FRONT LINE FIGHTERS

Evening Star, Issue 23497, 10 February 1940, Page 11

FRONT LINE FIGHTERS

CONSIDERABLE INCREASE IN STRENGTH MINISTER'S STATEMENT IN HOUSE (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, February 8. In thp House of Commons the Air Minister, Sir Kingsley Wood, was asked for a, statement on the effective front line fighter strength, in view of ‘‘ the nearing prospect of a mass air attack at least on shipping and ports.” Sir Kingsley Wood replied, “ 1 can certainly assure the House that considerable increase has been made in the effective strength of the fighter squadrons since the outbreak of war,” but be declined, on the grounds of public interest, to disclose if the Nuffield factory had reached the stage of regular output. WESTERN FRONT INCREASED PATROL ACTIVITY PARIS. February 8. A French communique reports activity of French patrols in various parts of the front. A Berlin communique announces increased activity by Nazi patrols generally with a view to ascertaining the strength of the positions of Allied forces. “We repulsed enemy patrols after a hard fight.” > GERMAN CLAIMS BERLIN, February 9. (Received February 10, at noon.) A communique states: “ The enemy lost several prisoners in a patrol encounter at Forbaoh.” The News Agency states: “The enemy lost six killed, several wounded, and four prisoners. The German patrol had only one killed. Despite the increased activity it is still impossible to contact the English, who are supposed to be in the front line.” HAD ENOUGH DF WAR GERMAN N.C.O. SURRENDERS BRUSSELS, February 9. (Received February 10, at 8 a.m.) A German non-commissioned officer slipped under the barrier on the Bel-gian-German frontier, and surrendered to the police. He said: “ I fought in the last war, when I was wounded four times.” running the' Blockade GERMAN SHIP LEAVES PORT RIO DE JANEIRO, February 8. The Koenigsberg sailed from Belem with 2,000 tons of rubber and an unusually heavy supply of fuel oil. The port authorities here believe that she may be forming a convoy at La Coruna (Spain) with the Wolfsburg in an attempt to run the blockade. CARGO OF MOLYBDENITE PROBABLY DESTINED FOR GERMANY SAN PEDRO, February 8. The Mayakovsky loaded 200 tons of molybdenite consigned to Leningrad, which is believed to be destined for Germany. The molybdenite has been lying here for weeks, and fruitless efforts have been made to despatch it aboard neutral ships, which feared British confiscation as contraband. HUGE PARADE IN DESERT AHGLO-EGYPTIAN FORGES CAIRO, February 8. The strength of Anglo-Egyptian defences was demonstrated when a huge parade was held on the Heliopolis Desert in the presence of King Farouk on the occasion of the visit of General Weygand, Lieutenant-general Sir Archibald Wavell, and Lieutenantgeneral Sir Roger Wilson. The troops were mainly mechanised. ITALY AND SOVIET EFFORT TO EASE RELATIONS ROME, February 8. The Soviet Charge d’Affaires (M. Helfand) has frequently conferred recently with Count Ciano in an effort to ease Italo-Russian relations. Trade representatives are discussing a commercial treaty to replace the agreement which lapsed on December 31. . Italy is keen to import more Russian naptha, because the revaluation of Rumanian currency has rendered Rumanian petrol too dear. DOMINION OFFICERS GUESTS OF LORD MAYOR LONDON, February 9. • (Received February 10, at noon.) A distinguished company, including the Duke of Kent, met dominion officers at Mansion House, where the Lord Mayor, who gave a luncheon to the officers, welcomed “ the men who have come thousands of miles at a great sacrifice to join the common cause.” He added that no gathering, at Mansion House could have a greater significance.

Such of the cable news In this Issue as is so headed has appeared in ‘ The Times ’ and is sent to this paper by special permission. It should be understood that the opinions are not those of ' The Times ' unless expressly stated to be so. Pistol shots were heard in a northern suburb on a recent Saturday afternoon. Enthusiastic gardeners were getting their runner beans smartly off the mark.