BROADCAST BY CURTIN

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23589, 17 March 1942, Page 5

BROADCAST BY CURTIN

COMMENT BY “THE TIMES” “DANGER TO BRITAIN NOT EXTINGUISHED” (Received March 16, 10 p.m,) LONDON. March 16. "The Times,” in a leading article on the broadcast to America by the Australian Prime Minister (Mr J. Curtin), says: “Mr Curtin might have added that the Battle of the Atlantic still has to be ceaselessly maintained. He also might have qualified what he said about the Battle of Britain. “It is not always understood in Australia and America that the victory in the Battle of Britain has not extinguished the air danger to Britain. Large concentrations of German aeroplanes are still stationed in the semicircle of airfields half surrounding the British Isles, some of which are only a few miles from Britain's most populous cities. A serious weakening of Britain’s air or other defences would invite attack. ' "Britain is the essential base from which the (Inal offensive must be launched. She is still the greatest arsenal for democracy, and last year British factories produced twice the American output of arms and other supplies. British production will remain a vital factor and cannot be exposed to any risk of interruption without peril to the whole Allied effort.” DI TCH FIGHT ON IN SUMATRA (8.0. W.) RUGBY, March 15. The Vich.V radio quotes a Tokyo statement that Netherlands East Indies troops are still fighting in the mountains in the north and centre of Sumatra. EVACUATION OF RANGOON LOOTING AND RIOTING IN CITY (Received March 16, 7 p.m.) CALCUTTA. March 15. It is revealed that convicts and lunatics were released before the British evacuated Rangoon, and (he city became a prey to looters and rioters. The Burmese were annoyed at the failure of the authorities to tell them frankly about the progress of the war. Newspapers closed down without warning, leaving the citizens without information. While 800 assembled trucks delivered under Lend-Lease aid were being burnt at a civil depot a Royal Engineers unit was trying with unskilled labour to unpack and assemble other trucks on the wharves. RESCUE OF R.A.A.F. MEN EVACUATION FROM ISLAND BASES (8.0. W.) RUGBY. March 15. Further interesting details are available regarding the evacuation of Royal Australian Air Force men from northern island bases. The transfer occupied two nights, and was completed by March 2 in the morning. Meanwhile, the Australians were dive-bombed and machine-gunned by (he Japanese, who attempted to destroy the Australian aeroplanes. To reduce weight to a mimmUTn all the men stripped to the waist before embarking. rr wenty-three were packed into aeroplanes normally carrying 13. Because of the danger of the aeroplane losing its equilibrium during the take-off the men gathered near the pilot's end of the machine except the wounded, who lay on the floor at the other end. The bombers had only 700 yards’ runway. PRISONERS HELD BY JAPANESE APPEAL TO RED CROSS (Received March 16. 7 p.m.) LONDON, March 15. Dr Paravicini, at present the International Red Cross delegate in Tokyo, is appealing to the Japanese Red Cross on behalf of Allied military and civilian prisoners. Dr Paravicini will place his appeal before Mr Shimadzu. the leading figure of the Japanese Red Cross, which before the war was an influential body representing the strongest democratic sections in Japan. Since the war the strength and standing of the Japanese Red Cross are not known.