with strong fighter protection, attacked incessantly over the Allied front. Often the odds were five to one, even ten to one. It made no difference. These pilots welcomed everything that came. The actions they fought that day have seldom been equalled in air warfare. From the darkness before sunrise to darkness again, the Fighter pilots made one sortie after another, stopping on the ground only long enough to refuel and reload with ammunition. Some of them went up seven times: two were shot down in flames, baled out, and went up again as soon as they got back to the Squadron. Forty-nine enemy aircraft were shot down in the day-long fighting and were seen to crash. Probably another score, riddled with bullets, failed to get home. Seldom before have two Squadrons put up such a fine show. And in that day's fighting these squadrons did not lose one pilot, Their skill was only matched by their courage. That is the most outstanding fact in a day which will ever he remembered by the R.A.F. But even such a day was only a prelude. For a week, every one of these pilots fought at least five hours a day in the air, a record for air fighting unlikely to be surpassed. AIR AFFAIRS. 25/5/40 - No. 20. War Office not to be quoted. It is learnt, in London, this afternoon that the situation is very grave, but it should he remembered that the form of warfare employed by the Germans has its weaknesses as well as its strength. There is no reason for loss of confidence; a co-ordinated Allied effort can still retrieve the situation. MILITARY AFFAIRS 25/5/40. - No. 21. WAR OFFICE APPOINTMENTS. The Secretary of State for War has appointed Mr. G.D.Roseway to he his Principal Private Secretary? Mr. V.G.F. Bovenizer, Mr. S.L. Edwards and Mr. A.D. Harvey to he his Assistant Private Secretaries? and Colonel C.E. Ponsonhy, M.P., to he his Parliamentary Private Secretary (unpaid). Brigadier-General Sir Henry Page Croft, Under-Secretary of State, has appointed Mr. T.B. Williamson to he his Private Secretary. Sir Edward Grigg, Under-Secretary of State? has appointed Mr. J.R, Trevaldwyn to he his Private Secretary? and Captain Sir Derrick Gunston, Bt., M.C., M.P., to he his Parliamentary Private Secretary (unpaid). Mr. R.K. Law, Financial Secretary to the War Office, has appointed Mr. A.R. Wagner to he his Private Secretary. WAR OFFICE, WHITEHALL. 25/5/40 - No. 22. NOT FOR PUBLICATION UNTIL AFTER DELIVERY. As this script is issued in advance it should be checked with the actual broadcast this (Saturday. May 23) evening. "RUMOUR" Broadcast By Mr. Harold Nicolson, Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information, following the B.B.C. News Bulletin f at nine o clock tonight. You will agree, I think, that we are now suffering from a virulent form of the rumour epidemic. We had our first bout in September, and we are now having an even worse bout. There are those who say that rumours are as inevitable in war-time as spots with measles, and that they do not really do much harm. This is not the view of that ingenious man Adolf Hitler. With his gift for exploiting the weaker sides of human nature he has understood that by spreading false news you diminish public confidence in true news. And he well knows that if he can sow the seed of rumour in this country it will immediately be propagateu far and wide by perfectly innocent rumour-mongers, or as I prefer to call them, by the "chatter-bugs". Now if we are to render ourselves immune to this rumour epidemic we must examine it as calmly as we should examine a new form of influenza. We must define its causes, distinguish the different types of the illness, make ourselves able to recognise the main symptoms, and consider both prevention and cure. The causes are obvious* In war-time the ordinary citizen develops a raging thirst for information, and all the information he be given is small of barley water. Moreover, can a wine-glass in a war of this magnitude and drama we lose our accustomed standards of probability; at a time when anything might happen, everything is believed. It is this unhealthy condition which gives the chatter-bug his chance. There are several distinct types of chattel-hug. There is the naturally nervous person who just chatters Because he can't keep still* There is the club bore who discovers with delight that whereas his fellow members have long ceased listening to his stories of shooting expeditions in with Manitoba, they are agog interest when he tells them that his Brother-in-law at 3.40 p.m. on Tuesday last observed five (or it may have Been six) parachutists descend in the disguise of rural deans. There are the vain and silly people who gain a sense of self-importance By imparting sensational news. And there are quite sensible people, such as you and I, who in our weaker moments Become chatter-Bugs without meaning to Be chatter-bugs in the least. /Now 2 Now I suggest three symptoms by which you can recognize the confirmed, as distinct from the occasional, chatter-bug. First, his stories are never first-hand but always second-hand. Secondly, they are made to seem plausible by the addition of circumstantial detail, the place and hour of the incident always being named with great precision. And, thirdly, the confirmed chatter-bug loves his particular rumour with a sick passion and is enraged if you suggest to him that what he is saying may possibly not be true. Let me take the nun story as a good instance. The chatter-hug who has fallen in love with this particular rumour will not say merely that fifth columnists are being disguised as nuns. He will say that his brother-in-law (chatter-bugs always have innumerable brothers-in-law) was in the train from Derby the other afternoon when, at Kettering, a nun entered and started to read a religious book. The book dropped from her lap and as she stooped to retrieve it she disclosed a manly wrist complete with a tattooed inset of Adolf Hitler. There is also the whole cycle of Lord Haw Haw stories according to which His Lordship has had knowledge of minor events in this country three quarters of an hour after they have happened. The confirmed chatter-hug is furious if you tell him that every one of Lord Haw Haw’s references to places in England have been carefully checked and that there is no evidence at all that he receives his information more rapidly than could he done by perfectly normal means. He is just trying to make you feel that he is very clever and that you are very stupid; and to create an exaggerated alarm about fifth column activities. I can assure you that these activities are being very carefully watched. Well s what is to he done about it? The first thing is not to relax our vigilance hut to watch calmly and accurately. If you see something suspicious, do not rush about chattering, hut tell the police exactly and quietly what you saw. Do not tell anybody hut the police, since by so doing you may he causing unnecessary confusion, committing an act of personal cruelty, and playing Hitler’s game. The second thing is to make a vow that you will not he a chatter-hug yourself and will make fun of other chatter-hugs. You might even start anti- rumour clubs in your own circle. And the third thing to do is to treat both the news and the absence of news with sense and pluck. If you do that you will he helping your, own countrymen; if you fail to do that you will he helping Adolf Hitler. MINISTRY OF INFORMATION. 25/5/40 - No.23. The War Office announces that it has been decided to form additional companies for certain Home Defence Battalions for special duties in this country. The age limits for enlistment into these companies will be 18 to 19 1/2 years. Men must be in good physical health. They will be required to enlist for general service for the duration of the war, and it is intended to transfer them, when they reach the age of 20 years, to training units for service in the Field Army. Men who are engaged in occupations which are reserved at 23 years of age or lower wall not be accepted. It is emphasized that it is not desired to interfere in way with armament and munitions productions, any ship- building and undertakings producing supplies for the Armed Forces which are at the moment of urgent national importance, and young men engaged in these industries are advised to remain at their work. Service in these new companies of Home Defence Battalions is intended primarily for those young men who are not immediately liable for service under the National Service (Armed Forces) Act, and who feel that in their present occupations they are not making the fullest contribu- tion to the National Effort* Application for enlistment should he made as soon as possible at any Army Recruiting Office. WAR OFFICE, S.W.1. 25/5/40 - No. 24. FOR RELEASE AT 8 p.m., and NOT FOR BROADCAST SATURDAY, May 25th, BEFORE 7.a.m. SUNDAY. ATTEMPT to terrorise NORWEGIANS MLS. NAZI LEAFLETS IGNORED. SPLENDID BEHAVIOUR IN AIR-RAIDS. From "Eye-witness" with the North-Western Expeditionary Force, Somewhere in Norway, Saturday. In an attempt to terrorise the Norwegian Civilian population, the Germans are dropping tracts from the air, printed in Norwegian, giving a highly-coloured version of the fighting in Flanders, From personal observation of the effect of these leaflets on the I that the Germans people can state are wasting their time. The intensely patriotic civilian population is obeying the broadcast behest of King Haakon to ignore German propaganda, Under bombings from the air the civilians are behaving splendidly. When an air-raid warning is sounded, they first take their animals to shelter and then take cover themselves. When the all- clear is given they phlegmatically resume their interrupted tasks after philosophically inspecting the damage, and life returns to normal until the next raid. Memo to Sub-Editors; As this script 25/5/40 - No.25. is being issued in advance, it is necessary to check it against the broadcast this evening at 9.20 on p.m. 391 or 449 metres. NOT FOR PUBLICATION UNTIL 9.35 p.m. THIS(SATURDAY) EVENING, MAY 25. 1940. "FROM THE FRONT BENCH" by THE RT. HON. ERNEST BEVIN ,P.C. HOME SERVICE; SATURDAY. MAY 25th 1940. 9.20 - 9.35 P.m. This is the first time I have had the opportunity of addressing the citizens of this country as Minister of Labour and National Service. I little dreamed it would fall to my lot to undertake this difficult heavy responsibility. and I had, however, felt for some time that there was a positive danger of the Nation taking too many things for granted and becoming complacent in face of the challenge of the most terrible regime the world has ever seen. I felt that if this country had taken men from their homes, workshops, offices, agricultural and other duties to defend our nation on the sea, in battlefield, that these the air and on the men, who had been called upon to face danger and death, were entitled to receive the fullest support and to have an overwhelming power of supplies and equipment to assist them in carrying odt their task, I was convinced that the only argument Hitler and the Nazi regime would understand would be that of overwhelming force. Whilst this country has every right to be proud, indeed such a term cannot adequately express our feelings, - it is thankful for the amazing courage, ability and resourcefulness of our Navy, Air and Military Forces, Mercantile Marine, Trawlermen and all those who have been defending us - their very courage has made an increasing demand upon us to preserve such wonderful manhood by equipping them with the weapons and materials necessary to enable them adequately to defend themselves, and it was a great satisfaction to me to-day as the 27 's registered to know that co-incident with it this great speed-up in production was taking place. Consequent upon the break-through in France I am sure no-one in this country is surprised or taken back at the act of the Government in coming forward and asking Parliament for the drastic powers which were passed this week. We cannot afford to take any chance. We will not, by the exhibition of any weakness, risk the lives of the men in the Forces or the civilian population at home. Many/ - 2 Many of the powers which have been taken have devolved upon me, as Minister of Labour, a heavy and grave responsibility, for I have the most difficult material to handle, that is, the human being. The insured population who are working day by day to produce the sinews of war and the necessary commodities for the nation number no less than 15,000,000. But the Act goes beyond the insured population. It covers all persons and it will become my duty, as the demands are made upon me by the Service and Supply Departments, to find the necessary personnel to man the factories and workshops, perform agricultural work, etc., and to serve in the Armed Forces. In this task I believe that I shall have the confidence, co-operation and sympathy of all those who will be affected. My first task has been to create the most efficient machine I possibly could, the pivot of which is the Production Council. It is this Council which must balance the supply of material and the plant available, and have knowledge of the strategy of the war, together with the labour supply, so that the whole national effort may move in a cohesive and disciplined way. In my own particular Department I have established a Labour Supply Board, the members of which will not only have experience of labour, but of production and lay-out-. Machine tools and other instruments of production are more valuable than gold at the present time. We cannot afford that they shall be idle for one moment. Our effort will be to link and check up one against the other to ensure that there shall be no idle material or idle moments. I must try to secure for the people who are to work on the various shifts adequate transport facilities and all the amenities that I can to make their lives as comfortable as possible. To that end I have established Regional Councils and what is equally vital, Local Bodies. It is to these bodies that I shall look for the success of my scheme. It will be their duty to check up the utilisation of the Labour forces, and to have knowledge whether that force is being used effectively. They will have at their service an efficient Labour Supply Inspectorate. I shall be compelled to ask the Local Authorities to organise in the munition centres proper billeting arrangements, so as to cause the minimum inconvenience to propose,householders. I also with a view to facilitating the proper feeding of this great mass of men and women, particularly the women whom I must bring into industry, to set up communal canteens. I am grateful to Lord Woolton for placing at my disposal his services and the services of the great Food Ministry, to assist me in this task, and whose Officers will co-operate with the Local Committees. The Committees will have the duty of organising facilities for training. It is extremely vital that every form of training shall be brought into being. I must pool many of the munition factories for the purpose of employment so that the personnel is not merely employed by one factory but by the State, and then the services of the worker can be switched from one factory to another as necessity requires. I want, during this great crisis, to avoid undue dilution by using the skilled to the fullest possible men capacity. /I 3 I shall take every possible step to secure measures to ensure that, at the end of the war, the conditions which are now voluntarily given up by the workers shall be restored. In the introduction of women into these industries their training must be of an adequate character. I am glad that the question of rates of pay and conditions has been settled. I want to preserve joint negotiating machinery. the Additions to this machinery will probably be necessary in the interests of the State, but I want to ask the Trade Unions and the employers to operate this joint machinery as trustees on behalf of the State in this crisis. The Minister of Mines, Dai Grenfell, has the task of increasing coal production. The men must be brought back to the mines, and, at the same time, a feeling of security created. Many men have left the industry and I am anxious that they shall volunteer to return to assist the country. They should indicate to the Employment Exchange their willingness to return to the mine and wait until they hear further from the Exchange. I would emphasise at this point that you should keep to your present job until you receive instructions, and no employee should leave the mines. Your place is there because the transference must be made in an organised manner. In the countryside, in conjunction with Mr, Hudson, Minister of Agriculture, we are reviewing the whole situation. More food must he produced, the stigma of servitude and the old traditional conception of the farm worker must go, and go immediately. Interchangeability between the rural population must be secured. I know it can be done without compulsion. I believe the rural folk will respond when re- quested and make their contribution to the nation. They may be satisfied that in framing conditions those responsible will be guided by this outlook. Time does not permit me to deal more fully with this compre- hensive proposal, therefore the questions I want to put to every listener are: Do you want to secure victory? Do you want to smash Hitlerism? Do you want to do it in quick time? Do you want your husbands, sons and brothers home by your side, following their normal civilian life? They did not want to go to war, they are performing a disagreeable duty. You can give your answer in the field, factory and workshop. We have heard a great deal about the fifth column. I want another column - a National Service column, resolved to win and to win and which will deal drastically with anyone who seeks quickly, to hinder us in our great crusade. Always remember that when those boys do come back it is not words they want or empty promises. It is for us, in the designing of our schemes, to keep an eye on the conditions which are being created to see that they can readily be adapted to re-absorb them into our normal civil life, and to secure the ushering in of a better age based upon justice and peace. BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION. 25/5/40 - No.25. REDUCTION IN THE BACON RATION. The Ministry of Food announces that, as was foreshadowed by Lord Woolton in his broadcast on 15th May, the bacon ration will be reduced on Monday loth June from eight ounces without bone to four ounces without bone. A proportionate reduction will be made in the allocation of bacon to catering establishments. MINISTRY OF FOOD 25/5/40 - No. 26. PRESS NOTICE. The following signal has been made from the First Lord and First Sea Lord to the Commander-in-Chief, Royal Netherlands Navy We wish to extend to you and to the officers and men of the Royal Netherlands Navy a most hearty welcome to those of your ships now in British harbours. The.assistance of your arms will be of great value to the Allies, We most deeply sympathise with you having to evacuate your country, but we are convinced that this is only temporary. Many of you have already fought in a most determined manner and done much to weaken power. Among the many gallant operations performed by ships of the Royal Netherlands Navy, the following stand out. The action by Torpedo Boat Z.5. and Torpedo Motor Boat 51 at Rotterdam, when under heavy fire they prevented, after the initial surprise, further German troops from crossing the river. Again at Rotterdam, later on, the Destroyer VAN GALEN shelled the Waalhaven Aerodrome under a heavy and continuous aerial bombardment. After repelling 31 dive bombing attacks, she was hit and sunk. The survivors, however, did not give up fighting but joined in the fighting on shore, where they suffered severe losses e The Gunboats FRISO, BRINIO, GRUNO and NAASAU repelled German attacks across the Zuider Zee and the Dyke o They were heavily attacked by enemy aircraft, the FRiESO and NAASAU being sunk. Practically all Netherlands Naval vessels were under constant bombardment, but they had the satisfaction of shooting down at least 15 enemy aircraft. A particularly desperate and gallant exploit was performed by Submarines 0,23 and 0,24. These vessels had only just completed building at Rotterdam, and, although they had not been degaussed and it was known that the New Waterway was full of magnetic mines, their Officers were determined to get them and prevent them falling into German hands. If they blown up the object would be were achieved and they would helped to block the fairway. have However, by skilful handling, their Commanding Officers succeeded in dodging the mines and getting them to the open sea whence they proceeded to England. Thanks to such acts of determination and bravery a very valuable part of the Netherlands Navy has been preserved to fight on with the other Allied Naval Forces until the common enemy is defeated. In less than two weeks of warfare the officers and men under your command have demonstrated that the Royal Netherlands Navy is manned by seamen as brave and expert as those we learned to admire in former days. ADMIRALTY. S.W.l. AIR MINISTRY BULLETIN NO.760. 25/5/40 - No. 27. R.A.F. OPERATIONS LAST NIGHT AND TODAY. The Air Ministry announces: Transport columns, concentrations of troops, road and rail junctions, bridges, permanent ways and rolling stock were among the targets hit by heavy bombers of the R.A.F. in large- scale operations over Forth East France, Southern Belgium and Germany last night. The enemy’s lines of communication were disorganised over a wide area. Many fires were started, and much damage was done. In the course of these operations, three of our aircraft were lost. today, Bomber Aircraft of the R.A.F. have Throughout continued give vigorous support to the Belgian, French and to British Armies over the fighting fronts. R.A.F. Fighter Aircraft have maintained continuous patrols over the battle areas and the coast of Northern France. This morning* s reports indicate that they had already shot down or seriously damaged twelve enemy aircraft, with the loss of only one Hurricane. AIR AFFAIRS. AIR MINISTRY BULLETIN No.761 25/5/40 - No.28 ROTTERDAM BOMBED. Coastal Command aircraft today again raided the oil storage tanks now in German hands at Rotterdam. Several bombs dropped on the tanks, which were set on fire. The pilot of one of the last aircraft topart in the take raid reported that a row of oil tanks was burning fiercely when he arrived. "We dropped our bombs and as we flew off we saw that we had started two more fires," he said. One German searchlight was put out of action by a rear gunner who saw his tracer bullets score a direct hit. The light went out immediately. Two holders of the D.F.C., - one from Johannesburg* and the other from Christchurch, New Zealand - and a newly-commissioned officer who won the D.F.M. as a Sergeant, took part in the raid. All our aircraft returned safely. Another Coastal Command aircraft spotted a German motor- torpedo-boat off the Dutch coast and shadowed it for ten minutes. The pilot got into position for attack, then dived and let go one bomb from 400 feet. He scored a direct hit. Although he came down to the surface of the sea after making the attack he saw no sign of the enemy. Coastal Command aircraft have bombed and machine-gunned these motor-torpedo-boats on every possible occasion. AIR AFFAIRS AIR MINISTRY BULLETIN NO.762. 25/5/40 - No. 29 DAYLIGHT RAIDS ON COAST ROADS. Enemy motorised units on the coast roads near Boulogne were located and heavily bombed throughout yesterday by forces of Blenheim bombers which kept up an almost continuous series of offensive patrols over the area from early morning until nightfall. On the first sortie a convoy of about 40 motor vehicles standing in a field near a cross-roads on the main road, was attacked by a force of 9 Blenheims. Salvoes of high explosive bombs of heavy and light calibre were dropped and were seen to burst amongst the massed vehicles on the cross roads and on the side of the main road. Several of the raiding aircraft were hit by anti-aircraft fire which came from a number of batteries and from mobile guns in the lorry but casualties suffered by the and number of park, no were crews a photographs of the bombed transport were secured before leaving the scene. A force of Blenheims, following soon afterwards, located and attacked another column of small armoured fighting vehicles and supply lorries. As the first of the British raiders approached to bomb, a formation of 15 enemy biplanes came up and opened an attack on the nearest bomber, but hurriedly broke off the engagement on sighting a patrolling force of British fighters diving to the support of the Blenheims, The same enemy column was again attacked about an hour later by a still stronger force which dropped nearly 150 bombs and scored numerous hits on the vehicles o Later in the day anti-aircraft batteries some distance from the coast heavily attacked, while other sections of Blenheims, were reconnoitring the main roads, bombed moving columns of armoured cars and supply lorries. One large bomb was seen to fall among a group of vehicles dispersed in a field. In the evening an important canal bridge was attacked and destroyed by a strong bomber force under heavy fire frompom-pom batteries sighted along the canal banks. Nearly bombs were dropped. Bursts were seen on the main road near a bridge and an anti-aircraft battery was silenced by a direct hit. All the aircraft engaged in these daylight operations returned safely to their "bases. Although anti-aircraft opposition was intense, and several hits were sustained "by our aircraft, only one of our airmen was wounded, but only slightly. AIR AFFAIRS. 25/5/40 - No. 31. NOT TO BE QUOTED AS AN OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT A British Officer who returned from France today told the following story:- ”1 was standing on a road near the French coast two days ago” he said German ”when a aeroplane came over and out of it jumped five parachutists. I suddenly noticed at my side a private soldier with a Bren gun. He had an unlighted cigarette in his mouth and was obviously a cockney by the way he spoke. He looked up at the parachutists and seemed to gauge . the speed at which they were falling. He produced a box of matches from his pocket and quite calmly lit his cigarette and then with a twist of his tongue put it in the corner of his mouth. Lifting his gun into position, he said - "Blimey - this is just my cup o' tea." Taking aim he fined. The parachutists fell at distances ranging from 30 to 100 yards from us and not one of them ever moved again. His final comment was "Nice work when you can get it". He then sat down at the side of the road and finished his cigarette. MILITARY AFFAIRS