7/10/43 - No, 1 Headquarters, ETOUSA 1755 ESCAPED PRISONER IS APPREHENDED One of the three U.S. army soldiers who escaped from an Army guardhouse on October 1 has been apprehended* He has been returned to the guardhouse at the U.S. Army Replacement Depot from which he escaped, it was announced by Headquarters last night. 7.l0.43 • No. 4 AIR MINISTRY and MINISTRY OF HOME SECURITY COMMUNIQUE Air Ministry No. 11713 Last night a small number of enemy aircraft dropped bombs at scattered points in South Last England and East Anglia. Slight damage; and a small number cf casualties have been reported. 7.10.43 - No. 3 NOT FOR PUBLICATION, BROADCAST OR USE ON CLUB TAPES BEFORE 0830 B.S.T. ON THURSDAY OCTOBER 7, 1943 THIS EMBARGO SHOULD BE RESPECTED OVERSEAS BY PREFACING ANY MESSAGE WITH THIS EMBARGO Air Ministry News Service Air Ministry Bulletin No. 11708 CANADIAN PILOT HUMMED 1,000 FEET IN AIR while on intruder patrol recently, a Canadian pilot was hurled in. his Mosquito about 1,000 feet skywards. This followed his attack on an enemy aircraft which blew up right in front of him. Smoke poured into and - debris flew the Mosquito's cockpit from the exploding German aircraft in all directions. The pilot of the Mosquito, S/Ldr. Charles Cecil Moran, 29-year-old former schoolmaster of Trenton, Ontario, had great difficulty afterwards in controlling his own aircraft owing to damage by the debris and was forced to bale out over the English Channel on the way home. He was picked up shortly afterwards by an Air/Sea Rescue launch end brought ashore, suffering no ill effects. "We saw the enemy aircraft flying over an airfield," said S/Ldr. Moran afterwards, "and hit him first shot, so that he blew up right in front of us. He was so close that. I had to take evasive action as I rushed through the flying • debris. At the same time my aircraft was blown 1,000 feet upwards by the explosion. My Mosquito, besides filling 'with smoke from the Hun, seemed to be on fire itself. "The Mosquito kept an even keel, but it described circles as it Something- went forward. had happened to the rudder, and the ailerons were in bad shape too. By my observer's skilful navigation, i was able to get the aircraft away from enemy territory but the port-engine cut over the Channel. There was a shower of sparks, until it burst into flames and we then decided to bale out." S/Ldr. Moran has now destroyed three enemy aircraft and shared in a fourth. It was his second parachute jump. The first was in Malta, when, during a special course, his aircraft was involved in a mid-air collision. He had to bale out from 500 feet. Ills parachute opened just before he landed, but he was after-wards three months in hospital with the internal injuries he received. 7/10/43 - No. 6 NOT FOR PUBLICATION BROADCAST, ON USE ON CLUB TAPES BEFORE 08, 30 HOURS THURDAY, 7th OCTOBER 1943. this embargo should be inspected overseas by prefacing- ANY MESSAGE WITH THIS EMBARGO Air Ministry News Service Air Ministry Bulletin No. 11709 FLYING "MOUNTIE IS NOW A U-BOAT HUNTER One of the first men to be attached to the Royal Canadian Mounted police (Mr Division) S/Ldr. Patrick James Grant, of Assiniboia, Saskatchewan, and Saulte St. Marie, is now serving as the flight commander of a Royal Canadian Air Force Sunderland Squadron which recently completed its first year of operations with Coastal Command hunting enemy U-boats and protecting shipping. S/Lder As a flying policeman,/Grant helped to keep aerial watch over thousands of miles of Canada’s eastern coastline# This is his second of duty with the R.C.A.F. spoil He first joined for a. three-year tour in 1929 in a ground job after an unsuccessful attempt to enlist as aircrew* He still maintained his enthusiasm for flying, however, spending his off-duty Hours haunting local aero clubs and his limited pocket money on flying lessons. His big chance arrived later when he become a "bush pilot", delivering supplies and nail to the remote backwoods of Canada* When the Royal Canadian Haunted Police, co-operating with the R.C.A.F. formed the Dominion's first Air police of Force, one the first recruits was S/Ldr. Grant, After a seven month’s course, he was covering his "beat", rounding up rum-runners along the bank of Newfoundland to the coast of Maine * In 1937, when the force was separated from the R.C.A.F., S/Ldr. Grant became chief engineer and pilot t ’’Hunting rum-runners," he says, "was just as exciting as chasing U-boats, for having spotted a supply boat lying off shore we used to try and locate the rocky creek or inlet where the stuff was to be landed. After touching down at cur nearest post we would sometimes travel a hundred miles over nothing better than cart tracks to await our quarry. Just as in the U-boat war, each side was constantly changing its tactics, and it was a battle of wits to the end. Today, those some fishermen, who were previously rum-runners, are in the Canadian Navy, co-operating with the R,C.A.F." After serving as an instructor and supervisor, S/Ldr. Grant had his ambition when he was posted to a Coastal Comand squadron in Stranraers and Catalinas hunting Japanese submarines from Vancouver Island to the Alaskan coast. Today, from a base a Northern Ireland, he flies far out over the Atlantic in the hunt for U-boats - an ocean which he first crossed in a two-way flight to Britain as the second pilot of a Liberator, three years ago# Although he has not yet hail a "kill”, his crew are hopeful# There’s a saying that a ’’mountie ’ "'always gets his man. 7/10/43 - No. 10 NOT FOR PUBLICATION, BROADCAST, OR USE ON CLUB TAPES BEFORE 08.30 B.S.T. (i.e. FOR EVENING PAPERS) ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1943 THIS EMBARGO SHOULD BE RESPECTED OVERSEAS BY PREFACING ANY MESSAGES FILED WITH THE EMBARGO WELFARE SERVICES WITH IN H.M. (FORCES) OVERSEAS 'In step with the Army' well describes the hundreds of and*women working men today for the welfare of H.M.Forces overseas. From Baghdad to Tunis and from Iceland to India, areas newly occupied by our Armies are quickly covered by a network of Mobile Cinemas and Libraries and Welfare Centres manned by members of the Y.M.C.A., the Salvation Army, and other Toe H, organizations comprising the Council of Voluntary War Work, In North Africa, they followed the Eighth Army from Egypt to Tunis. Dodging enemy shell fire Tripoli, a Tea Car 'opened shop' in a wadi immediately to the in rear of our forward troops, where customers ranged from staff officers to drivers of field ambulances. In Test Africa, a former opera singer at Covent Garden, Mr, William Berry of Huddersfield, servos tea in the jungle to British and African troops working in the clearings and to aided swamps keep open supply lines. He is by native boys with tea their who known the the 'Tea urns on heads, are to troops as Cars on Legs', The work of the men and women on the Mobile Canteens, Libraries and Cinemas is often arduous, but it never lacks variety, Mr, J.T. Kerrigan of Birkenhead was a member of a party of 13 women and 7 men who left England last May for North Africa, Today he is the head of the Y.M.C.A. units established in Sicily immediately after the occupation of the island. No less varied is the work being carried on in the static Welfare Centres which have been set up in the main towns and cities occupied by our troops, buildings are taken over and, in the larger camps, huts- and marquees are erected. Welfare Centres recreation aim at providing comfort, a cheerful atmosphere and for the troops overseas, They consist of reading and writing rooms, information bureaux:, libraries and canteens. Some provide 'bed and full board for servicemen leave on or for troops passing through the district. In Tunis as many as 4 ,000 men have been catered for daily at one centre alone. To cultivate the club atmosphere, discussion groups have been formed and, for those who want to the learn language, French classes are arranged. In welfare aided Iraqui staff of four, caters for troops Iraq, a worker, by an leave from the West set beneath palm trees, on desert. In Africa, a holiday camp, at has swimming pool a and accommodation for 25 men at a time for a week’s leave a very slight cost. Today, the voluntary organizations carry out their duties over three continents Persia in Iceland, India, Algeria and Tunisia, in Egypt, Syria, Palestine, in Iraq, and British Test Africa- - so that wherever the- serviceman may he, he will find from of tea to for someone ready to provide for his needs, a cup a sympathetic ear personal problems. MILITARY AFFAIRS 7/10/43 - No. 11 NOT FOR PUBLICATION, BROADCAST, OR USE ON CLUB TAPES BEFORE 08.30 HOURS ON THURSDAY, 7TH OCTOBER, (i.e. FOR EVENING PAPERS) THIS EMBARGO SHOULD BE RESPECTED OVERSEAS BY PREFACING ANY MESSAGE WITH THIS EMBARGO. Air Ministry News Service Air Ministry Bulletin No. 11/17 FREE FRENCHMAN LEADS SPITFIRE WING has been appointed to lead a Spitfire Thing A Free French commandant in the frequently engaged group of Fighter Command. most He is the first Frenchman to hold such a post, although there are already wings led by other Allied pilots.. The commandant has himself destroyed five and damaged several more enemy aircraft. • Accompanying a-recent raid by U.S.A.A.F. Marauders on Beauvais airfield in hisown country, he and two other French pilots of his old squadron destroyed a F.W. 190 apiece. Now he has under his command N ew Zealand as veil as French pilots* 7.10.43. no 12. PRESS NOTICE HAILS LOST BY ENEMY ACTION The postmaster General regrets to announce that the undermentioned SURFACE mails for the United Kingdom have been lost by enemy action:- Approximate dates cf Letters from: posting Cyprus 18 May - 10 June Egypt 21 May - 13' June palestine 20 May - 11 June Saudi Arabia 13 May - 5 June Sudan (Anglo-Egyptian) 18 May - 6 June Syria 11 May. - 3 June Parcels from:- Egypt 18 April - 13 June Palestine 18 April - 11 June GENERAL POST OFFICE 7.10.43 - No. 13 ENEMY SHIPPING SUNK IN MEDITERRANEAN OFFICIAL ADMIRALTY COMMUNIQUE H.M. submarines, continuing their offensive against German and German-controlled shipping in the Mediterranean, have sunk a. total of six ships and damaged two others. Of these, an ammunition-ship of medium size was destroyed by torpedo in the Gulf of Genoa,. In the same are at, a small supply-ship carrying troops -was sunk and a medium- sized supply-ship 'wasdamaged by torpedo. One of H.M, submarines operating off the Northern coast of Corsica torpedoed two supply-ships of medium size, which were proceeding under escort. One of the vessels broke in two and sank and the other 'was left damaged. Attacks were also made on a naval auxiliary vessel, which sank off the island of Elba., andauxiliary petrol-carrier, which was on an destroyed in the Adriatic, north of Bari. A small supply-ship was sunk off Toulon. In addition to these successful actions, another of H.M, submarines bombarded important iron works at Stratoni, on the coast of the Northern Aegean. Hits were scored, in the factory and a pier was severely damaged. Submarines which carried out these successful attacks were under the command of;- Lt. E.J.D. TURNER, D.S.0., D.S.C., R.N. Lt. W.H. KETT, D.S.C,, -R.N.R. Lt. A.D. PIPER, D.S.C., R.N.R. Lt. L.E. HERRICK, D.S.C., R.N. Lt. M.L.C. CRAWFORD, D.S.C., R.N. ADMIRALTY 7.10.43. No.14 Air Ministry News Service Air Ministry bulletin No 11715 R oyal Air force appointment The following appointment has been made: Acting Air Vice-Marshal Alfred Conrad Collier, C.B. , C.B.E., to be Deputy Air officer Commanding-in-Chief Transport Command. Note on career Air Vice Marshal Collier has been air officer in charge of administra R.A.F, tion, A.H.Q. India since 1942. Previously he. was head of the Section of the British Military Mission to the U.S.S.R, Earlier he was Director Intelligence (Security) after having been Director of Allied of Air co'-alteration, Born at Randwick N.S.W. in 1895 he was educated at Sherborne• Commissioned in the Royal Lancashire Regiment in 1914 he transferred to the R.F.C. in the fol owing year and saw service in France. He was a prisoner of war for three years and after his repatriation he went in 1919 with the R.A.F. to North Russia, He was seconded to the Estonian Government in 1920 and after holding command of N0,12, Squadron he became in 1934 air attache, in Moscow. He is a graduate of the R.A.F. staff college and his qualifications include 1st class interpreter in Russian and German. the C.B.E. C.M. He was awarded in 1941 and in 1943. Note: A photograph of Vice, Marshal A.C., Collier is available .at B. I.P.P.A. 7/10/43 - No. 15 MIDDLE EAST JOINT WAR COMMUNIQUE COS: Although and the town the German forces have captured landing grounds of Cos, resistance by the British troops on the island continues. During the night of October 5/6 R.A.F, heavy bombers attacked the airfield at Maritza, Rhodes, Direct hits were scored on hangars and violent explosions were followed by fires. Bursts were observed in the northern aircraft dispersal area and on the eastern part of the airfield. An enemy encampment near Kattavia, Rhodes, was machine gunned. Other bombers attacked the harbour at gyros, hits on the jetty being observed. On the same night the airfield at Kastelli Pediada, Crete, was bombed. From these and other operations none of our aircraft are missing. WAR OFFICE 7,10,43 - No, 16 INDIA JOINT WAR COMMUNIQUE No. 239 The following Joint War Communique from India was received in London today both last night and the night before R.A.F, bombers attacked railway. installations at PROME, In the first raid Liberators scored hits on the station buildings and engine sheds and started .a large fire near the jetty. In last night’s raid by Wellingtons bursts were seen across the railway yards and many fires were left burning. Other Wellingtons last night again bombed TAUNGUP with good results* Yesterday morning (October 6) Vengeances dive-bombed Japanese occupied buildings at KYAUKTAW on the KALADAN river scoring direct hits and setting at least one building on fire chile to the south-east Hurricanes heavily machine-gunned enemy occupied villages on the MAYU peninsula and also damaged a number of sampans. Beaufighters continued their attacks on enemy communications near THAZI junction and along the lower IRAWADDY, heavily damaging five locomotives, motor transport, rivercraft and various other targets None of our aircraft is missing* WAR OFFICE 7.10.43 - No. 19 ITALY From BASIL GINGELL, Representing the Combined British press With Fifth Army, Oct, 5 Demolitions of every conceivable kind that block roads and mines laid along the that necessitate the utmost caution verges are the -principal deterrents in the Fifth Army’s advance towards Velturno. At first light movement is usually easy and advances up to a thousand yards are made without contacting the enemy. Then there is a certain amount of opposition from rearguards left in awkward pockets and instructed to fight to the death, When this been mastered another thousand yards is has traversed and by nightfall stiffish opposition by the enemy is encountered. The country is thickly wooded, planted mostly with orchards and without many satisfactory observation posts. Villages nestle close together and every dry more and of these freed from German more are occupation, our forces arriving so fast on the tails of some of rearguard elements that signs of recently completed meals the arc about, while military directions still remain on the walls. Among a. group of prisoners taken yesterday was a squad from a machine-gun post ■who said that they had been instructed to fight until the death. This, they declared, was the instruction given to men left behind to cover the retreat. Another prisoner in yesterday’s bag was a youngster who said that he was sixteen, but he looked more like fourteen. On his identity card his occupation was given as schoolboy. An increasing number of airfields are coming into our possession as the Germans retreat, all of which have aircraft on them, in some eases the numbers running into hundreds, At the main airport of Naples a colossal number of enemy machines lay burned out on the ground, -while with the capture of the airfield between Acarra and pomigliano over a hundred planes were found. The latter aerodrome has a concrete runway, over two miles in length and would not be affected by heavy rain which makes some of the others unserviceable during winter. It is on such targets as these that one secs the effectiveness of Allied bombing and shelling* On the outskirts of Naples where the city’s electricity works, oil storage tanks and gas works arc situated this precision bombing same evidenced, is for at the gas works which is wrecked completely fires were still burning today. What bombing had not accomplished the Germans finished in the ease of factory a two or three miles north of Naples where Fockewulfe aero engines were manufactured. The plant and machinery together -with uncompleted engine pants were smashed and battered, while the adjoining establishment for the construction of torpedoes had beer- similarly dealt "with, the The German withdrawal towards Volturno chiefly in the direction of/Capua area* is between the river and our present positions there is a fairly wide canal, but once this is crossed the woodlands that extend north of Naples give way to open country the maximum and present indications are that the Germans are seeking to bring about delay this side of the canal and then make a bolt for Volturno. few German tanks operating and there certain amount of Yesterday were was a a mortar fire and some anti-tank guns, but it is upon the demolitions that the Germans arc relying for delaying tactics, I by saw one road block which had been caused the road* supports of an overhead railway bridge so that it fell across blowing the a mine. A British tank negotiated this obstacle but the following vehicle hit of mines Inspection of this section of the road then revealed that there was a row the tine the road block had "Which the leading tank had gone over in safety. By the mine ready for-action again. been cleared, however, the tank which had hit was third successive day not plane, reconnaissance, fighter or For the a German ■bomber was seen over the battle area. MTNISTRY OF INFORMATION 7,10.43 - No, 20 NORTH AFRICA COMMUNIQUE No. 329 Allied Force Command Post Communique, October 7 NAVAL: There has been considerable naval activity on the right flank of the 8th Army on the Adriatic coast of Italy on October 6. Two British destroyers bombarded the railway and military targets north-west of Termoli to dislocate enemy attacks in that area,. ARMY: The 5th Army has made further progress and arc working forward to the line of the river Voltunno. The 8th Army positions in the Termoli area have "been further reinforced and an enemy attack along the coastal road made- by infantry and tanks was repulsed* AIR: Heavy bombers of the North-Jest African Air Forces attacked Mestre Venice yesterday hitting marshalling yards, near warehouses and engine shops. Medium bombers attacked highways over passes and road junctions at Mignano Formia and Isernia, while fighters and fighter-bombers attacked motor transport in the battle area. During these and other operations six enemy aircraft were destroyed. Three of our aircraft arc missing* 7/10/43 - No, 21 ITALY By Frank Gillard Representing Combined British Press And Radio With Fifth Army October 6 The Germans have excelled themselves in obstructions of recent days. One of our advancing columns alone reported, seven blown bridges in 24 hours, one 80 feet long. In the same period another British column had to deal with 24 major demolitions, MINISTRY OF INFORMATION ISSUED IN CONNECTION WITH ~ PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION 3 P. M. TODAY AĎDRESSED BY THE HOME SECRETARY 7.10.43 - No, 22 FOR THE INFORMATION OF THE PRESS WAR WORK IN PRISONS AND BORSTAL INSTITUTIONS General Industries From the beginning of the war prison workshops have made an increasing contribu- tion to the war-effort by the production of a wide range of articles both for the Fighting Services and for other Government Departments. Many workshops re-organised and equipped with modem power plants, have been and last year special arrangements were made to work longer hours in all the more important shops. Subsequently, the working day was increased in all prisons by one hour. During the four years ended last March a range of 160 articles with an output of some 7,000,000 units has been undertaken for the Fighting Services. The value of this output, excluding labour costs which are net charged, was some £920,000. For other Government Departments a range of 240 articles has been undertaken with an output of 9,000,000 units to the value of some £940,000; a total of nearly £2,000,000. The items made have included: - Projectile Bags Torpedo Boxes Uniform and Clothing Ships Penders Dining Forms Canvas Jackets and Trousers Clogs Tables Dungarees Brooms, Brushes Tool Boxes Bedding Baskets Kit Bags Headdress Bags Housewives Hammocks Coal Sacks Printed Books Petrol Gan Carriers and Forms for Pokers, Rakes, Tongs Yd D. and S. 0. Telephone Main Distribu- tion Frame Telephone Apparatus Racks Tin Bottles, Oil Tin Bottles, Dope The above do not include the normal production of clothing, furniture and other stores for use, the output of which was some 1,500,000 articles. Salvage Much attention has been devoted to the salvage and reclamation of Government stores. This type of work has been sought as it is usually simple and easily learned a necessity for short-sentence prisoners end is often capable of being done in cells as a change from sewing canvas# Many hundreds of tons of discarded equipment have been handled for the Ministry of Supply Disposal Boards, producing such things as: Brass from various types of equipment Tungsten from Telephone Earpieces Lead shot ( Prom Towing Targets Steel ) . wire Rubber from Goloshes, etc* Silk Cord and Cloth from parachutes Mittens from Old Hose-Pipe Zip Fasteners from Airmen' s ha mass Sorting of Duttons Cloth for Shoddy and Paper Making Sacks from. Old Tents /Reclamation WAR WPRK IN PRISONS) 2 - Acclamation and relabelling of Envelopes for the G. P, 0. have put approximately 2,500,000 back into use. Many tons of string have also been sorted and bundled for re-issue. Farms and Gardens It was decided that every effort must be made to assist the food production of the country by increasing and intensifying the output of the farms and gardens in Borstal meant reducing the value of the vocational prisons and Institutions, even if this training in Borstal Institutions. Mechanised methods were introduced where practicable and some 5,000 acres are now under cultivation. In addition to providing some 90% the vegetables required by prisons and Borstal Institutions, they have assisted national food production by raising:- 8,200 heads of Cattle, 2 3 400 tons of Fruit, 600 tons of Sugar Beet, 60 tons of Tomatoes, They are also helloing to counteract the general seed shortage by growing 20 acres of Onions, Carrots, Peas and Beans for seed. At one Borstal Institution on the Lincolnshire coast crops are being raised from 180 acres that before the war were uncultivated marsh-land. The whole of this land has been reclaimed from the sea by the labour of the Institution. 200 of derelict land which had not been culti- At another institution over acres vated for 30 or 40 years were taken over from the War agricultural Committee in January of this year, tut in spite of the late start and the difficulty of working land of this kind scattered in small plots some 180 acres are being halves ted. The crops of corn and potatoes are well up to the standard, of the county. At two Borstal institutions lads were sent out on their own, through arrangements made with the local War agricultural Executive Committees, to work either individually or in small parties for neighbouring fa risers, who paid the Commissioners for their services at ordinary local rates. The lads go out from the institutions on their own, quite unsupervised, in the morning, and return late in the evening after their day 1 s work. The result has been equally valuable to the farmers, Institutions, the and the individual lads. Abuse has been comparatively rare, end the work ana conduct of the Borstal boys have almost invariably earned high praise. The Governor at one of the institutions reported "A howl of rage arises when our lads are taken off a farm and replaced by other labour". Some 200 lads are going out daily from the Borstal Institutions on these schemes. Prisoners Working Away from Prisons The experiment of working away from the institution, having been successful in Borstals, was then tried out in one or two Prisons, Here, however, supervision was retained, and the prisoners worked only in parties. Gradually the experiments were widely extended and, thanks to the co-operation of the Governors and staffs and the remarkable response of the prisoners themselves, they have now developed into a very substantial scheme. At present there are working in supervised parties away 'from the prisons over 700 prisoners, of whom over 500 are employed on agricultural schemes arranged through the County War agricultural Executive Committees, and the remainder on schemes arranged through through the Timber Control of the Ministry of Supply. Parties come from 21 different Prisons and one Borstal Institution which takes the older lads. Generally, the prisoners are conveyed by transport provided by the War Agricultural Executive Committee or the Timber Control to the site of the work, which is often many miles from the prison* The average party is about 20 prisoners with 1 officer, so that from a security point of view the supervision is only symbolic: nevertheless, unfortunate incidents have been very rare indeed* The worst was when some men drank several gallons of milk from a chum standing by the road. The prisoners selected are of course men, or in some prisons, boys, who are thought to be reliable, usually first offenders. Only two have tried to escape. /The agricultural (War Work in Prisons) 3 The agricultural work involves general cultivation, hedging, ditching, draining, and. reclamation ,J-he of land. Timber Control work involves handling, sawing, stacking, and. loading of pit-props; converting of blitzed, timber for re-use, and dismantling of aeroplane packing cases for re-use. All the Governors concerned, are more than pleased with the beneficial results, physical and. mental, on the prisoners selected, for outside parties. The privilege is so highly primed that the men themselves tend to check any tendencies to abuse. Only 56 charges have been necessary for slackness or breach of discipline. The strong desire to be selected for on outside party also tends to have a good, effect on discipline inside. The sense of being trusted., and. of doing hard, and obviously useful work, is a long step towards rehabilitation. A remarkable feature is the high praise which is almost invariably received, unsolicited., for the and: of the work done. quality quantity Direct Munitions work, in Prisons and Borstal Institutions The Prison Commissioners, by arrangement' with the Ministry of Supply, got into touch with one of the Ministry’s Contractors in the neighbourhood of a Borstal Institution and arranged for the assembly, in a workshop in the institution, of radio-power units as sub-Contractors to the Contractor. In the last three months up to 40 girls have been working in this shop, with results which the Contractor says are as good as they obtain in their own factory from local labour. It is hoped to increase the party as experience is gained. Another contractor sends into the Young Prisoners Centre at a local prison electrical for This tank gear assembly. job is also progressing satisfactorily. The Director of Prison Industries is constantly .on the look out for other work of this .kind, which can be introduced, at suitable establishments. Work on Military Roads A party of convicts have been doing excellent work for the past year on War Office land, some miles from the Prison making military roads and doing other work at the request of the local Command, thus saving many thousand man-hours of soldiers’ tine. Some 40 convicts have been employed; here the supervision is of the normal * convict prison. standard.. Only three men have absconded, and. there have been only 8 breaches of discipline. Letters of commendation have been received.. Similar work has been done for the Navy end Amy by parties of boys from a Borstal Institution. In 1940 much of the work was done under almost daily bombing and machine gunning in the course of which, casualties were incurred. For a time the lads were making degausing apparatus . (the anti-magnetic mine device) for the Admiralty and were fitting out 35 ships per week. In all about 325 ships were fitted out, the maximum number of lads employed being 125. The boys have also done deal of work for the Navy and Military in constructing gun sites end parade a great grounds, putting up structures, widening roads, filling in bomb holes, repairing bomb damage, unloading lighters. They salvaged a 400 tons lighter which had been end made it and have erected and, oil tanks. sunk for two years seaworthy, camouflaged Training Glasses in Engineering Fitting Training classes in Engineering Fitting have been started under skilled instruction recruited from outside at three prisons which, for the most part, receive "star" prisoners with records of good character. Each class takes about 20 men for a training of six months, the men being selected from among those who have no skilled who able and willing tolearn, and whose sentences of sufficient trade, are are length. With the co-operation of the Ministry of Labour and National Service, over 150 men from these classes have already been placed in skilled work on discharge, end of have been received from the indicating that many letters appreciation trainees wages of £8 - £l2 a week are being earned. /Only ( Work in Prisons) 4 Only one man has had to be removed from 1 a class for irregularity, and only one man has failed to -make good outside. Voluntary Work for Nursery School Association By arrangement with the Nursery School association a number of Prisons and Borstal Institutions are supplying toys produced from scrap ends of timber, metal and cloth, to war tine nurseries, nursery schools, resident nurseries and nursery classes. Over a thousand toys have been supplied since the scheme started six months ago. toys are made voluntarily by the prisoners and members of the staff in their spare tine. 'No labour is wasted on flimsy breakable toys; only toys of sound design likely to stand up to the hard use of a nursery are made. The range includes trains, engines, trucks, barrows, brick sets, mosaics, village sets, tea sets, dolls’ beds complete with bedding, constructi anal animals and dolls. Large quantities of toys, including larger toys of their own design, have "been' supplied by Maidstone and Dartmoor Prisons, Maidstone made a magnificent dolls’ house complete with• garden card sundial. Dartmoor has also made a large dolls’ house with good solid furniture. Some very fine sets of toys of excellent design have been turned out at Camp Hill, Isle Might, of and the Borstal Institutions at Rochester, Feltloan andNottingham. Most of the toys are brightly painted. The women for soft Holloway have recently started a. class boy making and concentrating dolls and bears which be dressed and undressed. are on teddy can HOME OFFICE 7/10/43 ~ No. 2 NOT FOR PUBLICATION, BROADCAST, OR USE ON CLUB TAPES BEFORE 00.30 B.S.T. (i.e. FOR MORNING PAPERS) ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1943 THIS EMBARGO SHOULD BE RESPECTED OVERSEAS BY PREFACING ANY MESSAGES FILED WITH THE EMBARGO Air Ministry News Service Air Ministry Bulletin No. 11716 TWO R.A.F. MEN AWARDED AMERICAN D, F. C« Two R,A,F. pilots serving in the Mediterranean have been awarded the American Distinguished Plying Cross, They are Wing Commander A. Warburton, D,S.O, D.F,C, a crack Spitfire reconnaissance pilot, and Wing Commander P,R, May, A.F.C, a glider pilot. Warburton, according to official citation, while on a mission to obtain urgently-needed photographs of coastline 3, the of Pantellaria on June distinguished himself through his resolute courage and calm efficiency under fire. Flying over the island at 200 feet within easy range of every type of anti-aircraft battery and drawing the fire of even the large coastal guns, Wing Commander Warburton photographed virtually the entire chore line gaining information of inestimable value to the allied forces which later invaded the island. "His citation "and proficiency as a pilot and photographer", the adds, his selfless devotion to duty, reflect great credit himself and the armed upon forces of the United Nations", Wing Commander May served squadron commander during airborne operations as a in the Sicilian campaign, "and", says the citation, "distinguished himself through his outstanding leadership and unfailing devotion to duty. Resourceful in emergency and courageous in combat he has set an example which has been of high inspiration to all who have served under him". In August this year, Wing Commander Warburton received a bar to his D.S.O. wade range which for the very large number of reconnaissance flights - over a - he had made of targets in the Middle East, The reconnaissance of Pantellaria was specially mentioned in the citation (see A.M.B, 11066), and his Enfield. Warburton was horn at Middleshorough in 1918, home is at Educated at St. Edwards School, he joined the territorials in 1937 Oxford, as a private in the Royal Tank Corps, He was commissioned in the R,A.F. in 1939. Wing Commander Born in 1908 and educated. at Bedford. School and May was was University College,, London, He was commissioned in 1929 and was promoted flight lieutenant in 1937. His home is at Cambridge, 7.10.43. - No.28 "DESERT VICTORY" SUCCESS THROUGHOUT U.S.S.R. 70,000 PEOPLE IN MOSCOŴ SAW FILM IN FIRST TWO DAYS Reports from the Soviet Union are now to hand cf the success there of "Desert Victory", the official film of the advance of the 8th Army to Tripoli. The film was shewn in Moscow in April, followed by showings in other big cities, including Leningrad and Stalingrad. In Moscow 70,000 people are reported by "Vechernaya Moskva" to have seen the film in the first two days. In Kuibyshev requests were received by factories, offices and schools to organise special showings of the film for workers, whilst in the foyer cf the ’Molot* Cinema, Kuibyshev, lectures were given on the war. in Africa, In Stalingrad the shewing of the film coincided with the reports of the capture of Tunis and Bizerta and aroused great enthusiasm. The film was shown both to the public and to the army, and has been scheduled for release through all official channels. The Soviet press was unanimous in its praise of the film* The "Pravda" correspondent said, "This remarkable film signifies one fact, that the courage cf British warriors and the skill of their leaders will enable them to reach the vital centres of the Axis*" "Krasnaya Zveda" after praising the technical qualities of the film remarks, "This is a film about the English people, who hate the enemy with their whole heart, have learned to fight under severe.conditions and are preparing for t'he final battles," "Smena" (Leningrad) says., "The film strengthens cur faith that the United Nations are ready to inflict new decisive blows*" InArchangel the "Pravda Severa" started its review with the remark, "The gallantry and skill cf the British cameramen is. highly to be " praised* MINISTRY OF INFORMATION 7/10/43 - No, 29 "FULL FOR BATTLE" CAMPAIGN The Ministry of Fuel and Power is greatly impressed with the importance in the "Fuel For Battle" Campaign of the work that can be, and is being done by the Fuel Watchers in industry. It is well known that immense economies can be achieved by skill and persistent fuel watching in factories. It is equally true that great savings can be obtained by the same method in the enormous numbers of kitchens and other branches of activity which go to make up the vast network of services known as the catering trades. The Ministry have, therefore, in conjunction with the chief associations of the catering trade, arranged for two special meetings of Fuel Watchers and managements of the catering trade to be held in Lancashire next week. The first held in Manchester on Monday, will be 11th October, at 3 p.m. at Houldsworth Hall, 90, Deansgate. The chair will be taken by Mr, D. Cameron-Swan, Chairman of the North Western Caterers Association, and Mr, Gordon Macdonald, Regional Fuel Controller of the North Western Region, will address the meeting. The.,second meeting will be held in Liverpool on Tuesday, 12th October, at 3 p*m, 'at Crane Theatre, Hanover Street. The chair will be taken by the Earl of Derby and the speakers will be Mr, Gordon Macdonald and Mr, Cameron-Swan, At both meetings there will be a special interview between Mr. Freddie Grisewood and a Fuel Watcher of the catering trade. MINISTRY OF FUEL AND POWER 7,10.43 - No. 30 Air ministry News Service Air ministry bulletin No. 11718 F.W. DESTROYED AFTER TREE-TOP CHASE WHEN three F.W.190s approached Fighter Command aircraft attacking ships off the Dutch coast early this morning, they were chased inland at tree-top height for many miles before one was destroyed. The Typhoons were escorting Hurricane bombers which, attacking shipping in the Ooster Schelde area, blew to pieces a motor launch and a large sailing barge. A Now Zealand flight-lieutenant described how the Typhoons chased the F.Ws which they had first seen approaching from the Dutch coast. "Immediately they saw us," he said, "they turned. We dived and began a chase at wave-top height and then across the coast, My squadron- leader and followed one Hun for nearly 50 miles inland before we got him. He tried to climb as bits flew off his aircraft and he jettisoned his hood. The last I saw of him was when he was standing in his seat struggling to get out." On their way home the Typhoons shot up a locomotive. One Hurricane is missing from the shipping attacks. 7.10.43. - No. 31 POLISH SUBMARINE SINKS ENEMY" SUPPLY SHIPS OFFICIAL POLISH NAVAL COMMUNIQUE The Polish naval staff announce that the submarine Dzik, operating with Royal Navy thethe Mediterranean during the in attempted evacuation of the German forces from Corsica, torpedoed and sank two supply ships, one of large and the other of medium size, in Bastia Roads. At the time of this attack three ships remaining in Bastia Harbour were seen to be on fire Three Siebel Ferries, used for the transport of enemy troops to the Italian mainland, were also attacked by torpedo and seen to sink. In addition, the Dzik scored torpedo hits on a large transport and a large tanker. It was impossible to observe the full results of these attacks but both ships are claimed as probably sunk. 7/10/43 - No, 32 Naples, from basil Gingell for the Combined Press With the Fifth Army October 6 On the north bank of the Volturno the-Germans have prepared gun positions, but as a defence line it is not one they are likely to try to hold long. The rising ground nearer Rome as I view the country- side appears to be the direction in which they will try to withdraw, where the hilly country resembles the gorges around Salerno. As the battle moves away Naples is coming to life. One restaurant serving fish dinners is now open and. shops. some The docks are now in partial-use and merchant ships are already unloading. In -one Oxford Street of Naples I saw ladies’ hat and glove shops open and two bookshops. Crowds of Italians are assisting in removing the rubble from the streets, hater shortage is still the principal worry and soldiers directed the at water points throughout the queues day. There has been trek of their a returning'inhabitants bringing belongings in horse carts and hand trucks into the city. MINISTER OF INFORMATION 7.10.43 -No. .34 /DP IT lON TO M.0.1. ISSUE No. 21 ITALY By FRANK GILTARB, Representing Combined British Press and Radio. 'with Fifth Army, October 6 The Germans attempted to bog us down by flooding large areas of the country. In one place alone they felled fifty trees across a road. Many of these were left with booby traps attached in the foliage that when shifted the trees would blow Mines with so up. trip •..’ires were sown freely in the roadside and sidetracks, in ditches and in the rubble of demolished buildings. So it has bridging, bull-dozing and mine-lifting and advance "been with stiff skirmishes in places, particularly in village approaches, and much opposition from enemy snipers and machine-gunners left behind in prepared positions to cover the retreat. All signs point to the fact that the Germans regard Volturno, as indeed the whole of central Italy, merely as a delaying position. At one town our troops found 260 British wounded and Americans in a former German hospital. Most of them had "been in enemy hands for some time.. There are persistent rumours that non-Germans are deserting from the enemy ranks, particularly that Austrians are "buying civilian clothes and making off. MINISTRY OF INFORMATION NOT TO BE PUBLISHED BY 7/10/43 " No, 39 ANY BRITISH EVENING NEWSPAPER NOT TO BE BROADCAST BEFORE 0030 B.S.T, OCT. 8 NAPLES: From NOEL MONKS representing the Combined British Press Naples, Thursday One of the war's greatest atrocities was perpetrated against Neapolitans by the Germans today when a delayed action mine containing several hundred tons of high explosive planted in the basement of a post office building went up. Scores of Italian civilians including many women and children were blown to pieces as the whole pavement in Via Armondo Diaz was flung into the air. Practically every person on the ground floor of the post office was killed as well as many civilians walking in the street a block away. People were also killed in adjoining buildings* Theexplosion occurred at one of the busiest times of the day when hundreds of Neapolitans were visiting the post office and endeavouring to communicate with their relatives living in districts occupied by the Allies, , Some soldiers were included among the dead. MINISTRY OF INFORMATION NOT TO BE PUBLISHED BY ANY 7/10/43 - No. 4l BRITISH EVENING NEWSPAPER NOT TO BE BROADCAST BEFORE 00.30 B.S.T, OCT. 8 Naples, from Noel Honks Representing the Combined British press (Continuation of Issue No. 39) The Post Office was the only public building left intact by Germans when they left Naples a week ago tonight after making it into an immense booby trap. British and American Red Cross services were on the scene immediately and worked at high pressure for several hours. An appalling aspect of the explosion was the number of children killed. At one moment they were playing in the street, the next they were mere ribbons of flesh. I visited the scene within a few minutes of the explosion having just returned from the front and counted the torn bodies of fifteen children. A woman walking round the corner of Via Roma a hundred and fifty yards from the Post Office had her head blown off. The reaction of the Neapolitans was one of fierce resentment against the Germans and hundreds of people worked themselves into hysteria calling for vengeance against their former allies. The Neapolitans will never forgot today. MINISTRY of information 7/10/43 - No, 43 Air Ministry No. 11722 AIR MINISTRY COMMUNIQUE Beaufighters of Coastal Command, one which is missing, of destroyed two enemy aircraft over the Day of Biscay this afternoon* Hurricane 'bombers, Typhoons and Spitfires carried out offensive' sweeps and patrols ever the Dutch islands and Franco during the day* One enemy aircraft was destroyed* One of our fighters is missing* MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE 55, WHITEHALL, LONDON, S.W.I PRESS NOTICE 7th October, 1943 M.A.F. 1048 ACREAGE PAYMENTS IN 1943 Any farmer or grower who has not yet received a form on which to apply for an acreage payment in respect of wheat, rye (to be harvested as grain) or potatoes, is asked to send, at once, a letter or postcard to:- Acreage Payments Section, Ministry of Food, Marston Road, Oxford, giving his full name and address and asking for a form to be sent to him* Forms when .completed should be sent, delay, without to the appropriate County War Agricultural Executive Committee*