Late News

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 281, 22 August 1940, Page 10

Late News

BASES FOR U.S.A. Canadian Officials In Newfoundland LEASING DISCUSSED

(By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Received August 22, 1.40 a.m.) ST. JOHNS (Newfoundland) August 21.

The Dominion Air Minister, Mr. Power with leaders of the Eastern Command, lias arrived to discuss the leasing of air bases to the United States, which has been approved by Government members and the Press.

A member of the party said that strategic points on the Avolon Peninsula and the coastline bordering Cabot Strait should be fortified and air and naval bases should control the approaches to the St. Lawrence River. Newfoundland’s position in the Atlantic, it was declared, was the gateway to Canada and the “Singapore of the North Atlantic.”

ATTACK ON TOWN

Ninth Nazi Raider Down

On Tuesday

(Received August 22, 1.20 a.m.)

LONDON, August 21

It is learned that another air raider was shot down near the north-west coast last night, and four members of the crew were taken prisoner. This brought the day's total to nine planes. The Birtish losses were nil. An Air Ministry communique states that yesterday evening enemy planes attacked a town iu the southwest of England, where some bombs fell in a public park and others damaged houses near the railway station. A number of persons were injured, some of them fatally. Six of 14 houses in a row were demolished by dive-bombers over the south-west of England, and 30 to 40 people were made Homeless. It is revealed that the Dornier, which was brought down is of the newest type of liigh-wing monoplane. It has sleeping accommodation for four of the crew, and is 72 feet long, for a wingspan of 88 feet, a range of 2173 miles, and a maximum speed of 200 miles an hour. Searchlights revealed the plane and anti-aircraft guns brought it down. The British Whitneys, Wellingtons, and Hampdens are showing an extraordinary capacity to withstand the severe anti-aircraft fire that has been encountered recently iu raids over enemy territory. NAZIS’ AIR FAILURE Greatest Expectations Exceeded COMMENT IN CANBERRA (Received August 22, 12.15 a.m.) CANBERRA, August 21. The Prime Minister, Mr. Menzies, made a statement in Hie House of Representatives today on Germany's failure in the air. He declared: “The results of the recent raids on Britain have been even more satisfactory than our most optimistic expectations. The British defences were not in any way impaired but only slightly inconvenienced, and the British spirit of determination has been strengthened.” Mr. Menzies added that from the 156 British fighters that have been lost since August S no fewer tli-an 66 pilots have been saved.