ALLIED CONVOYS STILL SAILING EAST

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 162, 10 July 1943, Page 5

ALLIED CONVOYS STILL SAILING EAST

MASSING IN PORTS

Nazis Seek Removal Of Vichy Headquarters N.Z. Press Association—Copyright Ree. 1.30 p.m. LONDON, July 9. A stream of Allied convoys is still sailing east in the Mediterranean protected by strong naval escorts, reports the Stockholm Svenska Dagbladet Berlin correspondent. They are constantly watched by Axis aircraft.

Also noticeable is the continuous concentration of war material and landing craft in ports now controlled by the Allies. New troops are arriving continuously.

Berlin radio says Field-Marshal von Rundstedt, commander of the German forces in the west, attended panzer manoeuvres last Wednesday, in which Luftwaffe units partici-

pated. Von Rundstedt later showed the Italian, General Vercellino, and other Italian and German visitors coastal strongpoints and centres of resistance. Reports reaching Switzerland indicate that the Vichy Government is considering moving to Versailles, says the Daily Telegraph's Berne correspondent. Shortly after the total occupation of France the Germans suggested to Vichy that there was no further obstacle to the transfer, but now, with an Allied invasion threatening, the Nazis are insisting on the move. They appear concerned lest in the midst of the confusion after landing the French patriots should get control of Vichy, deal with Laval and lay hands on Petain. Such a coup would sabotage any assistance against the invaders which the Germans expect from Vichy.

The Germans have ordered the evacuation of Sete, the French naval base on the Mediterranean coast, on the ground that it is an urgentlythreatened sector, says Reuters correspondent in Algiers. Hundreds of thousands of people also are moving from a string of towns in the extreme south of the Bay of Biscay, near the Spanish frontier. At a Press conference in Washington, General Giraud stated that he had reached an agreement with President Roosevelt about the equipment for the French invasion force of 300,000 men.

A NEW LONDON

PLAN FOR FUTURE Reconstruction Of Congested East End Areas N.Z. Press Association—Copyright Rec. 11.30 a.m. LONDON, July 9. A.n ambitious 50-year plan for the entire remodelling of London has been drawn up by Sir Patrick Abercrombie, the noted town-planner, and Mr. J. H. Foreshaw, the London County Council's architect, who has worked on it for two years. The main proposals are:— (1) An embankment and new cultural centre on the south bank of the Thames, also the extending of the Albert Embankment to London Bridge with new river bridges and tunnels, (2) Self-contained communities surrounded by open spaces and linked by new ring and radial roads. ■ (3) The decentralisation of 500,000 people with the resulting complete rebuilding of the congested areas, also provision for inexpensive West End flats for workers. The proposals are intended for immediate execution and include the reconstruction of 1500 acres of congested areas in Stepney and Poplar.

PROFICIENCY PAY FOR AUSTRALIAN ARMY Rec. 1 p.m. MELBOURNE, this day. Skilled Australian soldiers now receiving privates' pay, are to receive special proficiency rates. This decision, which puts the Australian Army in line with the British Army, will cost £1,800,000 a year. A proficiency pay rate of 6d a day will De granted, subject to good conduct, to privates who have completed six months' service and demonstrated their efficiency at a prescribed examination.