THE WAR, STEP BY STEP

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 94, 29 November 1939, Page 6

THE WAR, STEP BY STEP

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25.

Nazis introduce new method of laying mines when T planes drop them by parachute. Germany announces that at a suitable moment drifting mines will be laid along all the principal trade routes to Britain. Holland strongly protests against the British decision to seize German exports from neutral ships. Official communique says that the Dutch Government considers the dc cision to be of a disagreeable character. The majority of the Dutch steamship line have decided to continue the normal sailings, except for the area near the mouth of the Thame*. Belgium also protests on the grounds of economic losses and hopes that an understanding may be reach ed. According to the German High Command, 14 members of the exKaiser's i'amilj" are serving in various arms of the German forces.

The United States Ambassador to Britain, Mr .T. P. Kennedy, has been summoned to Washington to report to his Government.

Hitler holds conference with 120 high officers of the German forces and all the chicf figures in llic Nazi Movement. Hitler is reported to be basing his instructions on the experience gained in the campaign in Poland. His Majesty the King delivers speech l'rom the Throne. More Nazi aeroplanes are shot down on the Western Front. British fighters claim seven German victims without loss to themselves.. Four of the 'planes shot down have been officially confirmed as being Dornier 17's, which are the pick of the German reeonnaisance bombers. Eight more losses reported among merchant shipping and minesweepers. French Navy on the job with three more enemy submarines destroyed. Observers in Western Germany say that the impression behind the battle lines is that the German losses are much heavier than is commonly supposed. Trains full of wounded are frequently seen. French communique states that conditions arc fairly quiet on the Western Front with artillery lire nt various points. Mayor of Warsaw sent to a concentration camp at Dachau as a punishment for recent disturbances in the city. Put: Mayor was ope of those kept as hostages when the Ger mans entered the city. An official ftatement from The Hague states that the two Britons kidnapped in the frontier affray at Venlo were there for the purpose of discussing peace terms with representatives of the German Gov-

eminent.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 26

Intensive efforts by the naval authorities to combat the Nazi menace of drifting mines. Team of scien-

tists seeking counter measures for the magnetic mines. Naval officers consider that the magnetic mines form the secret weapon to Avhich Hitler referred some time ago.' R.A.F. casualty list issued and this contains the names of two New Zealanders killed on active service. Proposed Coalition Government for Roumania rejected by King Carol.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27

Admiralty announces two bomoing attacks on IJntish warships in the North Sea without result. German radio claims that four British warships suffered direct hits.

The German steamer Adolf Woermann scuttled by her crew in the South Atlantic in order to avoid cap ture by British warships. Crew and passengers picked up.

Air Ministry announces that R.A.F 'planes made another successful re-

connaisance over north-west Germany. Germans stage large air raids on the Western Front and are driven off with heavy losses.

Admiralty state that the cruiser J3elfast was damaged by a mine or torpedo in the Firth of Forth. Twenty of the crew were wounded. Two hundred German mines have been Avashed ashore on the Yorkshire coast. it is reported, but not confirmed, that the German 'pocket' battleship Deutschland, has been sunk in the South Atlantic by an Allied squadron. lta'-y anxious about the Balkans.