18/11/41 - No. 8 (Simultaneous release in Canada has been arranged,) MORE CANADIAN WHEAT For U.K. The of Food has entered into with the Ministry an agreement Canadian Wheat Board for the purchase of a further 120 million bushels of nadian Wheat Ca (about 3 million tons). MINISTRY OF FOOD 18/11/41 - No. 9 MORE COOKED BACON AID HAM FOR COUNTRY DISTRICTS Some parts of the country, especially rural areas, have suffered in comparison with other areas because 'hey have very, few cooked meat which specialise in the sale of cooked bacon and shops ham. The Ministry of Food is therefore making arrangements as to release of bacon and ham for sale in soon as possible supplies cooked form off the ration in these districts. country Agricultural workers in particular will benefit from these supplies The will be made available through retail shops supplies holding licences to sell bacon or ham. Local Food Offices will such of these and invite them to apply notify shops arrangements for if they have adequate cooking facilities know that supplies or their wholesalers are able to deliver ready cooked bacon or ham. Not more than two wholesale suppliers are allowed. If, therefore, a retailer is obtaining of rationed bacon and ham from two wholesalers, he must obtain his of this unrationed supplies bacon and ham from one or both of them. MINISTRY OF FOOD Not for publication before, and to be checked against, delivery. 18/11/41 - No.10. (Luncheon at 1 p.m.). THE TRIALS OF THE GREEKS CROW PRINCE'S MOVING SPEECH at luncheon of the Chelsea Rotary Club at the Rembrandt Speaking a Hotel, today, H.R.H. The Crown Prince Paul of Greece said:- I of the honour have done and the pleasure am deeply appreciative you me you have in to be to-day: and moved given me inviting me your guest I am profoundly Chairman’s cordial words and by demonstrations of welcome. by your your very warm I am all the more happy to be among you now, as the present occasion appears to to be link in what well become chain I hope of tradition. me a may a - a long one - after where the Rotary Club active and progressive For leaving Athens, was a very I had the of the Rotarians of Capetown and of seeing society, privilege addressing and appreciating the beneficent influence of this institution with its robust moral foundation upon the principles of mutual understanding and fellowship. good that the ideas and the of which I am sure exchange of interchange sympathies are fostered by your gatherings all over the globe cannot but contribute, among and civilized to of the world. free nations, the progress and peace The sympathetic atmosphere which I feel around me to-day leads me to give you a brief and necessarily incomplete account of the sufferings which the Greek people at the of the in which the are undergoing present moment, spirit they are bearing heavy yoke of their oppressors and of the determined effort which the Greek Forces and the Greeks outside Greece are still contributing to the cause of the Allies. But first of all I should like to say that, were it not for the great sadness of to leave beloved country under the stress of present being compelled my I could think of than to find at this adversity, no greater privilege myself, crucial moment of the world's history, in the heart of this great Empire which is the heart and the soul of the ideal for which we are all fighting. Nothing could be finer than the calm courage and determined spirit of the British people. Conscious of the grim struggle and of the immense, the vital issues at stake, upon which depend the very existence of Britain and the freedom of the civilized world, the men and women of this country are bearing the staggering burden of the war with a fortitude worthy of the finest traditions of this nation of fine traditions. We Greeks those of who still in Greece and those who - us are are continuing the far from home indeed that time when struggle - are proud at a Europe seemed to be crumbling physically and, - what is far more serious - morally, under the of Nazi violence and the most brutal form of indeed pressure aggression, - we are that vouchsafed the to stand by small proud we were strength your side, as we were, and in the of liberty, which dearly able to throw cause we prize as as you, were back the Italian aggressor in a series of defeats over a period of six months and to face with the that befits free tide courage men the overwhelming of German machinery. Like in spirit we have not failed traditions and you, our our ideals,- in body not equal to the might of two we were great Empires. But if has been the unscrupulous in the my country overrun by aggressors pursuit of their of world domination brute this not that plan by force, does mean Greece's contribution to the cause of freedom has come to an end. /The nation - 2 - The nation is still with all the it resisting gallantly means can muster and that their resistance is effective is proved by the fact that fifteen Italian divisions and Germans immobilised in over 70,000 are Greece to-day in an ineffectual attempt to keep order. The Greek Government in London have received authentic accounts of guerilla warfare in various parts of the mainland of Greece and in the whole of Crete, which is carried on with such stubbornness and tenacity as to cause the Italians and Germans the greatest discomfort and while the and acts of uneasiness, savage murders, depredations sacrilege and brutality committed by the in Thrace and Macedonia have Bulgars provoked open revolts in those unfortunate provinces which even German troops have had the greatest difficulty in suppressing. The atrocities committed by the Bulgars in these North-Eastern of indeed and not only of the provinces Greece are horrifying are typical brutish of that and uncivilized but also of the mentality primitive race mockery of Hitler’s claim that under the aegis of his famous New Order, of will to the nations which obey him. Of all an era prosperity accrue the lies which he has before the world with his impudent unashamedly put frankness that is perhaps the most blatant. Macedonia and Western Thrace are two entirely Greek provinces. After the Great War the Turkish minority and the small Bulgarian minority were, by agreements signed between the Greek Government on the one hand and the Turkish and Bulgarian Governments on the other, exchanged against Greeks previously established in Turkey and Bulgaria respectively. Thus by common consent and official treaties no Turks or Bulgarians remained in Greece and no Greeks remained in Turkey or Bulgaria. the meantime to the rich In Greece proceeded develop tobacco-growing lands and by irrigation works on which she has spent five million pounds in the last twelve years she has reclaimed vast areas in the Struma valley and the of which and has transformed plain Drama were previously marshes, them into the chief of from which she derives third granary Greece, over a of her cereals. The motives of the Bulgars in coming down into these fertile terri- tories, on the heels of the Germans without striking a blow, are obvious. They the motives which incite the to force safe because he are burglar a fancies the valuables that happen to lie within it. That they do not to him does not trouble the and the belong burglar's conscience, conscience of the Bulgars does not appear to be of a superior order. Fear of the the other does sometimes deter the but law, on hand, burglar, the Bulgars covered and the laws and ethics of the New are encouraged by Order. So they have come down into our land like a pack of ravenous wolves and not content with their they have deliberately fomented trouble plunder in order to give vent to their and bloodthirsty instincts. They savage have turned the Greeks out of their farms and villages and forced seventy thousand of them to seek refuge and support in the already starving areas to the south-west. Where the Greeks have resisted they have mercilessly slaughtered them by thousands: one account from an official source places the number of people so murdered at l5,000, while from official documents in our of possession we have detailed proof, of unquestionable authenticity, a series of separate massacres making up a total of five thousand victims, which only covers a part of the ground. In the town of Doxaton alone over two thousand people were massacred the specious of and the part of the on grounds alleged communism, greater town was destroyed by dive bombers. Churches have been desecrated and the Greek the walls inscriptions on and holy pictures have been painted over and replaced by inscriptions in Bulgarian in a clumsy attempt to affirm the validity of the crude culture of this primitive race. /Deliberate - 3 - rapine and carried out such scale is Deliberate murder, plunder, on a so so horrifying to civilized and free people unbelievable that appalling, and, so those in this who have found it hard to believe these reports, well country may be excused. Yet the which I have drawn is but the palest of pink copies in- picture just comparison with the crimson horror of the original. These atrocities in Northern Greece, and the more scientific tynanny and carried out and farther south only steel depredations by the Italians Germans the hearts of brave compatriots to resistance and the nation within my greater the borders of the Kingdom still carries on the fight passively in the towns and villages, and actively in the wild mountain regions which afford ample scope for the irresponsible initiative of bands. guerilla Outside the borders of the Greek Kingdom, as you know, our Royal Navy and Merchant Fleet, Army in the Middle East a nd our Air Force, our new reorganised and equipped with machines, collaborating with Great Britain and new are adding the slender weight of their material strength and the indomitable spirit of their determination to the forces of righteousness which for are fighting civilization. That these forces will eventually triumph I have not the doubt: slightest assuredly all of us here present are confident of victory: but the path may be steep and with trials and for the a one, a long one, fraught many difficulties, of evil not without and resourcefulness. And it is powers are resources only by by and the unrelenting perseverance, unceasing increasing effort, by unwavering will to win that we shall conquer: that is why Greece, though overwhelmed, is fighting on, and will fight on to the very end. Your beautiful city of London may well be proud of its noble for scars, they indeed have added to its grandeur; they show us that you too have experienced the horrors of the brutal form of warfare let loose upon the world by Nazi Germany. But I am will not consider it impertinence who sure you an on my part, have recently come from a country as quiet and peace-loving as yours - which has gone through sufferings and devastation beyond the scope of the most vivid imagination, when I adjure you not to look upon these spars with the pride with which one looks upon a horror past and a glory won, but to remember that all for the continuation of Hitler his if we are fighting good upon earth, and evil fighting for their men are very existence, and that they know it. There is guile, devilish of no no device, no poisonous skill, no engine destruction which will not in the frenzied and desperate which they employ agony spurs than on. But the secret of their defeat and our victory lies in the fact which know and which the means, we they begin to realise, that whatever however ingenious the devices, however great the forces launched, against the men and women of Great Britain, of the British Commonwealth of Nations and of their Allies, the spirit of Greece, the spirit of Crete, the spirit of Right, Justice and which is the spirit of God, burns steadfastly in their breasts and Liberty, will rise up from this great little island and crush those monstrous fiends and destroy their evil works. MINISTRY OF INFORMATION. 18/11/41 - No. 11 MORE CANADIANS HERE Canadians have arrived here in fulfilment Thousands more safely of Mr. Mackenzie King's pledge that "every month would see more Canadians in Britain to share in the defence." The new arrivals include field artillery and service corps units from the Canadian prairies. With them also came hundreds of airmen trained under the Empire Air Training Scheme. The into storms hut arrived in British convoy ran heavy safely a port without encountering a U-boat or sighting a Nazi 'plane. CANADIAN MILITARY H.Q. (Through the Dominions Office Press Section. ) 18.11.41. - No. 14 NOT FOR PUBLICATION, BROADCAST, OR USE ON CLUB TAPES BEFORE 00.30 B.S.T. ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1941. THIS EMBARGO SHOULD BE RESPECTED OVERSEAS BY PREFACING ANY MESSAGES FILED WITH THE EMBARGO. GOVERNOR OF WINDWARD ISLANDS The Colonial Office announces that His Majesty the King has been pleased to approve the appointment of Sir Arthur Francis Grimble, K.C.M.G., and Commander-in-Chief of to be and Governor Seychelles, Governor Commander-in-Chief of the Windward Islands, in succession to Sir Henry Bradshaw Popham, K.C.M.G., M.B.E., who will retire next May. COLONIAL OFFICE PRESS SECTION /Sir Arthur Grimble was born in 1888 and entered the Colonial Service in 1914 Cadet in the Gilbert and Ellice where as a Islands, he remained in various until when he capacities 1933, was appointed Administrator of St. Vincent. In 1930 he to his was appointed present office of Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Seychelles./ 18/11/41 - No.15 MIDDLE EAST WAR COMMUNIQUE The following official issued from G.H.Q., Cairo, to-day war communique was LIBYA. TOBRUK. Ground visibility improved, due to rain. the night heavy During 16/17 November our patrols were active again. In the frontier area our patrols were, particularly active, crossing the frontier at a number of points, and penetrating deeply into territory. enemy WAR OFFICE 18.11.41 - No. 19 FOR PUBLICATION IN ENGLAND AND WALES SALES OF FATS TOOK IN CHRISTMAS WEEK IN ENGLAND AND WALES For few before and after Christmas the numbers a days immediately of fat stock offered for sale at the markets in England raid bales have usually small, in December. been very following heavy marketings earlier The of Food has therefore decided not to purchase fatstock Ministry at Collecting Centres in England and Wales from Tuesday to Thursday in Christmas and Centres in England and Wales neck, consequently Collecting will not operate for the sale of fatstock to the Ministry from Tuesday, December 23 to December 23 inclusive. It should be understood Thursday, that this to fatstock and the of the holding of applies only, question a market for the sale of store stock those is matter or dairy on days a solely for the local interests concerned. MINISTRY OF FOOD 18/11/41 - No. 20 (For publication in Scotland) SALES OF FAT SHEEP IN SCOTLAND IN CHRISTMAS WEEK Traffic congestion end the incidence of the Claris teas holiday in and Wales led to serious difficulties last with regard to England year fat purchased by the Ministry of Food in Scotland in Christmas sheep week. In order to avoid similar difficulties this year, the Ministry has decided not to purchase any fat sheep at Collecting Centres in Scotland and December 22nd and on Monday Tuesday, 23rd. MINISTRY OF FOOD 18.11.41. - No. 22 NOT TO BE PUBLISHED OR USED ON CLUB TAPES UNTIL 0030, B.S.T. WEDNESDAY, 19th NOVEMBER, 1941. NOT TO BE CALLED OVERSEAS AND NOT TO BE BROADCAST IN ANY COUNTRY BEFORE THAT TIME. PRESS NOTICE On 25th December, 1941, General Sir John Dill, K.C.B., C.M.G., will relinquish the appointment of Chief of the D.S.O., A.D.C., Imperial General Staff on attaining the age of 60. In recognition of his distinguished services His Majesty has been to confer the rank of Field-Marshal Sir John pleased upon Dill who will be succeeded as Chief of the Imperial General Staff by General Sir Alan Brooke, D.S.O. K.C.B., His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve the appointment of Field-Marshal Sir John Dill, K.C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O., to be of in succession to Sir A.D.C., Governor designate Bombay Roger Lumley, the expiration of his term of office. G.C.I.E., on The following appointments are also announced: - Lieutenant-General B.C.T. will succeed Paget, C.B.,D.S.0., Sir Alan Brooke Home Forces. as Commander-in-Chief, Lieutenant-General Sir Henry R. Pownall, K.B.E., C. D.S.O., B., M.C., has been selected for a special appointment. Major-General A.E. Nye, M.C., will succeed Sir Henry Pownall Vice-Chief of the General Staff. as Imperial Lieutenent-General D.S.O., is appointed B.L. Montgomery, C.B., General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Eastern Command, in succession to Lieutenant-General Paget. WAR OFFICE GENERAL SIR JOHN DILL, CHIEF OF IMPERIAL GENERAL STAFF the British Commander-in-Chief at the War Office. Long ago Army used to have a last these the and beloved soldier, Lord Roberts, Nowadays the The of was great Council, the First Member of Commander-in-Chief's place is taken by the Army Military which is the Chief of the Imperial General Staff. It is he who, under the Secretary of State, is charged with all questions of military policy affecting the security of with advice to the conduct of operations and with the issue of the Empire, as orders. He is the rests the principal operation accordingly man upon whom of victory in the field. professional responsibility for the organisation General Sir John Dill, K.C.B., D.S. has held the post of C.I.G.S. C.M.G., O., since May when he succeeded Field Marshal Sir Edmund with whom for last, Ironside, a month previously he had been Vice Chief. The which have brought Sir John to the highest, the most exacting qualities in scheme that in the first he is position our military are place an outstanding he has behind, him and brilliant of experience and strategist. Secondly a long career achievement, dating back to 1901, when he was gazetted from Sandhurst into the Prince of Wales’ Leinster Regiment. (This Regiment, together with other Southern Irish units, was disbanded in 1922). In 1931 Sir John was appointed Colonel of the East Lancashire Regiment. He first saw active service in the latter end of the South African War. A distinguished record, in the Great War led him in 1918 to the post of Brigadier-General, General Staff, at G.H.Q. - an unusually important one for an officer only 36 years of age. Since then his record of service has included a whole series of important and responsible appointments - command of an infantry brigade, Army Instructor, Imperial Defence College, a Command in India, Commandant of the Staff College at Camberley, Director of Military Operations and Intelligence at the War Office, Commander-in-Chief in Palestine during the troublous times of 1936. In 1937 Sir John Dill's appointment to Aldershot gave him the most important command of the British Army, which followed that of the 1st Corps peace-time was by of the British Expeditionary Force in France. This he held all through the first autumn and winter of the war. He vacated it to become Vice Chief of the Imperial General Staff at the War Office only a few weeks before the German attack. The magnificent behaviour of his old Corps in the epic retreat to Dunkirk reflected the care and vision shown in its training. He is of marked a man compelling personality, indefatigable thoroughness, sincerity, great charm, and patient good temper. Those who heard, him address the Press on his return from the last meeting of the Supreme War Council in June know how unafraid he is of the most difficult truth and what brave and healthy speaking a reaction he produces in his audience. As leader of he commands the enthusiastic and respect, a men loyalty, affection, of all who serve under him. A close friend says of him:- "As a Commander I consider him really unique. Not only is he able to earn the respect of those in his but also their real admiration and affection. Command, very I think the highest possible testimony of this kind which he ever received was from the 1st Corps, when he left them to take his V.C.I.G.S. here in up appointment as London. His departure was very sudden. He received the news one evening at 10.30 that he was to leave Douai the following morning at 11 to be at G.H.Q. at 12 noon. to elaborate all It was therefore quite impossible organize an farewell; yet the way from Douai to Arras distance of 20 miles the roadside lined the - a some - was by men under his command. The whole thing was absolutely spontaneous. In every village through which he that he cheered by his in that made it passed, on day was men a way abundantly clear that they knew they were losing not only a grand commander, but a grand man." As his first is undoubtedly his work. After that his regards hobbies, comes devotion to horses and hunting." Sir John looks far younger than his years. He is serene and courteous; he makes habit of decisions. Emergencies do no hasty judgments or theatrically quick not excite him, and he has always taken into account factor in carefully every a before his mind. A scientific in the truest best problem making up soldier and sense of the he proceeds from exact careful consideration to term, knowledge and vigorous action. "First weigh, then away!", the motto of the famous Marshal von Moltke, might well be that of Sir John Dill. SIR ALAN FRANCIS BROOKE, Was born on 23rd July 1883 and has been C. in C., Home Forces since 20th 1940. He served in France and Belgium July, during the Great War with the Royal Artillery which he entered in 1902. He was appointed a Companion of the Distinguished Service awarded the Bar to this the Belgian War Order, Order, Cross, 1914 Star and Clasp, British War and Victory Medals, and mentioned in occasions in was despatches on seven of his services. He served General Staff recognition as a Officer in the Northern Command from February, 1920, to and at the from December, 1922, Staff College January, 1923, to 1927. He Commandant of the School of January, was from Instructor Artillery February, 1929, to March, 1932, Army at the Imperial Defence College from March, 1932, to April, 1 934, a Brigade Commander in the Southern Command from April, 1934, to September, 1935, Inspector of the Royal Artillery at the War Office from November, 1935, to August, 1936, and Director of at the War Office from Military Training August, 1936, to November, 1937. He was appointed Commander of the Mobile Division in November, 1937 and General Officer Commanding in Anti-Aircraft Territorial Chief, Command, in March 1939 when the first Anti-Aircraft Corps Army, Territorial Army was converted into an Army Command. LT. GENERAL P.C.T. PAGET. Was born on the 15th September, 1887 and has been in Command of the formed South-Eastern Command since 5th June this newly year. He entered the in served in the Oxford & Bucks light Infantry Great War and mentioned in despatches on four occasions. He was promoted Ma and Lt.-General in 1940. jor- General in 1937 acting June Before the Great War he had experience as Assistant Instructor at the School of Musketry in India. He took part in the operations against Abd-El-Krim in the Riff and was in the Military Mission to Morocco in 1925. General Paget has also had experience at the Staff School, Cambridge, Staff Camberley, Staff College, College, Quetta. He was employed as a Brigade Commander in India in 1937-8. As Commandant 1938-9 and as Divisional Commander 1939-40. The part he in the in played operations Norway is recent history. LT. GENERAL SIR HENRY ROYDS POWNALL, K.B.E., C.B., D.S.O., M.C. Lt. General Sir Pownall is of Henry one our younger generals, being only 53 years of age. From Rugby, he passed on to Woolwich and later was commissioned in the Royal Artillery. He passed through the Staff College and later went to the Imperial Defence College. From 1906 until the Great War General Pownall served in the R.F.A. and the R.H.A. in both England and India. He went to France in the autumn of 1914 and served there and in Belgium throughout the winning the D.S.O. and M.C. In 1917-18 he was Brigade war, Major 17th Division. From 1924 to 1925 he Major at the R.A., was Brigade School of and in the next he became G.S.O. II Staff College, Artillery, year in which he served until 1929. Camberley, post In 1930-31 he took in the North West Frontier of part operations on India and it was here that he gained a bar to his D.S.O. Back in England, he Assistant to the Committee of Imperial Defence from was Military Secretary 1933 to and in 1936. From 1936 to 1938 General Pownall 1935 Deputy Secretary was Commandant at the School of Artillery, Larkhill. In 1938 he went to the War Office and until 1940 held the post of Director of Military Operations and Intelligence. He became Chief of the General Staff, B.E.F. in 1940 and in the same Lt. General. Later that he became Inspector-General of year Temporary year the Guard. Afterwards he commanded the British in Northern Home troops Ireland and has been Y.C.I.G.S. since May 1941. General Pownall is a small man, alert and well-groomed. He is a keen and active sportsman,being specially fond of skiing, fishing and golf. MAJOR-GENERAL ARCHIBALD EDWARD NYE was born on 7th May, 1896. He served in the Leinster at the beginning of Regiment the last for and receiving his war one year 59 days, Commission on 5th December, 1915, in the Royal Warwickshire R giment. Later he transferred to the Prince of Wales e Volunteers where he became Substantive Captain and Brevet Major. Again he returned to the Warwicks where he Royal became Ma jor and Brevet Lt. Colonel. He received his Colonelcy in being July 1937, promoted Major-General 1st 1940. He G.S.O.3. on November, was R.A.F.Co-operation at Aldershot from 1926 to 1928. Brigade Major, Eastern Command, from 1928 to 1930. G.S.O.2. at the r Office Wa 1931-32; G.S.O.2. Staff College G.S.O.2. War 1932-35; Office 193 6 -37; and was appointed Director of Staff Duties at the Office in Wa r November, 1940. Lt. GENERAL BERNARD LAW MONTGOMERY Born 17th November, 1887. He entered the Army in 1908. Served in France and Belgium, during the Great War was wounded twice, and mentioned in despatches and won the D.S.O. From March to September 1919 he was General Staff Officer with the Rhine and from 1921 to 1922 served a Army as Brigade Major with the Irish Command and in the following year served in similar with Southern Command. From 1923-25 he Staff a capacity was a Officer with the Northern Command and 1926-29 was Deputy Assistant Adjutant General at the Staff with the rank of temporary Lt. Colonel. He College was General Staff Officer Grade I at the Staff College Quetta from 1934-37, and back to this in August 1937 when he came country was appointed Brigade Commander, Southern Command, with the rank of temporary Brigadier From 1938 to 1940 when he became especially employed he was a Divisional Commander. 18/11/41 - No. 23 AGRICULTURAL WAGES BOARD NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE At their after observations of the meeting today, considering the County Agricultural Wages Committees, the Agricultural Wages Board decided unanimously to increase the national minimum wage for regular adult male workers from 48/- per week to 60/-. In doing the behalf and with the authority of the Board, so Chairman, on stated;- "The Board is much indebted to the Committees for their assistance County in the matter when consulted to the requirements of the Act of pursuant Parliament. A substantial majority of the Committees are in fabour of the minimum of 60/-, but many of the some Committees have qualified their recommendations It is to by references to prices. necessary, therefore, observe that the Board has in to prices. These no powers regard fixing ere matters for the and the Minister of has dealt Government, Agriculture already with that matter in statement him October 8, which has been a made by on 1941, brought to the attention of the Board and to which the Board has given consideration. The Board has accordingly fixed the rate of wages at 60/- per week and in so doing hopes to secure stability in labour conditions in Agriculture on a long term basis." It may be explained that the national minimum wage is made effective through the mimimum rates of fixed the wages by Agricultural Wages Committees which, unless they make the minimum wage for their representations to Board for a lower areas and such representations are approved by the Board, are required to revise the minimum rates for adult male workers in their in order to areas bring them, where to the national minimum. An Order in Council has been necessary, up new made shortening the period required by the procedure under the Agricultural Wages (Regulation) Acts so as to enable the revised minimum rates to be brought into operation as from the 28th December. MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE 18/11/41 - No.24 EAST AFRICAN WAR COMMUNIQUE Nairobi November 18, l94l Our column advancing from the Sudan has started artillery registration the west of while on enemy positions on escarpment Celga, ground patrols were active in this sector. Kamant chiefs are daily joining our troops advancing towards Gondar along the Om Ager road. The garrison of Gorgora and Lake Tana has been called to surrender. In other sectors upon pressure on the enemy position is being maintained. WAR OFFICE 18.11.41 - No. 27 MILITARY APPOINTMENTS The following additional biographical notes regarding officers concerned in the military appointments announced today are issued for such use as the Press may wish to make of them: GEN. SIR ALAN BROOKE General Sir Alan Brooke’s Sir Victor for Master father, Brooke, was many years of the Pau to be the direct descendants of hounds hunted by the Hounds, a pack reputed Duke of Wellington’s officers the Peninsular War. Lieut.-General Brooke, during before to the at educated at private going Royal Military Academy Woolwich, was a school in Pau. Sir Victor famous shot his house at Pau crowded with trophies was a big game - was he had brought out of the world’s and his has inherited his open air jungles - son skill. Sir Alan is of the finest shots in Great and equally good with one Britain, a rod. He is, too, one of the small band of men who can claim to have ridden down and speared a wolf from horseback - a feat which Lieut.-General Brooke achieved in his pigsticking days in India. Holidays from the French school often at Colebrooke, County Fermanagh, were spent and there, those dales and rivers the General’s for outdoor among woods, passion sports was born. During the Great General Brooke to the Canadian Corps War, was G.S.0.I., R.A., in France, and he is reputed to be the inventor of the barrage map which came into for the direction of fire. common use artillery barrage LT. GEN. BERNARD CHARLES TOLVER PAGET General has the two attributes that to the making of first rate officer. Paget go a He is excellent commander and good staff officer. an equally as a He is the of late of Oxford and his mother is the daughter of son a Bishop a former Dean of St. Pauls. He was commissioned in the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry in 1907 and saw service in France as a Adjutant and 2nd Grade staff officer. In 1925 be accompanied a military mission to Morocco and saw operations of the French Army against Abd-L-Krin in Riff. He commanded in India in and in the a brigade 1937, following year was promoted to Major General and appointed Commandant of the Staff College at Camberley. Commandant of the Staff is He is College a very important appointment. respon- sible for teaching the latest in military science and staff work to developments young officers, chiefly captains and majors, who in peace time have to pass a very hard entrance examination. In the ranks of these officers are the future generals of the British Army. There is scarcely a general today who has not been through the Staff College. There was a revolutionary change at the College in the first days of the war. Most of the officers from the regular armywho were qualified to attend, were serving in France and in their hundred officers of the Territorial place were sent over a Army and Reserve. Some second lieutenants with 6 months' service while others were only who called back hurriedly to the Army uniforms of the last were were wearing war. Little wonder that the assortment felt the of the famous strange portraits generals in the building frowning on them. It due to the fact of the of were was perseverance General Paget that the course was a great success. All except a few of the students qualified. General Paget command of division before the end of the was given a shortly course; later he commanded the forces in central Norway but overwhelmed by numbers, he had to evacuate at not his but His Aandalnes, only own troops Norwegians as well. conduct during the withdrawal was highly praised in the House of Commons. Shortly after his return to England he was appointed Chief of General Staff to Home Forces, where his brother, to whom he hears a striking resemblance, was serving as a major. Early last year he was given the task of forming a new command - South Eastern Command. The command headquarters has hundreds of officers, clerks and drivers. General Paget’s capabilities, both as a commander and staff officer were well demonstrated by the fact that his huge headquarters were functioning smoothly in a few weeks. (Cont'd) - 2 - MAJOR-GENERAL ARCHIBALD EDWARD NYE At 46 General Nye is one of the youngest British Generals. He served for 14 months in the ranks before being promoted 2nd Lieutenant in December 1915 in the Leinster's, which is also General Sir John Dill’s old regiment. During the Great War he served in France and Belgium, was wounded and won the Since the M.C. war he has had experience as a staff officer in R.A.F. Co-operation at Aldershot and has served in India. He promoted after the was Brigadier shortly outbreak of war and Major General in the following year. He has been for some time Director of Staff Duties in the War Office where his quick brain and inexhaustible mental energy have produced great results. General is above medium and his dark hair and moustache and keen Nye height eyes are attractive features of a face which can be called handsome. He has which he whenever he the chance- one hobby passionately indulges gets walking. He is happier than when after breakfast for never leaving an early a tramp the Chilterns with of sandwiches in his and all the hours over a packet pocket of daylight before him. General Nye is married to a daughter of General Sir Harry Knox. LT. GEN. BERNARD LAW MONTGOMERY. Lt. Gen. Montgomery, known by all men who had served under him as "Monty”, is one of the most vigourous and go-a-head generals in the British Army. Short, with clipped he is dressed. spare, moustaches, always immaculately He commanded division during the Battle of France and return to a on England was given command of a corps and promoted, to Lieutenant-General. Last April, he was transferred to command an import put formation in south-east England. The General is stickler for with the job. Within few days of a getting on a his arrival to his new command he had visited all the defences and addressed all officers including Home Guard, giving a brilliant appreciation of the,situation. He thinks that no staff officer can think clearly unless he is physically fit, and from 7 to 7.15 a.m. every morning he ordered physical training for all officers and clerks of his Headquarters under 40 years of age. All officers and other ranks, from the private to in the autumns of their ordered to youngest brigadiers careers were run 4 to 6 miles each week over a course which the General changed, from time to time. It always included plenty of obstacles and water ways. The General is his most of the day and all his office visiting troops normally work is done between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. He retires to bed punctually at 9.30 every evening and rises early in the morning. He organized intensive exercises for his troops which included the dropping of parachute troops. He is a great believer in parades and smartness in turnout. The General often accompanies his troops on their weekly run and at the age of 54 is probably as fit as he was in 1908 when he joined the Royal Warwicks as Second Lieutenant. He had distinguished service in France during the last war, both as a regimental officer and a staff officer. Please note with reference to the of Sir John Dill in handout 22 biography issued earlier that his C.I.G.S. dates from May today, appointment as 1940, not May of last year. MINISTRY OF INFORMATION. 13/11/41 - No. 28 Air Ministry News Service Air Ministry Bulletin No.5641 CAPTAIN BALFOUR'S RETURN Captain H.H. Balfour, M.C., M.P., Under Secretary of State for Air, returned from his official mission to the United States in connection today math to Russia. supplies Mr. W.A.Harriman and the Rt. Hon. C.R.Attlee travelled to this in country the same aircraft. 18.11.41 - No. 33 Air Ministry No. 5643 AIR MINISTRY COMMUNIQUE Our fighters, including number have been a carrying bombs, over Northern France to-day. A factory and was bombed, a warehouse, a goods train and railway yards were machine-gunned. Off the French small attacked with coast, a enemy ship mas gunfire. When the vessel last the funnel mas seen, only mas showing shove water. One enemy fighter was destroyed. of Coasted Command this afternoon attacked Beaufighters an enemy patrol vessel the Dutch coast. Numerous hits with off mere obtained, cannon and machine-gunfire, on the bridge and near the engine room. No aircraft is missing from any of these operations. 18/11/41 - No. 30 SIR JOHN DILL The following statement was issued by Sir John Dill tonight: I have always been anxious that the young men in the Army should got That if the older to them. You all know on. can only happen men give way General Brooke and his fine record. I hand over the duty of Chief of General Staff to him with the confidence. Imperial greatest General Paget also know and he is certainly one of our finest you Generals. The new Vice Chief of Imperial General Staff is an Officer of old regiment, whom I have long marked out for rapid advancement. my replaces General Pownall, who is required for He, as you know, a very important appointment which will be announced before long. Of course, I need hardly add that I leave the Service, which I have with the but I glad to with bitterness. loved, deepest regret, am say, no MINISTRY OF INFORMATION 18/11/41 - No.31 MAJOR GENERAL NYE ADDITION TO BIOGRAPHY Please add to the of Major-General Archibald biography Nye; ”Major-General Nye was born in Dublin and was the son of a soldier. He was educated at Duke of York’s School, which is for the sons of Non-Commissioned soldiers. He has commanded every kind of formation in the British Army from a Section of 8, to an Infantry Brigade.” MINISTRY OF INFORMATION 18/11/41 - No.34 Air Ministry New Service Air Ministry Bulletin No. 5642. FIGHTERS OVER FRANCE AGAIN A 500 ton ship sunk in the in Northern was Channel, a factory France wan severely damaged and a Me. 109 was destroyed by fighters during the R.A.F. offensive operations today. The ship was found by Spitfires near the French coast. All the aircraft in the formation immediately dived down and opened fire from funnel height, one after another. Clouds of steam and smoke at once enveloped the ship and, the fighters turned away, it to he as was seen completely submerged, except for the funnel. Hurricane-bombers carried out the attack the pilots of on factory, fighters escorting them saw their bombs exploding on the buildings. On their the of the Hurricane-bombers and their escort "shot way back, pilots up" a train in station and other targets alongside canal. goods a a The Me. 109 which shot down by squadron patrolling was destroyed was a high over the Channel. Other German fighters, severely damaged, are unlikely to have reached their base, but are only claimed as "probably destroyed." Tuesday, November 18, 1941 MINISTRY OP INFORMATION NEWS BULLETIN No. 519 HOSTELS FOR 6,000 IN THREE MONTHS One hundred and hostels have been built by the of Works in fifty Ministry three months to house 6,000 agricultural workers all over England and Wales. This represents half of the laid down by the Ministry, which over programme agreed to build 289 hostels for the Ministry of Agriculture. A further 50 will be ready for occupation by the end of November. Generally speaking the which of simple standard design and hostels, are house either 30 or 50 workers, are pre-fabricated. Various materials have been used in the construction of the pre-fabricated sections, to avoid making an undue call on particular structural material and to allow all sections of any industry to contribute to rapid progress. The architect each site, given carte blanche to make of on however, was use the materials most obtainable in the and in instances readily neighbourhood, some the huts were made of bricks. Each hostel is self contained of three blocks dormitory, a unit, composed - "ablution" and welfare. Each block is furnished simply but adequately and the with shower kit occupants are provided bunks, baths, baths, cycle racks, rugs, boxes, tables, chairs, cupboards, sideboards, bedding, kitchen equip- bookcases, mirrors, ment, cutlery, crockery, cleaning materials, etc. On average it has been found that, allowing for bad weather conditions, 14 men build one hostel in 12 weeks. Ministry of Works & Buildings. M.o.I. 1. "START AT ONCE BUREAUX" WAR WORK HUSTLE War Work Bureaux where volunteers can sign at once and start work immediately without the formality of to the Labour will be feature a separate journey Exchange a of the war work recruiting drive which opens in Ealing, Acton and Wembley on Wednesday, November 19. Enquirers will see war workers actually at work and a Ministry of Labour official will be at each to deal with the The on duty Bureau problems on spot. drive, which will last until December 6, will include the showing of films, exhibitions, displays and public meetings. On November 23 at 3 the Sunday, p.m. Rt. Hon. Ernest Bevin, Minister of Labour and National Service, will speak at Wembley Town Hall. He will be Guard of Honour of 20 A.T.S. girls and 20 given a war workers from the locality and will the exhibition and war work bureau, where open every aspect of war work will be explained and demonstrated. Similar exhibitions and work will be at the following war bureaux opened places: WEMBLEY: Eastern’s Road, Wembley - to be opened at Stores, High 11 November 19, the Mayor of Wembley. a.m. Wednesday, by EALING: Eastern’s West Ealing, W.l3.- Stores, 99, Broadway, Opening Mayor of Ealing at 11 day. by a.m. same Sayers Stores, Western House, Broadway, Ealing, W.5. - Opening Mayoress of Ealing, 11 day. by a.m. same ACTON: 154, High Street, Acton - Opening at 11 a.m. same day by the Mayor of Acton. Ministry of Information M.o.I. 2. (Cont.) M.O.I. News Bulletin No. 519, 2. Page BRITAIN’S NUMBER ONE TELEGRAPH BOY George Paterson of Aberdeen Post is Britain’s Lawrie, Office, Number One telegraph boy. He has gained the first place in the Boy Messengers’ examination for permanent employment in the Post Office. The competition is open to all the messengers in the United Kingdom outside Inner and Laurie of 889 with 419 marks out of London, came top a possible 500. months He is l6 1/2 years of age and has had two years and three service in the Post Office. -- General Post Office. M.o.I. 3. A.M.B. No. 56 28 NOT FOR PUBLICATION, BROADCAST, OR USE ON CLUB TAPES BEFORE 0830 HOURS ON TUESDAY, 18th 1941. NOVEMBER, THIS EMBARGO MUST BE RESPECTED OVERSEAS BY PREFACING ANY MESSAGES SENT WITH THIS EMBARGO. ROYAL AIR FORCE AWARDS NO. 297. The King has been graciously pleased to the approve following awards in recognition of gallantry displayed in flying operations against the enemy:- BAR TO THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS. Flight Lieutenant John Randall Daniel BRAHAM, D.F.C. No. 29 Squadron. Since January, 1941, this officer has carried out many operational sorties at night during which he has destroyed 6 hostile aircraft, bringing his total victories to at least 7 destroyed, 1 probably destroyed and further 2 His a damaged. most recent success was one night in October, 1941, when he intercepted a raiding aircraft, and, following a burst from his at short range, the raider went down in flames guns finally crashing into the sea. This officer has always shown the utmost zeal and keenness, and has flown with great skill in adverse weather conditions on many occasions. Flight Lieutenant Petrus Hendrik HUGO, D.F.C., No. 615 Squadron. Since early in September, 1941, this officer has participated in numerous attacks on enemy shipping, during which some 35 vessels have been either sunk, set on fire or damaged; also several E boats in 2 further attacks. Other losses were damaged sustained by the enemy were a petrol storage tank which was set on fire, and one of their aircraft destroyed. In the execution of operational tasks necessitating the greatest skill and determination, Flight Lieutenant Hugo has displayed high qualities of leadership and courage. Although he has been operational flying since the continuously engaged on war began his enthusiasm remains unabated. DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS. Leader Eric THOMAS. No. 611 Squadron. Acting Squadron Hugh This officer has been actively engaged in operational flying the Battle of Britain. since August, 1940, when he fought in has in 60 sorties territory since the He participated over enemy of and has at least 3 aircraft beginning 1941, destroyed enemy and shared in the destruction of another; he has also damaged an patrol ship. Since assuming command of the squadron, enemy Thomas has displayed great skill Squadron Leader consistently and leadership and has contributed materially to its high morale. -2- NOTES ON CAREERS. Flight Lieutenant Braham, D.F.C. born at BATH in and was 1920 was educated at Mill Hill, Taunton School and Blackburn Grammar School. He commissioned in 1938. He the was won D.F.C., as a Flying Officer, in January 1941. Flight Lieutenant Hugo D.F.C. born in 1917 at VICTORIA was WEST, CAPE PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA where his home still is. He was educated at the WITWATERSRAND Technical and commissioned College was in the R.A.F. in 1939. He the D.F.C. in 1940 when won August a pilot officer. It was then stated (A.M.B. NO. 1416):- "Pilot Officer Hugo has displayed great keenness to engage the enemy on every possible occasion. During June and July 1940 he destroyed five enemy aircraft." Acting Squadron Leader Thomas was born in 1917 at TUNBRIDGE WELLS, where his home still is. He was educated at Rose Hill School, Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge School. He was commissioned in 1936 and has since served on flying duties. He was promoted Acting Squadron Leader in June 1941. Directorate of Public Relations, Air Ministry, Whitehall, S.W.1. 18th November, 1941.