- 24/10/41 No. 3 Air Ministry No. 5405 AIR MINISTRY AND MINISTRY OF HOME SECURITY COMMUNIQUE Soon after dark last night a single enemy aircraft dropped a small number of bombs in North Scotland. Very slight damage was done and no casualties have been reported. Apart from this there is nothing to report. - 24/10/41 No, 6. SPECIAL DISTRIBUTION OF IMPORTED CANNED MEATS, CANNED BEANS IN SAUCE OR GRAVY AND CANNED PISH As already announced, a special distribution of imported canned meats, canned beans in sauce or and canned fish is being made by gravy, the Ministry of Pood through the usual trade channels. These supplies must not be sold to consumers (including institutions, residential establishments, catering establishments, canteens etc.,) until further notice. MINISTRY OF FOOD FOOD OF MINISTRY - 24/10/41 No, 7. Service Air Ministry Bulletin No. 5407. Air Ministry News TAIL SHOT OFF BY R.A.F. NIGHT FIGHTER A Cornier 17 bomber which was off the East recently destroyed Coast by a British; night fighter had its tail shot away the first by short burst of fire. The Cornier immediately went into a vertical dive and disappeared into cloud through which the British night fighter followed. It crashed into the sea. Only a few seconds elapsed from the Dornier skimming along the top of a layer of cloud to its destruction. As well as of the flew the time the pilot of the night fighter first saw the tail Breaking away, parts fuselage and wings off the German aircraft when it was attacked. In another recent successful night combat, the pilot and observer of a night fighter reported on landing that a Ju. 88 which they attacked seemed to explode amidships immediately they opened fire. "There was a terrific white flash," they said, "after which we could see as down to the the wings blazing they floated separately sea." were Two prisoners who, on another occasion, captured some miles apart by the police of two different counties, had baled out of the same blazing aircraft when it was set on fire by a British night fighter with a single short burst from its guns. Again pieces of the German aircraft were scattered in the air as it was cut to pieces by the night fighter's stream of bullets. 24/10/41 -No. 9. Air Ministry No. 5408. AIR MINISTRY COMMUNIQUE Overcoming bad weather last night, powerful forces of aircraft of Bomber Command attacked enemy ports and naval bases in North-West Germany. Attacks were also made on the docks at Brest, Cherbourg and Le Havre. Two of our aircraft are missing. FOR SUNDAY PAPERS 24.10.41 -No. 10 NOT FOR PUBLICATION OR USE ON CLUB TAPES BEFORE 00.30 B.S.T. ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1941. NOT TO BE CABLED ABROAD OR BROADCAST BEFORE 00.30 B.S.T. ON THAT DATE. 10 24.10.41 -No. THE FOLLOWING IS ISSUED BY NAVAL AFFAIRS FOR SUCH USE AS THE PRESS MAY WISH TO MAKE OF IT. ENTRY AND PROMOTION IN THE ROYAL NAVY The information in these notes is founded on various Admiralty Fleet Orders. Dartmouth Scholarships For Secondary School Boys Thefirst concerns the new scholarships which havebeen established at Dartmouth, to give an equal chance of entry toboys whose parents normally could not affordit.They are awarded on the result of a competitive examination. The candidate must be medically fit, and found suitable for naval service by an Interview Board. Every year thirty scholarships, for boys from Grant-aided Secondary Schools, i.e., ten each term, are available. Also to 10 up scholarships may be awarded each term toboys from other schools. At Dartmouth all cadets are on exactly the same footing, pocket money, pay and all. The first batch, (20 in all), started at the beginning of term a few days ago. The parents pay according to their means; if a boy's parents can't or afford to contribute at all towards his fees, upkeep, or uniform, keep him, in the holidays, provides for that. And one scholarship the scheme is available for the son of a Naval rating. How the "Y" Scheme Operates. Another of the new forms of entry into the Royal Navy is called "Y" scheme. It concerns men of 17 and whohave not yet beencalled up. This over, group can volunteerfor the Navy and that includes, theFleet Air Arm and as - - soon as they are wanted, which will not be before they reach 18, the Navy calls themup. Naturally a fair standard of education is expected and they are only eligibleif they are medically Grade I. Avolunteer must have either a School Certificate or one from his Head Master to say why he has not got one, preferably a good explanation. He can go straight from any school, or go on from school to a university after volunteering. Those who are at Universities, if they are subject to the National Services ArmedForces Acts, will be called upinthe ordinary way unlesstheir University Joint Recruiting Board says it is in the national interest for them to stay put. Of course, this would apply mostly to men specialising in certain kinds of work. But, while waiting to start their naval service, they must do some voluntary training. That is am important preliminary to a naval career, and one to which great value is attached. They will not get a uniform until they start their properNaval training, but neitherwill they be put to in travelling to and from the Naval any expense Centre. This "Y" Scheme thus, throws open the doors to Naval Service well in advance, andshouldappealparticularlytomen,whowishto,specialise. The "Y"Scheme gives them a chance to think things out beforestarting and to come out at the end technically well equipped to earn their living in peace time. It should be added that those who have already registered for compulsory service, are not eligible for the "Y" Scheme, with this important exception: they may, until they are 28, apply to become a pilot or observer in the Fleet Air Arm So much for entry into the Navy. /For Lower 2 For Lower Deck Men Finally, here is an outline of the provisions made for men still in the lower deck, who want to get commissions. In the first place, the rating does not ask to he recommended for a commission he is picked out by his Commanding - Officer who starts what is called a "White Paper" for him -a sort of docket in which every relevant fact is entered. After three months at sea, he has done nothing to ”blot his and providing copy book”, and his Commanding Officer still wants to recommend him, he will he sent to one of the preliminary Selection Boards. If he passes and has those - very important qualifications initiative and leadership -he. will he inter­ viewed hy the Admiralty Selection Board, and-if he satisifies them he will then he sent as a cadet rating to KING ALFRED, the Navy’s Graduation School for Hostilities Only officers. There are many ratings of the Dominion Navies serving with the R.N. and these ratings have just the same facilities for promotion and temporary commissioned rank. Assuming a rating has passed he is sent to KING ALFRED. New there comes alotofhardwork,abouttenweeksofit. Probablythefirstthinghewill notice, is that the Selection Scheme is based entirely on merit, and pays relatively little attention to other qualifications. At KING ALFRED large numbers of men are entering and passing out every week. In the words of the A.F.O. (which for the uninitiated is Admiralty Fleet Order) the course in H.M.S. KING ALFRED includes seamanship, signals, navigation and pilotage, and lectures on leadership, as well as instruction on the welfare and advancement of ratings. Not Ruled Out Too Harshly When he has got through the course, and the written tests, he comes before the Passing Out Board whose examination is entirely oral. If he should be failed by them, or before he gets there, he will he drafted to sea again. Actually, he is not ruled out, too harshly because even ifhis Commanding Officer decides to discontinue he his White Paper in the early stages, can, if he likes (and if the rating justifies it) start it again. And, in the same way, the Admiralty Selection Board can in exceptional cases recommend him for ahigherrating,ifhehasfailedtogetacommission. Ifhemakesareally brilliant showing, the Commanding Officer has discretion to bring him before up the Passing Out Board before he has done the full but that is rarely course, done, for a rating ought to do the full course to reap the most benefit. When he passes out, he becomes a Probationary Temporary Sub-Lieutenant, if over 21. If he is between 20 he has to insert the word R.N.V.R., and 21, - Acting after Temporary quite a resounding title. Ifhe is under 20 years of age, he is a Probationary Temporary Midshipman, R.N.V.R., and will be sent for more training, probably in small craft. If he is heading for the Fleet Air Arm, he will be sent to H.M.S. SAINT VINCENT, after a pretty severe medical test. Expense Is Not a Real Obstacle for a Commanding Officer for a commission to hold back on the grounds of expense. There is rarely any good reason rating who is recommended by his Evenwhenayoung manhasjuststartedmarriedlifeandmayhaveachildto support as well as wife, and it looks almost impossible, it is worth remembering that even ashore are much things the same for everyone these days; and also that the Marriage Allowance has recently been increased. Also, there is the mis- a takenideathatonceamangets commissionhehastoliveuptoanaltogether too expensive standard. Apart from the strict limitations of mess bills accord-to his rank, people in general are not such fools as to imagine that a gold indicates wealth. Moreover, the Navy has an extremely vigilant welfare service available to every officer and man. With very few exceptions, the man who has an opportunity of advancement in the Service of the Royal Navy and does not seize it,is doing both his countryand himself a great disservice NAVAL AFFAIRS No. - 22.10.41 13 MIDDLE EAST WAR COMMUNIQUE The following official communique has "been issued today from G.H.Q., Cairo;­ Libya: Apart from some light enemy shelling of the harbour at TOBRUK which caused no damage the situation throughout yesterday was quiet. Enemy air activity was also on a reduced scale. Patrolling activities were continued in the frontier area though no contact with the enemy was made. WAR OFFICE - 24/10/41 No. 16 EXPERT SPOTTER L/Sgt. Eric Palmer is an expert. He has never been up in a plane; nor is he a member of a searchlight or A.A. gun crew. This lanky, bespectacled man is an important cog in the vast scheme of A.A. defences. He is an aircraft recognition expert. He can tell you the name and type of any plane that flies over these shores. And he does this skilful, important job easily and speedily. Speed is the essence of this work. And the decision is a life-or-death one. "There is no time,” he says, “when aircraft come over to look up silhouettes or diagrams. In an A.A. gun station a plane is in range for a few seconds only, and you daren’t waste time in trying to find out what it is. You must know each plane as well as you know the palm of your hand or the make of a motor car. A man’s life depends upon accurate recognition,” he stresses. He a search- Gunner Jones agrees wholeheartedly. is a machine-gunner on light site. One afternoon recently he was on duty in the gun pit when he of heard the heavy droning a bomber. The plane was making straight for the site. There were cries of: "It's a Jerry. Have a smack at him,” from his fellow-gunners. It was. Bill Jones decided, and made to squeeze the trigger. His Detachment Commander ordered him to stop. “Do you want to bring one of our own planes down? Can’t you see that it’s a Hampden?" The Detachment Commander was right. It was fortunate that he had attendedEric Palmer’s classes. During the Battle of Britain, Eric and his comrades at Battery Headquarters were taking shelter in the trenches. Overhead a fierce fight was in progress. Two planes detached themselves. "Look at those Hurricanes waiting for a chance to break in," was the general comment. Attention then went bade to the main battle. But Eric continued to watch the two planes. As they came nearer, he went up to the machine-gunner, and calmly said to him; "Get ready to let fly at the second plane. It’s an Me. 109 chasing a Hurricane that’s out of ammo." The machine-gunner hesitated, then fired as the planes came sweeping by. The second machine was hit, and was brought down. Eric Palmer was right. Recently, this former insurance office clerk, who pored all day over figures, attended a special Aircraft Recognition course. He obtained a "D" (Distinction), the only student to do so; and the congratulations of his Divisional Commander. WAR OFFICE 24.10.41 -No.17 NOT FOR PUBLICATION, BROADCAST, OR USE ON CLUB TAPES BEFORE 11.15 B.S.T. TONIGHT. THIS EMBARGO SHOULD BE RESPECTED OVERSEAS BY PREFACING ANY MESSAGES PILED WITH THE EMBARGO. POLISH FOREIGN MINISTER TALKS TO V ARMY Following is Colonel Britton's 21st weekly talk, to be given tonight: This is Colonel Britton speaking to the V army. Beside me is the Polish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Count Raczynski. And he*'s come here, at my invitation, to talk to you about one section of the V Army1 front against the Nazis the Polish front. s­ It’s a wonderful story of indomitable courage against the most brutal regime that the world, has seen. People of another age will find it difficult to believe, or even to understand, that human beings could behave with such fiendish cruelty to other human beings as the Nazis are behaving towards their victims. - But you, the people of Europe you Czechs, you Frenchmen, you - Norwegians, you Greeks and Jugoslavs, all of you who arc listening at your radio sets now, know only too well that these things arc true. Well here is the Polish Foreign Minister to speak to you: now, COUNT RACZYNSKI It so happens that I am speaking two days in advance of the Second Anniversary of the blood rule of Hitler's personel representative in Poland, Governor General Prank, Two years he has worked with the help of the Gestapo and the S.S. to break the spirit of a proud nation. The wrongs inflicted are staggering, the material damage caused to our institutions, our economic life, to our people and above all to our youth is incalculable. Yet the determination of the poles not to surrender to the invader has not relaxed for one single instant. It is a fact now accepted in the world as a matter of course that the Germans were unable to find a single Pole ready to cooperate with them. Yet for this very reason a ruinous price is daily paid in the pure blood of the best sons of Poland, The Second Anniversary of Governor Frank's rule is being celebrated in advance by the Germans by cynical pesters which they arc exhibiting in Polish cities inviting the Polish people to collaborate with them. During the first night the posters were out unseen hands wrote across the posters in large letters; "The Dead will bring their congratulations”, and signed "The 82,000”, which is the number of Polish men, women and. children murdered by the Gestapo during the two years of occupation. /German 2 German terror is on the increase again. Last month twenty-nine persons were executed in Warsaw, thirty-seven in Kracow, one hundred and twenty seven in the concentration camp an Oswiecin, and so on in all Polish cities, towns and villages. The fight goes on. Plants important to the German war effort are lines wrecked, railway are interrupted. For one bridge near Bialystok destroyed by the Polish action, fifteen innocent people arrested at random were shot. Their dead bodies were exhibited in the principal square of Bialystok, to frighten the people into submission. The Poles in Poland know every detail of the war which the Polish navy, army and air force is carrying on for the freedom of Poland, They are waiting in Poland, as inthe rest of subjected Europe, for the day when the dead will he avenged and the living rescued. Thank sir. you I'd like to add something to what Count Raczynski has told you. He said: "The fight goes on". That’s what London says. And what Moscow says. These words are being echoed by all of you. And in Berlin a frightened officer is talcing the latest messages to Hitler from Warsaw and from Paris and from Prague and from Oslo and Brussels and Amsterdam and from Athens and from Belgrade. - The messages all say the same thing "production is falling". "The workers won’t work; the only way to get work out of them is to conscript them, and the conscripted workers are almost useless." "They won't collaborate", "they continue to fight, what are we to do ?". And Hitler mutters; "They continue to fight. What are we to do ?". can Well, we shall continue to fight and there is nothing that Hitler do, that will stop us. The plan is being carried out stage by stage, by you behind the German lines, and by us who will one day break through those lines. As the Polish Foreign Minister said: "The fight goes on..........." Good luck to the V Army. BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION - 24/10/41 No. 18 NO ADDITIONAL TRANSPORT FOR TATE CINEMAS The question of hoursof closing of cinemas was discussed at a recent meeting between Parliamentary Secretaries of the Ministries of Heme on Security and War Transport the Cinematograph Exhibitors Association. In accordance with the Governments policy of providing all reasonable means of relaxation it was decided that as few restrictions as possible should be imposed on the closing hours of cinemas. It was made clear to the Association that it would not be possible to provide any additional transport facilities for late visitors to cinemas and the Association accepted that such facilities could not be expected in present circumstances. Similar considerations apply to late theatre performances. MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT - 24/10/41 No. 20 PORTUGUESE ARMY OFFICERS VISIT GREAT BRITAIN Six Portuguese artillery officers are now in Great Britain in order to study the training of the British Amy and to visit British war factories. They will see the Royal Arsenal Woolwich be at attached, and for several days in each to A.A. Batteries and to an A.A. Corps case, School. They will get technical experience of the 3.7 guns and operational training in its handling. WAR OFFICE - 24/10/41 No. 21 NOT FOR PUBLICATION, BROADCAST, OR USE ON CLUB TAPES BEFORE 00.30 B.S.T. ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25 THIS EMBARGO SHOULD BE RESPECTED OVERSEAS BY PREFACING ANY MESSAGES PILED WITH THE EMBARGO. MINISTER TO MEXICO The King has been graciously pleased to approve the appointment of Mr. Charles Harold Bateman, C.M.G., M. a Counsellor in the C., and Minister Plenipotentiary on the resumption of diplomatic relations Foreign Office, to he His Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary in Mexico with that country. FOREIGN OFFICE NEWS DEPARMENT - 24.10.41 No.22 TRANSFER OF PRISONERS OF WAR FROM OFLAGS VII.C. & D. Some in connection with the anxiety has been expressed, recenttransfer of prisoners of war from Oflags VII.C. and VII.D. to Oflag VI.B., as regards the transfer of the prisoners' personal property. An official source states that, as far as is known, prisoners of war in Germany transferred from one to another have always camp been allowed to take their personal property with them. In one case, in fact, when British prisoners were transferred to Oflag IX.A/H from Port 15 at Stalag XX.A., they were permitted to Bring with them a grandpiano that they had purchased there. Though the forwarding of letters and parcels when prisoners are transferred has usually caused some delay in their final delivery to the addressees, it is understood that arrangements have "been made to carry out the forwarding with a minimum of delay. The International Ned Cross Committee have been asked by telegram to send parcels to the new camp, but the prisoners at Oflags VII.C. and D. are known to have had large reserves of Ned Cross and personal parcels among their possessions; consequently they unlikely to suffer from are lack of them, even though there may be some delay in forwarding of parcels that arrive after their transfer. WAN OFFICE 24/10/41 -No. 24 REVISED PRICES FOR IMPORTED EGOS AND COOKING EGGS The Ministry of Food announces that an Order has boon made reducing to each the price of imported eggs, except Eire eggs, sold Ty retailers to registered consumers. The new price applies to all such imported eggs regardless of weight. Arrangements have also been made by the Ministry to issue further supplies of cooking eggs at a price of 2d each. The above price changes come into force on Monday, October 27th, 1941« Prices of other ©lassos of eggs remain unchanged. The public are reminded that it is an offenco to pay more for ary egg than the price specified in the Order which in no case exceeds 2 1/2d per egg. MINISTRY OF FOOD 24/10/41 No. 27 - Air Ministry No. 5410 MIDDLE EAST COMMUNIQUE H.Q., R.A.F. Middle East Friday The docks and shipping at Benghazi were raided by heavy bombers of the Royal Air Force during the successive nights of October 21st/22nd and October 22nd/23rd. the Central and Cathedral moles, Bombs fell on and fires broke out. The landing ground at Gasr El Aryid in the frontier zone ms raided by medium bombers during October 22nd and again during the night of October 22nd/23rd. In the daylight attack large fires were caused among store dumps. During this raid there were several combats between our fighters and the enemy, and one Messerschmitt 109 was destroyed. In the course of the night raid fires which were visible many from the target broke out. miles Naval aircraft dropped high explosive and incendiary bombs among motor transport Port Capuzzo; a number of vehicles wore destroyed and many near others wore damged. Yesterday our fighter aircraft encountered a number of Messerschmitt 109's and shot down three of them. A fourth was damaged. Bomber aircraft of the South African Air Force raided Derna aerodrome where bombs wore seen to burst among dispersed enemy aircraft. The chemical works at Cotrone in Southern Italy were also attacked. In Abyssinia enemy positions south of Gondar were bombed on October 22nd. From these and other operations four of our aircraft are missing but two of the pilots are safe. - 24/10/41 No. 30 Air Ministry No. 5413 AIR MINISTRY COMMUNIQUE In a sweep over Northern Prance this afternoon our fighters destroyed seven enemy fighters without loss to themselves. One of our fighters is missing from an offensive patrol later in the day. During last night's raids on North-West Germany one of our "bombers destroyed an enemy fighter. 24.10.41. No. 31. - Mr Ministry News Service Air Ministry Bulletin No.5412 WHITLEY CAPTAIN'S COOLNESS A few days ago the story was told of a Wellington bomber, which flew the 600 miles home from Bavaria on one engine. New almost the same feat has been performed by a Whitley bomber, the starboard engine of which was disabled during last night 's attack on ports, in North-West Germany at a distance of nearly 500 miles from base. The 21 year old pilot, who was making his second operational flight as captain, nursed the Whitley back across the North Sea, all the while gradually losing height. At one time the crew feared they would have to take to the dinghy. The remaining engine, however, stood up to the strain and it was not until the aircraft was station that it all but met with disaster. circling above its home The useless engine firs. suddenly caught The wireless sent out a signal for the fire tender, and with operator l Mrable coolness the young captain switched on the extinguishers, landed his aircraft with the engine still blazing, and swung it off the run-way out of the path of other returning bombers. The crew tumbled out unharmed, the fire tender was quickly on the spot, and the Whitley was saved. — 21.10.41 No. 32 OFFICIAL ADMIRALTY COMMUNIQUE An Italian armed merchant cruiser of the CITTA DI GENOVA class has been torpedoed "by one of our submarines in the Central Mediterranean. After being hit by torpedo the armed merchant cruiser stopped and it was seen that a large hole had been clown in her side. It is probable that she sank. ADMIRALTY 24.10.41 -No.34 PRESS NOTICE H.M.S. is the second of the ex-American destroyers to be sunk in Allied service. The first the ship ms the destroyer BATH, manned by Royal Norwegian Navy. H.M.S. BROADWATER, before transfer to the Royal Navy, was the U.S.S. MASON. She was built by the Bethlehem ship­building Corporation of Quincy, near Boston, Massachusetts. ADMIRALTY - 24.10.41. No.35 Air Ministry Nows Service Air Ministry Bulletin No.5414 POLES DESTROY SEVEN GERMAN FIGHTERS In a ten minutes dog fight above the clouds over Franco this afternoon, an All-Polish Spitfire wing destroyed seven German fighters. One of our fighters was damaged, hut the pilot,though wounded, brought it safely home. a but for It was battle witnessed by no one those taking part, the cloud blanket below was complete. the French people on ground the only visible evidence To the of the fight they could hear raging above was the procession of smoking German fighters breaking cloud and plunging to earth. Both forces were evenly matched in numbers but the Germans had the advantage of height and dived down on the Polish wing as it flew from the Channel. One after another at the rate of nearly one a minute the German fighters went down in flames or shot to pieces. Not a Pole followed them. "We beat them up so thoroughly because our machines were better than theirs,” said one leaders. of the Polish squadron "They dived from a it is but that saved us on us height, true, the trouble of going to look for them”. Earlier in the day two Czech sergeant pilots attacked and drove off in a crippled condition a Junkers 88 bomber which approached the East Coast. The Czechs intercepted the bomber some 35 miles off the coast, but after making an initial attack their quarry found cover in cloud. One of the Czechs followed the bomber through the cloud, and, sighting it again at only 100 yards range, fired a long burst, Pieces of the Junkers flew off and the port engine began smoking. The fighter was hit in a wing by the return fire of tho bomber but it got home without mishap. The other Czech then contacted the bomber and attacked, firing heavy bursts as he closed from 500 to within 100 yards of the enemy. After that the bomber was lost in cloud and was not seen again.