Friday,May16,1941 MINI.STRYOFINFORMATION NEWSBULLETINNO.382 NXASALAW*SLOYALTYANDADMIRATION "WithsympatheticadmirationwewatchtheconstancyandcourageofYour Majesty’ssubjectsintheUnitedKingdomandwepraythatunderdivineprovidence YcurMajesty’sEmpirespeedilypassthroughvictoryto mayajustandlasting peace." ThiswaspartofamessagecontainedinaresolutionpassedbytheLegislative CouncilofTfyasaland,assembledatZornba,ontheoccasionofits50th Anniversary(Wednesday,May14),reaffirming"thedevotionofallitspeoplesto thethroneandpersonofYourMostGraciousMajesty".Theresolutionwenton: ”WeprayYourMajestymostgraciouslytoaccepttheassurancethatYourMajesty’s subjectsinNyasalanddoeverremainunitedintheirloyaltytothecausefor whichtheirSovereignhastakenuparms."-- ColonialOfficePressSectionM.0.11. MOBILECANTEENFROMOTTAWA TheRotaryClubofOttawa,atitsSilverAnniversaryMeetingon May12, handedachequefor(over£250)toMr.MalcolmMacDonald,theUnited KingdomHighCommissionerinCanada,forthepurchaseofamobilecanteen. DominionsOfficePressSection.M.0.1.2 BASUTOLANDWARFUND Withafurthercontributionof£2,000theBasutolandWarFundhasreacheda totalof£43,363>14.8. oftheinstalment £5OOnewwasgivenbyDr.andMrs.H.W.Dykeforsendingto Lord theProvostofGlasgowforreliefofairraidvictims.Theyhavesuggested thatthemoneybeusedtobuyamobilecanteentobenamed"Alston-Gray"butthat iftheLordProvostshouldneedfundsformorepressingpurposeshecouldusethe inwhateverwayheliked.Mr.C.L.CollierofMaserualsoforthe moneygave£5OO generalreliefofairraidvictimsand£4OOwasgivenbyMr.W.YeatsofMaserufor thepurchaseofamobileoanteenwhichhewouldliketobenamed"BabsYeats". Thebalanceof£6OOisforHisMajesty’sGovernmentfortheprosecutionofthe war.-- DominionsOfficePressSection.M.0.1.3 GIFTFROMMAURITIUSPOLICE. 1,000Rupees(£7s)havebeenreceivedfromtheMauritiusPoliceForceasa Themoneywillthe markofsympathywithairraidvictimsinBritain.gotowards purchaseofamobilecanteen.-- ColonialOfficePressSection.M.o.J_._4 NYASALANDCANTEENFUND Nyasaland’sJubileeCanteenFundreachedatotalof£5,75*8onWednesday, May14,thedaywhichitcelebratedits on50thAnniversary. ColonialOfficePressSection,M.0.1.5 DOMINICAREDCROSS Dominica(WindwardIslands)RedCrossCommitteegiven£225tobuya has mobileoanteenforuseinLondontobeinscribed"FromthepeopleofDominica", and£25forKingGeorge’sFundforSailors,-ColonialOfficePressSection. M.o«1,6 M.0.1.NewsBulletinN0.382Page2. MAXIMUMPRICESFORCANNEDSARDINES TheMinisterofFoodhasmadeanOrder,tocomeintoforceonMondaynext, May19th,fixingmaximumImporters1 , V/holesaleandRetailpricesforcanned sardines.Inmanycases,themaximumpriceswillbereductionsupontheretail pricesnowruling.Allpricesfixedallowreasonablemarginsofprofitfor legitimatetradingbutdonottakeenhancedpricesdueto anyaccountof speculation. ThemaximumretailpricespertinforGradeIsardines,i.e.,sardinespacked inpureoliveoilorpureoliveoilandtomato,willbeasfollows 1/lOthclub20n/m„5d 4-thclub25n/m6d XthclubJOm/m.7d |flat21+m/m7M Jsspecial25nym7-JcL ■5 club30n/m9d 4club40m/m11d Jsoval11-§d reducedlBn/m7& Jsusual22n/mBjd 2fSusual22gr/m9-|d 4;Susual30nym11d JjjsAmerican3Cta/m (n0m.12oZc) Large-J-Sc40n/m2/-s (nom.lBoz.) 4/480n/m4/*s. (nom.3&oz.) ThemaximumretailpricesforGradeIIsardines,i.e.,sardinespackedin othervarietiesofoilorothervarietiesofoilandtomato,willbe|dlessper tinthantheaboveprices,exceptfortheLarge-J-s(nom.18oz.)40n/mandthe4/4 (n0m.36oz.)80n/msizes,forwhichthemaximumpriceswillbe1/lOdand3/9d respectively. Anyvariationsonthesizeslistedabovewillbesubjecttomaximumprices notexceedingthoseapplicabletothenextlowersizes. Forbonelesssardines,andforskinlessandbonelesssardines,1dpertinmay beaddedtotheretailpriceofthe4/480n/m(n0m.36oz.)sizeand-§dpertin forallothersizes.--MinistryofFood,M.o.T.7 16AA1- No,!. SUPERVISIONOFEVACUATEDYOUNGWORKERS TheMinistryofHealthandtheBoardofEducationhavewrittento localauthoritiesinreceptionareasaskingthemtokeepafriendlyeye onyouthsandgirlsevacuatedtotheirdistricts,whotakeupemployment thereonleavingschoolandcontinuetobebilleted. Theyemphasisethattheseyoungpeople,livingawayfromtheirhomes andparents,needgeneralsupervision,aswellashelpinfindingsuitable workandinformationaboutsocialandrecreationalfacilitiesforleisure hours.Ifthisisdoneforthem,parentswillmorereadilyletthemstay wheretheyareinsteadofbringingthembacktothebombedareas. Thetaskofadvisingyoungpeopleaboutemployment,andhelpingthem oobtainworkapprovedbytheirparents,isinthehandsoftheJuvenile EmploymentOfficer,assisted inmanycasesbyAfter-CareCommittees. SocialandrecreationalinterestsaretheconcernofthelocalYouth Committees(appointedbyallbutoneortwooftheHigherEducation AuthoritiesinEnglandandWales).Personalanddomesticwell-beingwill continuetobothecareofthebilletingauthorityforthereceptionarea. Itispointedoutthatthewholequestionofthecareofevacuated childrenafterleavingschooloffersausefulfieldof co-operationbetween teachers,representativesoflocaleducationandbilletingauthorities, offor leadersvoluntaryorganisationsyoungpeopleandothersocial workers.Localauthoritiesgivingtheirhelpinthismatterwillgetthe readyassistanceofthelocalrepresentativesofthei'HnistryofLabourand NationalService,theWelfareOfficersoftheMinistryofHealthandH.M. nspectorsfortheYouth.Service. MINISTRYOFHEALTHANDBOARDOFEDUCATION 16/5/41No.2. AirMinistryNewsService AirMinistryBulletinN0.3915 AGERMANCONVOYATTACKED YesterdayafternoonanattackwasmadebyaircraftofBomber Commandona convoyofsupplyshipswithawell-armedescort enemy northoftheGermanFrisianI.slands.Twoships,oneofs>oootonsand theotherof4?000tons,wereleftinflames,andathirdofabout 2,000tonswassendingupcloudsofsmoke. Thefirstsignoftheconvoywasafaintsmudgeonthestarboard skylinethoughttocomefromasinglelarge,ship.Asouraircraft approachedtheconvoywasseen. Theleaderofthesquadronchosethelargestshiptobomb,butjust whenhewasabouttoreleasehisbombs, ” Twootheraircraft,”ashesaid, “beatmetoit.” Afewsecondslaterwhiteandyellowishsmokecameupandthis wasfollowedbyasheetofflame.Flameswerealsolickingcutofthe sideoftheshipbetweendeckandwaterlevel.Astheleaderturned awayhesawasmallershipandatonceattackedfromalowlevel. Immediatelyafterbombing,agreatdealofsmokepouredupfromtheship. Thesecondlargestshipoftheconvoywasattackedatthesametime byotheraircraft.Thefirstofthesebombersflewsolowthatitcarried !bombs awaytheshipswirelessaerial;hittheshipandbythetimethe attackwasthevesselwaswellablaze. over, of TwentyminuteslatertwoMet lo9’smadeanattackononethe returningflightsofcuraircraft. Oneofourbomberswashitanddrivendown.Astheattackerturned .„away,thereargunnerofanotherbombercaughtitinthebellywithan effectiveburstandsentitintothesea. TheotherMesserschmittisbelieved,tohavebeendamagedandmadeoff. 16/5/41-No t 3., AirMinistryNewsServiceAirJministryBulletinNo.3919 APOLISHSDAY .III.1,.IHl.1 I ThisiswhathappenedwhenthreepairsofSpitfirespilotedbymembers ofaPolishsquadronofFighterCommandsweptoverNorthernFranceindaylight yesterday. A largethreeenginedtroopcarrierwasshotdowninflames; Anothertroopcarrierwasmachine-gunnedwhiletaxi-ingacrossanaerodrome; Atwofunnelledsteamerwassetonfire; TwoothershipsandE-boat anweremachine-gunned; And6He.lO9’s,apparentlyfillingat upapetroltankerononeaerodrome, weremachine-gunned. ThePolesskimmedoverfieldsandhedgesathighspeedpickingoutvictims andallreturnedwithinafewminutesofeachotheraftermakingtheirattacks. Aflightlieutenantwhodestroyedthetroopcarriersaid:'*lwashedge- hoppingandsuddenlysawaspeokintheskyabout5milesaway.Iturnedto investigate,andsawitwasaJunkers52.Ijumpedupathim,firingseveral longburstsi ”1nearlycollidedwithhimwhenIfinishedmyattack.Thefirstburst sethimonfireandbythetimeIwasbreakingawayflameswereenvelopinghis engineandfuselage.Hewentstraightdownandhewashelpeddownbya- sergeantwhowasflyingbehindme.TheGernancrashedwithatremendousex- plosionandwhenInextlookedhewasburningontheground." AnotherpairofSpitfirescamelowoveranaerodromewhereatroopcarrier wastaxi-ingacross.TheSpitfirepilotsblazedawayatitanditcametoa suddenstopinthemiddleoftheaerodrome, Theyhadalreadymachine-gunnedapetroltankeronthegrdundafewmiles awayandnowtheycrossedtheooastandbegantoup"convoy."beataIgnoring theanti-aircraftfirefromtheshiptheyattackedtheoneshipfromalev/level. Apilotofficersaid:”1sawmybulletshittingtheshipandwhenIlooked againtherewerecloudsofsmokebelchingoutofthemiddle. "Asergeantshoutedout, f shippali*- amixtureofEnglishandPolish. Hemeant 1 shiponfire ’ •Thenheattackedanothership,andafewmomentslater twoofuswereattackingacollectionoffourmoreshipsandanE-boatwas n travellingathighspeed. Twosweptlowoveranaerodromewheretheysaw6Me#109*s otherPoles roundpetroltanker* aTheybothreachedthegatheringwithlongburstsof machine-gunfirei OnthewaybacktothecoasttheysawaboutadozenGermansoldiersmarching altngaroad,*Afterthemachine-gunfireofSpitfiresthesoldierswereseen . ontheground. 16.5.41.No.A. NOTTOBEPUBLISHEDBEFOREANNOUNCEDINTHE”LONDONGAZETTE*1 OFTHISEVENING-,MAY16 WAROFFICEAWARD TheKING-hasbeengraciouslypleasedtoapprovetheundermentioned awardinrecognitionofgallantanddistinguishedservicesinthe fieldintheMiddleEast:- TheDistinguishedConductMedal. N0.A01150WarrantOfficerClass11(SquadronSergeant-Major) CorneliusTimothyBuckley,RoyalArmouredCorps (DragoonGuards). Duringarecentbattlethiswarrantofficerdisplayedsuch resourceandcouragethathecapturedseveralhundredprisoners single-handed. Ononeoccasionhisarmouredcarwasescortingapartyof prisonersand,inthedarkness,missedthesquadron*Hisparty encountereda groupofthe enemyand,althoughtheaccompanying lorrieswereunarmed,SquadronSergeant-MajorBuckleyattackedwith suchdashthattheaftersufferingfewcasualties,surrendered. enemy,a Onthefollowingmorning,whileagainescortingapartyofprisoners,he attackedand an enemyfortwithhisanti-tankriflecapturedthe garrison. OnbothoccagionsSquadronSergeant-MajorBuckleywasacting aloneandwithoutwireless,andhehasthroughouttheoperations setamagnificentexampleofboldnessanddetermination. TheHomeaddressofthiswarrantofficerisAlfreton,Derby. WAROFFICE. 16/5/41No.9. rMinistryNewsServiceAirMinistryBulletinNo.3921. NIGHTFIGHTER’SADVENTURE and toavoidshellsandmachine-gunfire, Twisting/turningcannon jockeyingforpositioninthelightofthemoon,anR.A.F.fighterand aGermanraiderfoughtanightduelwhichhadallthemovesandcounter- movesofadaytimedog-fight. Thecombattookplaceduringoneoftherecentlarge-scaleraids onthiscountry.TheBritishfightercrewhadalreadyshotdowna Germanbomber*AsthiswentdowninflamesthepilotsawaJu.88 silhouetted,againsttheglare. ’’Thesecondmachinewasobviouslylookingfortrouble,"saidthe pilotoftheBritishfighterwhenhosanded. ’’ Iturnedtoattack,but thepilothadsightedmefirst,andinsteadoftakingevasive enemy actionhemadeahead-onattack* ”1evadedthisandwebeganmillingroundoneanother,looking foranopportunitytofire*Thenmygunnergotinagoodthreeseconds burst,theenemytook'evasiveactionandwelesthimuntilmygunner spottedhimbelowandwesawbulletsandcannonshellsgoingunderneathus. !, Inextsawtheenemydownmakinganotherattackfromabove. moon, Heopenedfireandthetracerbulletswentovercurheads,hutmygunner silencedtheenemy’sfireanditwentstraightdown. "Ifollowed,andinthediveIdonotknowwhethertheenemywas hishackwhetherinanotherfourseconds’ onorwewere,Mygunnergot burst. 16.5.U. VOLUNTEERFORDlIC-EROUSDUTIES SeveralPostOfficeworkersaresalvagingthecontentsofPost Officesafes,telephonekiosks,andletterboxesintheCityofLondon whichsufferedintheGermanairattacklastSaturday.Thesemenhave volunteeredforthisduty,beingpreparedtofacethedangersinvolved fromfallingmasonryetc.Almostassoonastheraidfinishedthey turnedoutwiththeirlorryandequipment,andworkedfromdawnto' nightfalltorestorethepostalservicestonormal. Twoofthemenundertooktoclearaletterboxalmostontop 5 ofthebigbombthatthreatenedSt,PaulssCathedrallastWinter. Theyweresuccessful,notwithstandingwarningsofthedangers.All theyrepliedwas’’ltsourbusinesstogetthemailsin". ThevolunteersareunofficiallyknownasthePostOfficeSalvage Corp3 GENERALPOSTOFFICE NOTFORPUBLICATIONBEFORE2,45*p.m.,FRIDAY,16thMM,1941 16.5.41*- No.ll. FIRSTPOST-WARCLAIMONBUILDING SpeakinginWakefieldtoday,(Friday)Mr,J..ChuterEde, totheBoardofEducation,saidthatat ParliamentarySecretary leasttwo-thirdsofyoungpeople ourbetweentheagesof14-18hadno contactwitheducationalsystem.Thismeantwaste oura veryheavy ofmuchoftheformaleducationeffortlavishedontheirearlier years. Mr.EdewasaddressingtheAnnualConventionoftheYorkshire CouncilforFurtherEducationandsaidthatevenwiththeraising oftheschoolleavingageto15thiswastagewouldcontinueunless continuationschoolswereestablished.HetoldtheCouncilthat itwasnottooearlyforthemandsimilarbodiesconcernedwith furthereducationtoconsidertheproblemsofstaff,buildings andcurriculum.Theyshouldconsultemployers,tradeunionsand teachersandformulatethemosteffectivemeansbywhichDayContinuation Schoolscouldtaketheirappropriateplaceinoureducationalsystem. Kir.Edesaidthatthefirstpost-warclaimonbuildingwould befortherestorationandextensionoffull-timeschooling.Inhis viewitwouldbefataltothesuccessofthedaycontinuationschools tostarttheminmakeshiftandinadequatepremises. ReferringtotheraisingoftheschoolleavingMr,Edesaid age, thathedidnot anticipateanygreatextensionofthecurriculum. Forseine,pupilsthepresentcoursesweretoohurriedlycoveredin threeyears.Byspreadingthecourseoverfouryearspupilswould havemoretimetoovercomedifficultiesandtomasteronephaseof asubjectbeforetacklingthenext. Mr.Edealsosaidthatadisappointingfeatureofevening instituteworkwasthefailureofsolargeaproportiontocomplete aconsecutivecourse."Wemustdeplorethenumberwhofalloutbythe wayandthestilllargernumberwhoneverstartatall".Tc-overcome thisMr.Edesuggestedeverclosercontactwithemployersandtrade unions,frequentconsultationswithyouthleaders,interviewswith schoolleaversandanyotherpersonaltouchessuitabletothe individual. BOARDOFEDUCATION. 16/5/41~ No.14. SCHEDULEOFRESERVEDOCCUPATIONSANDPROTECTEDWORK DE-RESERVATIONATSTAGEB. UnderthenewScheduleofReservedOccupationsand ProtectedWorkanumberofmenwillceasetobereserved atStageB.Thoseamongsuchmenwhoareinoccupations forwhichasingleageofreservationornoreservation. isprovidedatStageBwillingeneralberequiredtoattend formedicalexaminationinthenearfuturewithaviewto calling-upinJuly.forthedefermentof Anyapplication thecalling-upofsuchmenshouldbemadenotlaterthan 31stMay,1941. Applicationsinrespectofothermenaffectedbythe changesinthescheduleatStageB,thatistosay,menin occupationswithdualagesofreservationforprotectedand unprotectedworkandinofinthe respectivelyrespectmen 1902and1901ageclassesshouldnotbemadeforthepresent Thedateforsuchapplicationswillbeannouncedlater;it isnotlikelytobebeforethemiddleofnextmonth. AcopyoftheScheduleofReservedOccupationscanhe seenatMinistryofLabourOfficeandcanbeobtained any fromH.M.StationeryOffice,price1/-. MINISTRYOFLABOURANDNATIONALSERVICE 16.5.41.N0.16. CO2.fi,{UNIQUEFROI.xTHEFREEFRENCHHEADQUARTERS InallowingtheSyrianaerodromestobeusedbyGerman’planes •eabettorsoftheJunecapitulationhavejustbeenguiltyofafresh actoftreason. HowcouldMarshal.'Petain,revokingthepromisehesorecentlymade, publiclyassociatehimselfwithamoveagainstthealliesofFrance? TheFrenchmenwhohavejoinedGeneraldeGaulleinordertocontinue, thestruggleSeewithdeepestsorrow,thesadend militaryofaFrench leader,nowthemeretoyofasmallgroupofaareeristswhohavegoneover totheenemy. TheFreeFrenchhaveneverheldthattheVichyGovernment,whichwas formedwithoutconsultingtheFrenchpeople,is speakentitledtoon behalfofthenation.Theyhavealwaysmaintainedthattheactiontaken bytheVichyGovernmentdefiesthewishesoftheimmensemajorityofthe people. FacedwiththisfreshinfamyonthepartofAdmiralDarlanandhis accomplices,theFreeFrenchwishtostatebeforethewholdworldthat theVichyGovernmentdoesnotrepresentFranceandthattheFrenchpeople Hitnotinanyway"beinvolvedinthatGovernment’sdishonour-..... Inthenameofournation,nowgaggedandpowerless,FreeFrance solemnlyandpubliclyprotestsagainstVichy’spolicyoftreason.. OFINFORMATION. 16.5>41No.21. WARDAMAGETOLANDANDBUILDINGS EXTENDEDTIMEFORNOTIFICATION TheWarDamageCommissionannounces•- Ownersofestateslargenumberofseparate comprisinga propertieswhofindcomplyingwiththeregulation difficultyin whichrequiresanypersonwhohasaninterestinapropertyto notifythatinterestwithinthirtydaysontheFormC.1.,can applytotheRegionalManageroftheareainwhichtheproperties aresituatedforanextensionoftime.TheRegionalManager hastheauthorityoftheCommissiontodealgenerously-withsuch applicationsinallsuitablecases. Theoccupierofpremisesonsuchestatesshouldbeableto notifyhisinterestwithinthe proscribedperiod,butanextension canbegrantedbytheRegionalManagerifcircumstanceswarrantit WARDAMAGECOMMISSION 16/5/41- No.22 MIDDLEEASTCOmiUNIQUE ThefollowingofficialcommuniquewasissuedatBritishG.H.Q.Cairo, today:- LIBYA:AstheresultofalimitedoperatiQncarriedoutbyourcovering forces,BritishtroopsyesterdayoccupiedHALFAYAPASS,MJSAJD, ajadSOLLUM,inflictingseriouscasualtiesontheenemyand capturinganumberofGermanprisoners. ABYSSINIA:Inspiteofcontinuousandfurtherprogress ~ heavyrain, hasbeenmadeinouradvanceonAI'.iBAALAG-I,IntheSouthern areas,theimportantpostofSCIASCIAMANNAhasbeenoccupied andfurtherprisonershavebeentaken. IRAQ:NochangeintheBASRAandHABBANIYAHareaswherethesituation remainscalm. MINISTRYOFINFORMATION(MilitaryAffairs) 16.5.41No.23. ARMYPROMOTIONS. TheundermentionedLt.-Gens,tobeGenerals:- SirGuyC.Williams,K.C.8.,C.M.G.,D.5.0.,(8372)(Col.Comdt.R.E.) 7thFebruary,1941. SirRobertH.Haining,K.C.8.,D.5.0.,(Col.Comdt.R.A.)(22446) 15thApril,1941. (Actg.Gen.)SirAlanF.Brooke,K.C.8.,D.5.0.,(Col.Comdt.R.H.A.)(6439) 7thMay,1941. TheundermentionedMaj,-Gens,(Actg.Lt.-Gens.)tobeLt,-Gens, D.F.Anderson,C.8.,C.M.G.,D.5.0.,(Col.E.YorkRegt.)(8403) 7thFebruary,1941,vdthseniority11thJuly,1938. T.S,Riddell-Webster,C.8.,D.5.0.,(1505)15thApril,1941. A.F.A.N.Thome,C.8.,C.M.G.,D.5.0.,(13980)7thMay,1941. WAROFFICE,S.W.I. - No.27 MAXIMUMPRICESFORTAPIOCAANDSAGO TheMinisterofFoodhasmade Order,tocomeintoforce an onMondaynext,May19th,fixingmaximumpricesfortapioca andsago,onsalesbyamillerorimportertoawholesaler,on salesbyaprimarytoasecondarywholesaler,onsalestoa retailerandonsalesbyretail. Themaximum-retail-prices.will‘be.asfollows TAPIOCA Flaked: U.K.flaked,8-yperlb. " Singapore,7d ” Java,7d Anyothertapioca6jd" SAGO Allgrades,6ydperlb. Smalladditionstotheretailpricesarepermittedfor tapiocaandsoldincardboardandCellophanecontainers, sago andalsoonsalesintheHighlandsofScotland,certainScottish islandsandintheScillyIslesc MINISTRYOFFOOD 16/5/41N0:25. SUPPLEMENTARYPETROLALLOWANCES. Theissueofsupplementaryallowancestoapplicantshasnowbegun. TheSecretaryforpetroleumtakesthisopportunityofremindingmotorists thatreductionshavebeenmadebecauseofthegreatlyincreasedrequire- mentsoftheFightingForces.Heasksthem,tothese therefore,accept eductionsintheNationalinterestandtotheir adjustconsumption accordingly.Itshouldbeunderstoodthatallpetrol,whethersupplied onbasicorsupplementarycoupons,shouldbeusedwithstrict economy. PETROLEWIDEPARTMENT. 16/5/41-No.24 AtthefuneralofMissAgnesKeyser,founderofKing EdwardVIIHospitalforOfficers,atGreatStanmorethis afternoonLieutenant-GeneralSirWilliamP.MacArthur, DirectorGeneralofArmyMedicalServices,representedthemedical medicalservicesoftheArmy,and Major-GeneralC.J.Wallace, DirectorofPersonalServices,representedtheArmyandthe ArmyCouncil. WAROFFICE. 16.5*41"No.30. LIGHTONGERMANCASUALTYLISTS. Strikingevidenceisnowavailablewhichreflectsontheunreliability ofGermanstatementstheirThis regardingcasualtylists*evidenceistobe foundinthecolumnsoftheSchwarze.Korps,theofficialofthe organ S.S.BlackGuards,andotherGermannewspapers. TheSchwarzeofApril10threportsthedeathofS.S.ScharfUhrer Korps AlfredSuchan,whowasreportedmissingonJune1Sth,1940,ontheWestern Front.Thepapernaivelyremarksthatthenewsofhisdeathisnowavailable "afteralongwaitofninemonths".ThesameissueoftheSchwarzeKorps announcesthedeathoffiveotherGermansoldiers:S.S.-UnterschafdhrerGeorg Bemeburg,S.'S.-RottenftlhrerWernerJtthnk,S.S.-RottenftlhrerHeinrichWetekam, S.S.-RottenftthrerWalterKielmann,andS.S.-Sturmmann,San;-St,Jl/46Bodo Guhlemann.FourofthemkilledtheLaBasseeCanal wereononMay24th,.1940, thatis,twelvemonthsand1940* ago,theotherontheMarneonJune20th, ThepaperalsoannouncesthedeathonDecember29th,1940,"astheresultof anaccident,ofS.S.-UnterscharfilhrerOttoReinecke". EvenilluminatingtwotheBremerNachrichten moreareparagraphsfrom ofApril11thand13th.Thefirstreadsasfollows:- ’’Afterelevenmonthsofanxiouswaitinginatormentof uncertaintyastohisfate,wehavereceivedthesadnewsthat ourbelovedloyalsonandbrother,ourbelovednephewandcousin,, raybeloved,nevertobeforgottenfianceandstepsonCarlDietrich Behrens,UnteroffizierineinerLuftlande-Truppe,diedonMay14th, 1940,ofheavywoundsintheZuidwallHospitalinTheHague*." Thesecondonesays: ’’AfterlongandpainfuluncertaintyIhavenowreceivedthe shockingnewsthatmybelovedhusbandFranzBaer,privatein aninfantryunit,diedfortheFilhrerandReichontheWestern ” FrontonMay27th,1940. ThedoesnotexplainwhyithastakentheGermanGovernment paper elevenmonthsinthefirstcasetoinformtheparentsofamanwhodied controlandinthesecondthere inahospitalundermilitarywhy,case, hasbeenanequaldelayininformingthewifeofInfantryPrivate FranzBaer. Therecan"beoneoftwoexplanationsforthislongdelayinannouncing casualties*Oneexplanationisthattherecording GermanArmysystemfor casualtiesisinefficient,andthatisnotin andnotifyinghopelessly accordancewiththegeneraladministrativeefficiencyoftheGermanArmed isthattheGerman Forces.Theother,andmuchmoreprobableexplanation, thenotificationofcasualtiessoasto Governmentisdeliberatelydelaying Theofdoing spreadthemoverthelongestpossibleperiodoftime.purpose thisistoensurethatalargenumberofobituarynoticesdonotappearin andcontradictthefantasticallylow the papersatthesametimethus in officialfiguresoftotalcasualtiessuchasthosegivenbyHitlerhis recentspeech. MINISTRYOFINFORMATION(MILITARYAFFAIRS). TEXTOFBROADCASTBYMr.HERBERTMORRISON MINISTEROFHOLESECURITYAT9.20P.M. TOBE 16.5.41- No.31. CHECKERWITHDELIVERY. FORTYMILLIONFIGHTERS. TheBattleoftheFlamesisnowthebiggestjobtheHomeandwe’ve on Front, gottowinit. Thewartimebattleoftheflamesislikethattheof nothing.yearspeace evershowedInspiteofallthatthefirewatchersfires us.cando,mayleap notintwo uponeorplacesbutten,twenty,fifty,ahundredplacesatatime. Someofthesemayspreadalmostinstantaneously.Allofthemneedthefiremen’s immediateattentioniftheflamesarenottobeginmarchingfromeachpoint steadily,implacablyandwithincreasingspeed- frontonebuildingtothenext andthenext. Meanwhile,thehighexplosivebombsarethunderingdownonbuildingsand roads.WaterRoads mainsmaybebrokenandempty.maybeblockedbycraters stretchingfromkerbtokerb,orbythetumbledmassofruinedbuildings.Into thisinfernocomethefirefighters.Runninganobstacleracewithruin; strugglingtothehomesofthecentresof save people,commerce,powerfulunits ofwarproduction,architecturaltreasures. Iftheattackislongandheavy,therecometohelpthedefenders,alongthe darkenedroads,otherfirebrigadescalledinfrom10milesor100milesaway. Neartheofinthe scenebattle,night,onunknowngroundwiththebombs stillfallingandeveryroadpossibledeathtrap,theylinkthemselvesupwith a theforcesalreadythere.Theyaddtheirstrengthofmuscleandofmachineto thoseofthetheThehosespour.Themenfightwiththeir armyonspot, brainsaswellastheirhands,puttingobstaclesinthepathofthefire,clear- ingoutofthewaythematerialonwhichitmustfeed.Absorbedinthestruggle, theyforgettherisk.Thebattleuntilmorning,andafter. goeson ThisistheBattleoftheFlamesatitsworst.Thankheavenwe’vevery seldomhaditatitsworst.Buteveninitsmilderformsitiswar.Itmoves withthespeedofwar.Itcallsfortheintensesustainedeffortofbattle. advance Itdemands,aswar does,planning,firmcentralcontrol,thepowerto improviseinaninstantandtakeadecisionimmediately,soastomeetasituation whichtransformsitselfalmostfromminutetominute. Firehasbeen gobacktopeacetime. Nowfightingalwayslocalaffair. a Thebrigadehasbeenownedandrunbythecouncil-theborough,the urban, theruraldistrict,yes,eventheparishcouncil.Itwasonlyin1938thatthe parishwasabolishedasfireauthority.Inthataspartofourprepar- ayear, ationforintensiveairattack,Parliamentdecidedthatfireshouldbefought outsideL.C.C.Londonbyboroughandurbanandruraldistrictcouncilswith about1,400separatebrigadesinall.Thatwastheadministrativebasis' deliberatelyadoptedbyParliamentafterMunich! Ofcoursewiththewarriskinviewthesizeofbrigadeswas'vastly thousandA.F.S.volunteers.Inthe increased,byrecruitingandtrainingmany easiertimesbeforetheschemesofmutualreinforcement heavyblitzelaborate wereworkedout.ButlastSeptember*sBlitzkriegwasmetby1,400separate had brigades;andallthe manychangesanddevelopmentssinceSeptemberhave• tobebuiltamidthebattleonthatdividedfoundation.Therehavebeen whichhavedonemuchtolinktheseparatebrigades changes:greatchanges, togetherinaction. /Butnow -2- Butnowthetimehas moreradicalformuch change.1,400brigades, comea ofallsortsand sizes,withindependentcontrolandleadership,howeverwell theyworktogether,aretooheavilyhandicappedinfacingoneruthlessenemy. Theyhaveinfactdonewondersandcopedwithtasksfarbeyondthewildest possibiltiesofpeacetime. Buttheneedsofparamount.Parliamentwillbeaskedto wararenowgive theHomeSecretaryauthorityoverallthebrigadesofEnglandandWales-.For Scotland,similarauthoritywillbeconferredontheSecretaryofStatefor Scotland.TheHomeOfficeandMinistryofHomeSecuritywilloperatethrough Regionalandsub-regionalorganisations.Weshallhaveatourdisposal working units,amalgamatedfirebrigades,muchlargerthanthebrigadesoftodayinall buta veryfewpartsofthecountry.Eachunitwillhavestrongerleadership, betteropportunitiesfortraining,greaterchancesforgettingitsforcesinto actionwheretheywanted,thansmallerscale-. arearepossibleona Moremenarebeingcalledupforwholetimefireserviceandwehopetoget greaternumbersoftimeWemusthavetheirhelpcannotwinthe partmen.-we battleoftheflameswithoutthem.They,liketheregulars,haveshownacool andandprofessionalskillwhichdeservethe steadynerve,adoggedcouragea inthewayofequipmentand verybestthatwecanprovideforthemorganisation, leadership. Iappealtoallpart-timeA.F.S.mento carryon,andgetstillmoreof theirfriendstojointhem. Alltheeffectsofthenewwar-timere-organisationwillnotbefelt immediately.Tore-shapethefirebrigadeinthemidstofbattleisahugejob andcannotbefinishedovernight.Butweknowwhatwewant.Vfeshallmakeall possiblespeedingettingit. There'sanotheraspectofthewholefireproblem.Theoldproverbabout preventionbeingbetterthancureisprofoundlytrueoftheBattleoftheFlames. Y/ithinthelastfourmonthsthe armyoffirefightershasbeenreinforcedby a greatarmyoffirepreventers,menandwomenwhomakeittheirbusinesstoput outafirebombbeforeitbecomesablaze.Therearecloseon2millionpeople inthiscomradeshipoffirebombfighters. They'vedonemagnificentwork.Experiencedfire.chiefshavetoldmethat theworkoftheirenormouslyhasbeeneasedbecausefires Brigadesmanynowso neverreallygetstartedatall,ornevergetbigenoughtoworrythebrigade. Therearepointswherethefirebombarmymaybestrengthened.There’sroomfor improvementinorganisation,leadership,equipmentandtraining.Fire-bomb fightingisbetterdoneinsomeplacesthaninothers.Wemustn’tbeblindto thedefects,slowtocorrectthem.Butdon’tletfixfirmly orusour s^n<^eso ontheweaknessesthatwemissthemeaningofthemostremarkable/developmentin fire-fightingsincetheheavyraidingstarted. NowI’vegotaplainwordtosaytoallcitizensonthissubject. Fire-bombfightingisaNationalService-whateverbuildingoneis guarding* It'safinethingtoguardyourownhomebutifapartyofyourneighboursis takinggoodcareofhome,it’sjustasfineathingforyoutohelpprotect your someotherhouse,oroffice,orfactory. Anybuildingofanykind,ifitissetalight,willbejustasattractivea magnettobringhighexplosivesdownonthewholeneighbourhood,asyourown housewouldbe.Themainburdenofmoneylossfallsnotanownerbutonthe upon wholecommunity. Afactoryisawarassettothewholenation.Noneofuscanaffordto loseit;neithertheowner,northemanager,northemenwhoworkthere,northe armedforces,northerestofthecommunity,whoneeditsoutputtobring victorynearer.Indeedifwearegoingtolookatthematterintermsofnarrow sectionalinterestthelossofthebuildingaffectstheownerleastofall;for hislossislargelycoveredbyaStateinsurancescheme,whilethe managerand workerlosetheirjobs,andthecountry‘losesessentialwarmaterial. 3 Thenightfighterpilotdoesn’tstopto argue,beforeheshoots,down theenemybomber,thatthebombwouldnothavefallenonhisownproperty butonhisboss’s,orsomeoneelse’s.Thefiremandoesn’targueeither. Hefightsthefirewhereveritis.Whatstrangethingitwouldbeif a weciviliansonthegroundweretoshowlesspatriotismandcommonsense thantheairmenorthefiremen. Wearedoingthesamejobasthey. Whenthepilotshootsdownbomber,hemaystopitdroppingthefire a bombsthatyouwouldhavehadto putout.Ifhemisses,andthebombsfall, thenyoucomein.Soifyou’regoingtoworrywhereyouserve,orwhose propertyyouguard,whyshouldn'tthenightpilot,withthesamereasondo thesamething?Thinkitover. ThestrengthoftheBritishpeopleisalsotheirweakness.Inour islandhomewehavelivedforhundredsofyearsalifecushionedfromthe worstshocksofwar.Sowe’renotalwaysquickenoughtorecogniseimminent danger.Andwefinditveryverydifficulttogiveupourordinaryways. We’reslowtorealisethatyoucan’tfightawaronthebasisofnormalideas aboutpersonalrightsandconveniences,orgrouprightsandtraditions. Thewaysofpeaceareinourblood,fromthehouseholderwhowantstostop inhisownstreettothebusinessmanortheworkerarguingaboutrights and wrongswhilethebombsfall. Butnowthetimehascometogetbeyondthat.Wemustallrisetoa greatoccasion.Forwo’reallinthisfight,andthoughwe’vealreadysaid goodbyetomanyanoldideaandhabit,ifwe’retowinweshallhavetoget ridofmoreyet.Idonotspeakoffirefightingalone,butofallthe many variedtasksoftheHomeFront,whenIsaythatatthismomentthere’sno roomforprivateselfishness,noroomforsectionalismofanykind.Thisis totalwar;weneedawholepopulationto wageit» "FortyMillionFighters." MINISTRYOFHOMESECURITY. 16/5/41.No.J2. PRESSNOTICE H.M.Gevemnsntgivenoticethatthelimitsoftheareasinthe MediterraneanwhichhavebeendeclareddangeroustoshippinginFebruary andApril1941areextendedtoincludeallwaterstotheeastwardofaline drawnfromRasElNanaisinadirection024°toapointthreemiles180° fromCapeKhelidoniainTurkey,withtheexceptionofTurkishterritorial waters*Anyvesselsailingintheseareas-withoutthepermissionofBritish navalauthoritieswilldosoatitsriskandperil. ADMIRALTY, S.W.I. 16/5/41No.33 MIDDLEEASTCOM.UNIQUE. H.Q.,R..A.F.., MiddleEast,. Friday,16thMay. CYRENAICA. Heavyattacksweremao.eon enemymechanised,unitsandtroopconcentrations inCyrenaicayesterday,betweenSoliumandHalfaya,the enemywasconstantly harassedbybombattacks.BetweenBardiaandTobrukourfightersmachine-gunned motorconsiderableanddestroyedammunitionandpetrol transport,causingdamage lorries.Ourandseveral fightersengageddamagedenemyaircraft. DuringthenightofMay14/15R.A.F.bombersraidedBenghaziandBenina. firesandseriesofheavyexplosionstooktlace. Largewerecaused,a very ABYSSINIA. InanattackonAmbaAlagi,aircraftofaRhodesiansquadroncarriedout aseriesofraids.ThefortatToselliwasattacked,andtendirecthitswere registered.AirsupportwasalsogiventoourtroopsoperatinginCentral Abyssinia.GondaraerodromewasbombedbyFreeFrenchaircraftandsome enemy fightersonthegroundwereseverelydamaged. IRAQ. AircraftoftheFleetAirArmsuccessfullyattackedmilitarybarracksat Samawa.Alargenumberofbombsfellinsidethe compound. SYRIA. GermanaircraftonthreeSyrianaerodromeswereattackedyesterday.At Palmyra,threeJu.90s,twootherGermanaircraftandoneCr42weremachine- gunned.Atleastthreeoftheseaircraftwereseverelydamagedandoneother wasburntout,SimilarattacksweremadeatDamascusandRayak. GREECE. German-occupiedaerodromesinGreecewereraidedonthenightof May14/15* Fulldetailsarenotavailable,butpreliminaryreportsstatethatlargefires werestartedontheaerodromesandaconsiderablenumberofaircraftwere enemy destroyed. Ithasbeenestablishedthat110sandsix nowon May13and14twoMe, otherGermanaircraftweredestroyedoverCretebyourfighters. MALTA. Maltawasagainraidedyesterdayandonthepreviousnight.Someslight damagewascausedtoR.A.F.propertyandanumberofcivilianhouseswere Fromalltheoperationsunderreviewtwoofaircraftmissing destroyed.ourare 16/5/41-No.37 AirIlinistryNo.3925 AIRMINISTRYANDMINISTRYOFHOMESECURITYCOMMUNIQUE ThisafternoonanumberofenemyaircraftcrossedtheSouth-Eastcoast. Theywerepromptlymetbystrongformationsofourfighterswhobeatthem back. Fiveenemyfightersweredestroyed,threebyourfightersandtwoby anti-aircraftgunfire. Oneofourfightersismissingbutthepilotissafe. Reportsreceivedto7*30thiseveningindicatethatnobombshave up beendropped.