BRITISH FORCES OVERSEAS

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25088, 21 January 1947, Page 7

BRITISH FORCES OVERSEAS

FURTHER REDUCTIONS EXPECTED RELEASES IN GERMANY AND JAPAN (Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 20. Further reductions in the strength of the British forces in Germany, Japan, and India are to be made shortly, according to military correspondents. A British brigade of approximately 4000 will be released shortly from service in Germany and replaced by Norwegians, who will be under British operational command. A fifth British brigade, numbering about 3000 men, will also be withdrawn from Japan. Most of the men will continue their service on other overseas stations, but some men of the Camerons, the Royal Welch Fusiliers and the Dorsetshires will be eligible to return home. These troops are to be replaced by Australians. Four age groups are to be released in the Indian Army beginning early this year. Officers already are being withdrawn and replaced by Indians, but technical personnel will remain until Indian replacements have been trained to take over their duties. Consideration will also be given later to reducing the strength of British military establishments in Greece, Austria, and Italy. LONDON TRANSPORT STRIKE ISSUES REFERRED TO COURT (Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, January 19. The Minister of Labour (Mr G. Isaacs) announced that the joint industrial council had failed to agree on the union claim arising from the transport strike and he had decided to refer the issues to a court of inquiry without delay. Attempt to Export Diamonds.—Two small metal wheels seized by customs officers at Mascot aerodrome, Sydney, were found to contain industrial diamonds and diamond dust worth £4700, according to statements in the special Federal Court to-day. William Stephen Bomba, a diamond tool manufacturer, , was charged with having attempted to export industrial diamonds and with, making ,a false customs declaration.: After confiscation, portion of one of the small wheels was broken off and examined in the laboratory, said a police witness. Diamonds and diamond dust were found inside. The case is proceeding.—Sydney, Jan. 20.