EMPIRE’S MIGHT

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 69, 14 December 1939, Page 9

EMPIRE’S MIGHT

Greatest In History LONDON, December 12. The Minister of Supply, Dr. E. L. Burgin, in a speech said: “By any terms you care to employ, the Empire s war effort is gigantic. Well might Hitler have shrunk from being at war with the Empire. “We are under no illusion. We realize that our existence is menaced. Threatened, we take up the challenge. I believe it to be demonstrated that the effort which Britain is making is greater than anything comparable in history. Never has the might of iffie Empire been greater, nor the fighting forces better or more adequately equipped.” JOINT MANOEUVRES British And Egyptian Forces (Received December 13, 8.30 p.m.) CAIRO, December 12. A 21-hour state of emergency has been proclaimed in Lower Egypt, and the Suez Canal Zone, while the Britis-i and Egyptian army, naval and air forces carry out joint manoeuvres. Ihe main feature is a complete blackout of Cairo, Alexandria, Port Said, and Suez.

BALLOON BARRAGE

Extension Of System To Coastal Waters (British Official Wireless.) (Received December 13, 7.5 p.m.) RUGBY, December 12. Some 300,000 men are now engaged in balloon barrage work in Britain. When war broke out the barrage system was only a year old, but when the order was given, every balloon was on Its way to its predetermined site within 24 hours. To meet the changing circumstances there has already been considerable development in the use of the barrage, and it is revealed that mobile waterborne balloon barrages have been established in the Thames Estuary and at. other coastal points over which mine-sowing planes have been flying. PLANE HITS BALLOON CABLE (Received December 13. 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, December 12. A Fleet Air Arm plane hit a balloon barrage cable at Southampton and crashed. Four of the crew were killed.