28/10/43 - No. 5 . AMERICAN' HOSPITALITY FOB BRITISH PRISONERS OF WAR The American Red Cross Service Club at Exeter has extended a cordial invitation to any two repatriated British prisoners of war whose homes are not in the British Isles to spend a week’s leave at the club as guests of American service men. Major General S. C. Gepp, has replied to the Club stating that its very generous offer is greatly appreciated and that as seen as he receives the names of those who have no homes he will select two guests from their number* THE WAR OFFICE 28/10/43 - No. 6 MEDICAL CORPS • RESCUE PRISONERS EIGHT MILES INTO NO-HAN’S LAND UNDER SHELL FIRE Thanks to the courage ...and .determination of two officers and 55 men of a field ambulance unit 177 wounded British and Allied soldiers, prisoners in Italy, received medical treatment two days before our fighting troops occupied the "town of Caserta, One morning a small patrol of the Reconnaissance Corps returned with Capt, Hudson, whom they hod brought/cSPthe hospital and who had been taken prisoner at Gazala in N.Africa, • lie reported that 124 British, 31 American, 13 Indian and 7-S. African prisoners of war were in a hospital eight miles away and badly needed attention, Immediately it was decided to take medical supplies, food and water to the hospital. That of darkness Major Dougall with his evening, under cover set out company of a Field Ambulance Unit guided by Capt. Hudson, who, although weak from months of under nourishment and ill health, insisted on accompanying them. This convoy of three ambulances and five 3 ton lorries, carrying food and' supplies and a water waggon, soon met its first obstacle. An American patrol, not for one moment expecting any allied transport to be in that area, opened fire on the Major’s jeep).. The company commander stopped the convoy, explanations followed, and the journey was resumed* A further anxious moment when bend, they nearly into occurred, rounding a ran some trees felled across the road.. In the inky blackness it was too dangerous to remove them in case they were booby traps. But so great was the anxiety to get to the hospital, and incidentally to keep the vehicles moving for shell bursts were coming nearer that Major Dougall took the risk of driving his car round the obstacle. Getting round safely the others followed and about two miles from the town, Major Dougall and a sergeant left the transport and. proceeded on foot to explore has been used entry into the main road; possibly the first time the R.A.M.C. as an a reconnaissance patrol in no-man*s land. The hospital was reached without incident, but the gates were locked and guarded by Italians, lifter twenty minutes cajoling the guards were persuaded to admit the two Britishers, They did not know if any Germans were about and great in English was their relief when, from the inky blackness of a doorway, a challenge rang out, The sick and wounded men were astounded to see a British officer and sergeant walk in and one man cried out, "Look, the British are here, British I tell you, British". Like lightning the glad news spread, and from other wards walking patients crowded in. and Capt. McNeil, of Half an hour later the convoy arrived and the Major one his round of the patients and by the aid of their company officers, began a and where destroyed the electrical plant examined the men torches - the Boche had - necessary fresh dressings. At first light they were again at work * going the rounds*, cleaning up the breakfasts for 177 men the words, which were in a filthy condition and preparing first British breakfast the men had had for many months. little and small Their diet hod consisted of macaroni twice daily, a soup a bread* Tatar the but occasionally ersatz coffee morsel of was principal drink, was issued* /Had 2 Had it not been for the Red Cross parcels ..these' men undoubtedly would have been short; These gifts, '"state the men, came through"regularly every week and Were more than welcome, containing as they did, excellent tinned goods, chocolate, cigarettes and medical supplies. In March the Germans removed a Lt, Colonel and other British doctors. The wounded were thus left in the care of L/Cpl, F. McKearney, R.A.M.C. and Pte, H. Bealey of the. .Buffs. Bealey took charge of all dysentery cases, diagnosing, prescribing and even giving injections. C.S.M, Morrison, one of the patients said it was a revelation, the way Bealey carried on and the trust the other fellows had in him. Cf L/Cp>l* McKearney, the sergeant major’s praise knew no limits. He organised everything, daily inspections of' every man, charts of progress, diets and so on. He personally did all the dressings and even when the wounded arrived from Sicily managed to cope with*them as well. But for the skill and untiring efforts of these two men, many of the others would have died. MILITARY AFFAIRS 28/10/43 - No. Air Ministry News Service Air Ministry bulletin No. 11898 PAY DAY IS SAVINGS DAY To maintain its many thousands of miles of permanent routes Transport Command of the R.A.F. has "staging posts" established from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean, in all climates, and in almost all conditions. Welfare is an important matter! but whether the staging post is in bush or desert, in the hills or equatorial that welfare is near seas, carefully watched. Pull provision is made for relaxation wherever possible, and health is the first consideration* An illuminating sidelight on the provisions made comes from one post not so very far from the Equator, The commanding officer in a note just received says: "The health and welfare of the unit maintaining is a high standard, mainly due to the medical supervision and facilities for messing and entertainment. As a result, the airmen of the unit are spending very little money on outside entertainments, and the National Savings' contribution for this month was approximately £340, which, for 60 personnel, is considered excellent. "On one pay day in particular, the paying officer took back more than he brought," 8 28/10/43 - No* 14 PIDDLE EAST AIR COMMUNIQUE Headquarters, Royal Air Force, Middle Bast, October 28, 1943 Bombers and fighters attacked the airfield at Antimachia, Cos yesterday. Personnel disembarking from a Ju.52 transport were caught in the fighters' fire, and the bombers destroyed the enemy aircraft and also started two large fires* The harbour at Porto Maltesana, Stampali, was bombed, bursts being observed on the jetty. Direct hits were scored in an attack on the barrack buildings ad Gavdos Island. A formation of Ju.88s about to attack shipping, was driven off by our fighters without dropping their bombs. A number were damaged.. An enemy aircraft was destroyed in the Castelrosso area* From those and other operations none of our aircraft is missing* 28/10/43 - No. 22 NORTH AFRICA COMMUNIQUE NO. 350 Allied Force Command Post, October 28, 1943 ARMY: Troops of the 8th Army are fighting their way forward through difficult country* Enemy positions, strongly held, cover all main approaches end have to be dealt with in detail. Our progress is satisfactory. Torella has been captured after stiff fighting and Castelmauro is clear of the enemy. Mafalda is in our hands. The 5th Army has gained additional important high ground* Riardo has been taken AIR: Operations of the North West African Air Forces were greatly restricted yesterday by bad weather* Fighter bombers and fighters attacked positions at Gaeta. Patrols gun were flown over the battle areas. From those operations none of our aircraft's missing* 28.10.43. No. 23 NOT NOR PUBLICATION, BROADCAST IN OVERSEAS BULLETINS OR USE ON CLUB TAPES BEFORE 2330 B. S. T. ON OCTOBER 26, 1943. NOT TO BE BROADCAST IN THE MIDNIGHT NEWS OF OCTOBER 28/29 THIS EMBARGO SHOULD BE RESPECTED OVERSEA BY PREFACING- ANY MESSAGES FILED WITH THE EMBARGO MR. R.J. HUMPHREYS The Ministry of Labour and National Service have made available to the Board of Trade the part-time services of Mr. R. J. Humphreys , their Regional. Controller in Wales, for work on industrial reconstruction problems in 'that area* BOARD OF TRADE 28.10.43 - No. 27 OFFICIAL POLISH NAVAL COMMUNIQUE Polish Naval Headquarters announce that during operations connected with the landing of British and American forces at Salerno, the destroyer O.R.P. Piorun, while escorting a British convoy, shot down two German aircraft which were attempting night torpedo attacks. Three energy aircraft were hit by other ships of the escort. In addition, O»R.P. Pierun engaged a. number cf enemy E-boats and drove- then off. The destroyers O.R.P. Slazak and O.R.P. Krakowiak also took part in the operations at Salem , successfully driving off many enemy air attacks. POLISH NAVAL H.Q. POLISH DESTROYER'S PROUD RECORD The 0.R.P. Piorun, mentioned today as having taken pant in the landings at Salerno. has seer: notable service in this war. She is best known for of the the part she played in the final stages chase and destruction of the German battleship Bismarck. .The Piorun was the first to sight the Bismarck in this phase of the action Near then end Admiral, Captain, Vian, made the following signal "Many congratulations that you were the first ship of our force to sighs the enemy. I hope you may be with me next time I go M .unto action, The Captain of the Piorun replied !! We are proud to have been in your company and it will be the greatest honour, for us to be in action under your co mmand against the Tirpitz. tf Under a glass case in the ward-room of the Piorun stands a burnished shell-case, one of the shots fired by the destroyer at the Bismarck. Engraved on the shell-case is a plot of the course steamed by the destroyer in Arctic, Atlantic end Mediterranean, during the war, including her historic sighting and attack on the Bismarck. She has been much service in the Mediterranean and a few days ago was reported as having taken part in the bombardment of Reggio with H.M. Ships Nelson and Rodney, just before Allied forces were landed in Metropolitan Italy. NAVAL AFFAIRS 28.10.43 - No. 29 PRESS NOTICE HisMajesty has been pleased to approve the honour of receiving appointments as Aides-de-Camp to the King being extended to officers of the accountant Branch, by the addition of one paymaster captain to the number of Naval Aides-de-Camp, Paymaster Captain C. K. Lloyd, R.N. has been selected for appointment as the first holder of this honour. ADMIRALTY S.W.1. 28.10.43. No. 32 HOT FOR PUBLICATION, BROADCAST IN OVERSEAS BULLETINS OR USE ON CLUB TAPES BEFORE 2330 B.S.T. OH THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1943, i.E. FOR MORNING PAPERS OH FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1943. NOT TO BE BROADCAST' IN THE MIDNIGHT NEWS OF 28/29 OCTOBER. THIS EMBARGO SHOULD BE RESPECTED OVERSEAS BY PREFACING ANY USAGES FILED WITH THE EMBARGO. SIMULTANEOUS PUBLICATION IN THE WEST INDIES HAS BEEN ARRANGED PRINCESS ROYAL WELCOMES WEST INDIAN A.T.S. AT COLONIAL OFFICE H. R.H. The Princess Royal, Controller Commandant of the A. T.S. attended a tea party given at the Colonial Office yesterday (Thursday, October 28) by the Secretary of State for the Colonies (Colonel Oliver Stanley) and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (the Duke of Devonshire) to welcome the recently arrived contingent of A.T.S. from the West Indies. This contingent comprises twenty-four girls from Jamaica, who are the first arrivals of a contingent from the Colonies in the Caribbean Area, the remainder of whom are expected to arrive in the United Kingdom shortly. H.R.H. was accompanied by the Dowager Lady Lloyd, (Lady-in—.waiting) and by Senior Controller L.V.L.E WhatelEy, C.B.E. Deputy Director of the A*T.S. (also representing; Sir Janes Grigg, the Secretary of State for Var). After inspecting contingent and shaking hands with each member, the H* R/ H* made a, short speech of welcome replied to by private L.F. Irvine behalf her after which Colonel on of colleagues, Stanley also welcomed the girls on behalf of H.M. Government. In addition to Sir George Cater, (permanent Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office) members of the staff of the Colonial Office, War Office (including A. T.S. Headquarters), Ministry of Information, B.B.C* and the West India Committee accepted invitations to be present. COLONIAL office 28/10/43 - No. 33 NOT FOR PUBLICATION, BROADCAST IN OVERSEAS BULLETINS OR USE ON CLUB TAPES BEFORE 2330 B.S.T. ON OCTOBER 28, 1943. NOT TO BE BROADCAST IN THE MIDNIGHT NEWS OF OCTOBER 28/29. THIS EMBARGO SHOULD BE RESPECTED OVERSEAS BY PREFACING ANY MESSAGES FILED WITH THE EMBARGO COAL SUPPLES DURING- NOVEMBER-DECEMBER The Minister of Fuel and Power announces that new restrictions on the supply of coal to domestic and other controlled premises come into operation on Ist November and will apply during the months of November and December. The new restrictions reflect the seriousness of the coal situation and the vital necessity for the utmost economy in the use of fuel. The maximum quantity of house and kitchen coal 'which may he supplied ■without a licence during the two months in the Southern, Eastern, South Western, South Eastern and London Regions is 10 cwt.; the figure for Scotland and the remainder of England and Pales is. 13 cwt. A consumer's stock, including any deliveries which may he made, must not he raised above 30 cwt. without a licence. Restrictions are also applied to a group of fuels which includes all manufactured fuels and the medium sices of anthracite and dry steam coal. Not more than 1 ton of fuel in this group may be obtained during the two months, and the stock limit is 2 tons. The permitted quantities are maxima, not rations, and are subject to supplies being available. Coke continues to he free of restriction, and should he used to the' maximum possible extent to conserve coal stocks. Where a consumer cannot obtain coke from his registered merchant, the Local Fuel Overseer will, on application, allow separate registration with a coke producer. MINISTRY OF FUEL & POWER 25.1 0.43 ~ No. 34. NOT FOR PUBLICATION, BROADCAST IN OVERSEAS BULLETINS OR USE ON CLUB TAPES BEFORE 2330 B.S.T ON OCTOBER 26,1943 NOT TO BE BROADCAST IN THE MIDNIGHT WAS OF OCTOBER 28/29 THIS EMBARGO SHOULD BE RESPECTED OVERSEAS BY PREFACING ANY MESSAGES filed with the embargo TRADING WITH THE ENEMY ADDITIONS TO "BLACK LIST" The Board of Trade announce that they have made a now Order which comes into force on 30th October, containing 233 additions to the "Black List" of traders abroad with "whom it is unlawful to have dealings of any kind. Copies of the Order - the Trading with the Enemy (Specified Persons) (Amendment) (No. 15) Order, 1943 (S.R. & 0, 1943 No. 1491) ~ will be available, price 3d through booksellers newsagents or or direct from H, M. Stationery Office, Kingsway, London.W. C, 2. on 30th October. 4- Persons owing moneys to, or holding or managing the property of specified persons are reminded that they are under statutory obligation to report particulars to the Custodians of Enemy Property. BOARD OF TRADE Note to Editors: Publication of the information marked with an asterisk would be 'helpful to interested readers and would save paper, labour and money. 28,10,43 - No, 36 Air Ministry News Service Air Ministry Bulletin No. 11913 WIRELESS OPERATOR COMMANDS FLIGHT Squadron-Leader A. Markland, D.F.M., is the first wireless- operator to be given the command of a'flight in a Bomber Squadron. Until fairly recently, only pilots were appointed to the command, of flights and squadrons. In a few squadrons, navigators have now been appointed f light-commander s, and one air gunner - Wing Commander A.E. Lowe, M.B.E,, D.F.C., - became a squadron-Commander. Squadron Leader Markland, who was born in Rochdale, bait whose home is now in Derby, was an assistant sales manager for a firm of drug manufacturers before he joined the R.A.F. four days before the outbreak of war. He began his operational tour as wireless-operator in a Whitley, his first flight being in the attack on Munich in September, 1940. He took part in some of the first attacks on Germany's industrial centres, and on Northern Italy, He was also wireless-operator in one of the Whitleys which, flying from Malta, dropped paratroops in Southern Italy early in 1941. After completing 34 operational flights as a sergeant, he was awarded the D.F.M, He was in the first 1,000 bomber attack on Cologne in May 1942, when he flew in a Halifax, So much ice formed on the bomber during the flight that control was lost, and he and the rest of the had crew to bale out over England. , In the days when Whitleys were still being used in our bomber attacks also trained on Germany, a wireless-operator was as a gunner, and Sergeant Markland - as he then was - did eight trips as a rear- He that his most uncomfortable in attack gunner, says flight was an on Stettin, When he had to sit for eleven hours 15 minutes in the rear turret of a Whitley. He has .duties new returned to operational after holding a position at Bomber Command headquarters. As a flight - commander he has already two taken part in four bombing attacks, of then on Hanover. 28.10.43. NO. 37 A ir Mini stry-No. 11917 Air Ministry Communique Mitchell of the Royal Air Force and the Royal Netherlands Navel Air Service and Whirlwind and Typhoon fighter bombers, escorted by fighters, bombed the docks at Cherbourg this afternoon. One bomber is missing. 26.10.43 - , No.38. Air Ministry News Service Air Ministry Bulletin No, 11918 CHERBOURG DOCKS BOMBED IN THREE WAVES Dock installations at Cherbourg were boMbed in three waves this afternoon by Mitchell medium-bombers and Whirlwind and Typhoon fighter bombers, ~ Spitfires and Typhoons acted as fighter escort. Despite heavy flak hits were seen among the harbour buildings. The Whirlwinds hit warehouses, and saw one very large explosion with clouds of smoke. The Typhoons* bombs fell on sheds alongside the docks. The Whirlwinds* squadron-leader, who has taken part in a number of attacks on shipping and harbours in recent months, said "we -put our bombs right in the target area, all within a 500 yards radius". Among the Mitchells was a squadron of the Royal Netherlands Naval Air Service, whose pilots secured hits on a power station and barracks. All our fighters and fighter-bombers returned safely. One medium-bomber is missing.