"THE GANGSTERS."

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 218, 13 September 1940, Page 8

"THE GANGSTERS."

AMERICAN VOLUNTEER UNIT: STRICTLY OUTSIDE U.S.A. LAW. .It is well known that many Americans have volunteered to serve witli the British forces, specially in the Air Force and with the Canadians. Something new, however, was recently discovered in London in the form of a mobile defence unit against parachutists, formed and drilled secretly, lest the American State Department be embarrassed. It is composed of 60 Americans with property and interests in Britain. The commander is Brigadier-General Wade Hampton Hayes, retired, aged 61, and former editor of the old Nsw York "Tribune." He was a member of General Pershing's staff in the Great War. Another leading spirit is Mr. Charles -Sweeney, of the Federation Bank and Trust Company, a brother of the well .known golfer Robert Sweeney, who won the British amateur championship in 1937. It was Robert, says "Time," who helped the group lay hands on 100 Thompson sub-machine-guns and some Winchester automatics. The British authorities have let them have 10 heavily-armoured cars, six motor cycles, a quantity of heavy automatic arms and ammunition, radio equipment and' a special wavelength. They train with the Scots Guards every week-end and attend evening lectures three times a week. Strictly outside United States law, the new unit was nicknamed "The Gangsters." ,