BRITAIN’S CHANCE

Evening Star, Issue 23724, 4 November 1940, Page 7

BRITAIN’S CHANCE

ITALY’S KEY BASES NOW EXPOSED GREEKS' DARING PUSH MUST BE ASSISTED LONDON, November 3. (Received November 4, at 1.20 p.m.) The Balkans correspondent of ‘ The Times ’ says the Greek army, despite violent Italian counter-attacks, is steadily consolidating its gains won on November 1, when it captured the heights of Morova Planina, dominating Korea. The most immediate need is that the Greeks’ daring push shall be exploited fully by our forces, beafter the first week of war in this theatre it is abundantly dear that Mussolini has given the British undreamed of chances to strike back against Italy’s key bases. Prom the insistence of the Greek communique on violent artillery duels it is dear that actions are now progressing on a wider scale, evidently along the whole front. If the Greeks press the counter-attack, already resulting in the capture of the heights of Morova Planina, they would be able to drive south-westwards and attack the rear of the Italian forces striving to reach Janina, but to press homo the counter-attacks it is essential that the Greeks should bo able to break up Italian concentrations coming up for the defence of Korea, also for attack against the Greek positions on Morova Planina. In such breaking up British air action could well assist. ITALIAN COMMUNIQUE LONDON, November 3. (Received November 4, at noon.) An Italian communique says:' The action begun in Epirus is developing satisfactorily. Italian troops have overcome numerous defence lines which were well fortified obstacles. The air force bombed military objectives in Corfu, also Patras, Larissa, Janina, Salonika, and Canea. Two Italian planes have not returned to their bases. ADMIRATION FDR GREECE GENERAL DE GAULLE'S MESSAGE (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, November 3. (Received November 4, at 12.45 p.m.) General de Gaulle, in a telegram to General Metaxes, said: “ On behalf of all French people, those who are still fighting and those temporarily held in servitude by the enemy, I express to your Excellency and the Government and people of Greece our admiration and confidence that in safeguarding once more their independence the Greeks will give the world an example worthy of their ancient traditions. Together with our allies, we shall beat our common enemy.” General Metaxas replied: “ I warmly thank you for your telegram. All Greece is convinced that in the present grave moment of our history the hearts of all French people, without exception, are beating for the success of our just cause. The great French nation, which many times has followed the noble example of our ancestors and gallantly supported us at the time of our independence, could not but be with us once more.”

YUGOSLAVIA'S POSITION INTENDS TO REMAIN NEUTRAL BELGRADE, November 1. It is officially stated that Yugoslavia intends to remain neutral. She pursued long before the outbreak a constructive policy directed at friendly relations with her neighbours, especially Italy and Germany. Yugoslavia deeply regrets the ItaloGreek conflict, because pf her friendly relations with both, but hopes that further developments will not threaten her interests from either side. HAILE SELASSIE AWAITING OPPORTUNITY BOMBAY, November 3. (Received November 4, at 12.15 p.m.) Dr Martin, former Ethiopian Minister in London, has arrived on an undisclosed visit. He said Haile Selassie, who is at present somewhere in tho Sudan, is in constant communication with the chieftains, and will seize the first opportunity to recapture the country and regain the throne. Dr Martin claimed that over half Abyssinia was practically in Abyssinian hands. The Italians had failed to pacify the country despite the presence of 350,000 troops. OPERATIONS CANCELLED NO RAIDS ON GERMANY (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, November 3. (Received November 4, at 12.33 p.m.) On inquiry at the Air Ministry it was learned that last night’s bomber operations over Germany and occupied territory were cancelled because of the extremely unfavourable weather conditions.

AFRICAN FRONT

GREAT AERIAL ACTIVITY SHARP REVERSE FOR ITALIANS Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright CAIRO, November 1. An H.A.F. communique records great aerial activity in which eight Italian planes were shot down and four were so seriously damaged that they were unlikely to reach their base. A large force of enemy bombers, escorted by a dozen fighters, the communique states, attempted to attack targets at Mersa Matruh on October 31. R.A.F. fighters immediately engaged the enemy, destroying four bombers and four fighters. Two of our planes collided during the battle, but the pilots landed safely by parachutes. One of our fighters was lost, and another which was last seen engaging three bombers has not returned. R.A.F. bombers attacked Gambut and destroyed two planes on the ground. Bombs fell across an aerodrome at Menastir, destroying plane. BRITISH RAID ON TOBRUK. Tobruk was raided on the night of October 31, bombs falling in the target area.'. Two raids were made against Cliilga, where there is a concentration of motor transport. The target was bombed and machine-gunned. ■ , Raids were also carried out at Mersa Taclai, on the Eritrean coast, and also at Elgeiua, Karora, and Agordat, bombs falling in the target area at all these places. The enemy dropped a number of bombs on Peirim Island, causing damage. The R.A.F. attacked four places between Djibouti and Dircdawa, bombs falling on buildings and railway tracks at each place. All our planes returned from these operations except the battle of Mersa Matruh. ENEMY OVER MALTA INEFFECTIVE RAID MALTA, November 3. British fighters and anti-aircraft guns engaged large formations of enemy planes over the island yesterday and brought down tw r o. Thousands watched a thrilling battle. They saw a third plane on fire, and it was not expected to reach its base. There were no casualties. Some Government property and four houses were destroyed.

ITALIAN SUBMARINES TW4J LOSSES ADMITTED LONDON, November 3. An Italian communique issued to-day admits the loss of two submarines. GENERAL SMUTS'S TOUR VISIT TO KENYA FRONT (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, November 2. The South African Prime Minister (General Smuts) flew back to South Africa after a lightning tour of the Kenya front. He also visited Khartum. He said: “1 am tremendously heartened by all I have seen.” A Cairo communique states there is nothing new to report on ajl fronts. A Nairobi communique states; “Two South African Air Force Hurricanes intercepted three Italian planes and shot down two and severely damaged the other, which is believed to have crashed. Ours returned.” PATROLS ACTIVE IN THE SUDAN (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, November 3. (Received November 4, at 11.30 a.m.) A communique issued in Cairo on Sunday states; “In Egypt, Palestine, and Kenya there is nothing to report. In the Sudan, in the Kashala sector, our mechanised patrols have again been active.” HAZARDS OF WAR NAVAL CASUALTIES LONDON, November 3. (Received November 4, at 11.15 a.m. The Admiralty names 357 casualties from various hazards of war not connected with any particular operation or ship. The casualties on the cruiser Liverpool in the recent action in the Mediterranean, in which three Italian destroyers were sunk, were three officers and 60 ratings. A later message stated that the details of the casualties on H.M.S. Liverpool were: Three officers and 24 ratings killed, three ratings died of wounds, and 35 ratings wounded. UNOCCUPIED FRANCE DEGREE AGAINST LISTENING TO 8.8. C. VICHY, November 3. (Received November 4, at 12.15 p.m.) A regulation prohibits listening in a public place to the 8.8. C. and all other stations sending out “ anti-national propaganda. ”-

HITLER’S PLANS MISCARRY

NEW PEACE MOVE UPSET BY ITALIAN BLUNDER Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, November 3. The ‘ Sunday Dispatch ’ says that a new' peace plan by Hitler has been delivered to Washington via the American Embassy in Paris. It says that Hitler intended bringing the plan into operation on a basis of maintaining the status quo in Europe after bringing Franco and Spain into the Axis grouping and subjugating the Balkans. This meant Europe for Germany, Africa for Italy and Germany, Asia for Japan, and the British Empire for Britain. By this plan Hitler hoped to keep the United States out of the war and isolate the British Empire, which could be attacked after a short period of peace. Greece, however, resisted the Italian attack, Spain has not yet entered the Axis grouping, and even Marshal Petain’a France is proving difficult. The ‘ Observer ’ says, that, whatever the real explanation of the Italian blunder in placing the Italian mainland and the Rumanian oilfields within easy reach of British bombers, it is certain that Hitler will again be forced to modify his plans. A week ago it was generally expected that Hitler wmuld announce a “ new order ” in Europe as a fait accompli, with the object of impressing America with a reasonable offer to respect the British Empire in return for British acceptance of a German Europe. The Italian offensive, therefore, has surprised all neutral observers. What Hitler expected to be a new German diplomatic success is now converted into what appears to bo an acute diplomatic embarrassment. FAR EAST CONFLICT JAPANESE MOVING BACK AIR RAIDS ON NANNING CHUNGKING, November 2. Reports from Weilin state that the Japanese have evacuated Chennankwan, and also that 10,000 Japanese between Yamchow and Haiamotung are being attacked by the Chinese. It is said the Japanese at Pinghsiang are showing signs of withdrawing to Indo-Chiua. For this reason the Japanese evacuated the entire Kw'augsi province except Pinghsiang. Reports also stated that the Japanese bombed Nanning four times, attacking the water works and power plant, which, however, were undamaged. EVACUATION OF AMERICANS -FIRST GROUP SAILS SHANGHAI, November 2. The initial group of 200 American wives and children sailed for America aboard the President Pierce, to the accompaniment of an. impressive Japanese aerial demonstration, nine fighters zooming over the American Club, the Consulate, and the ship. AMERICAN TANKER STOPPED SENSATION IN INDO-CHINA TOKIO, November 1. The ‘ Yomiuri ’ correspondent, in a message from Hanoi, said the ludoCbina authorities had prohibited the departure of a Standard Company’s oil tanker,from Haiphong for Saigon. He said tliat, although it was uncertain whether the tanker was bound for Rangoon, such an action against an American vessel was unprecedented and therefore caused a sensation.

FRENCH NAVAL UNREST HOSTILE UNITS AT MARTINIQUE LONDON, October 30. A British United Press message from New York says that the crew of the French training cruiser Jeanne d’Arc, which is iu the West Indies, has declared for General de Gaulle. This information was received when a United States merchant ship arrived from the West Indies. A Reuters message from (N’ew York, quoting a New York paper, says according to the crew of this American steamer the French West Indies squadron is divided into two hostile units. At Martinique the morale of the crews is bad, and French sailors and soldiers are protesting against long .intervals without pay. DANUBE CONFERENCE NO MEETING FOR THREE DAYS RUSSIA'S GRIEVANCE AGAINST GERMANY LONDON, November 3. (Received November 4, at 1 p.m.) The 1 Daily Mail’s ’ Belgrade correspondent says the Danube conference bss not mot for three days. Soviet circles allege that the regime established by Germany on the Upper Danube places entire control of the river in German hands, whereas control of the maritime reaches from Braila to Sulina should be exclusively the right of Russia and Rumania.

THE HOME FRONT

MINISTER'S " INTERIM REPORT " CIVILIANS' PART IN BATTLE FOR BRITAIN THE FIRST ROUND WON (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, November 3. (Received November 4, at 10.43 a.m.) Giving what he referred to as his “ Interim Report,” the Home Secretary, Mr Herbert Morrison, spoke of Government action to assist the civilian population in carrying out its part in the battle for Britain when he broadcast to-day. Although the conflict between the German air force end the civilian population was only part of the battle, Mr Morrison stressed the vital importance of that part, and sard the whole future of war turned on successful resitance by the ordinary workaday people in Britain. “ You have won the first round and won it hands down,” he said. Mr Morrison emphasised that the Government’s effort could not bo concentrated on passive defence, for both active defence and preparations for offensive would suffer if supplies of steel, cement, and bricks were allocated solely to civilian defence measures. “ I have not come,” ho continued, “ to tell you how to be shut away from the rigour and stress of war as though you were unfit to play your part.” There was neither logic nor humanity in tolerating unnecessary danger or discomfort, and the policy of his department was to enable everyone to be safe and sleep comfortably and live as healthily as the onslaught allowed. Mr Morrison disclosed plans to increase the' supply of Anderson shelters, the provision of more basements properly reinforced, and schemes to talko advantage of the strength of modern buildings. Dealing with tile deep shelter controversy, Mr Morrison said whatever views some people may have held two years ago, the provision of such shelters for the w.hole or greater part of the population was now beyond the bounds of practical possibility. However, where ,place and circumstances made the construction of deep shelters practicable this would be undertaken, and London tube shelters would be extended by tunnelling, and in places where the slope of the land and the nature of the soil made tunnelling a relatively easy matter it would be begun. Mr Morrison disclosed that only one in six of London’s population used the public shelters, while the remaining 85 per cent, slept in houses, flats, Anderson, or communal domestic shelters. “ Some people are apt to forget them—the whole 85 per cent, of them,” he said.

Mr Morrison concluded: “You have repelled the Nazi attack splendidiy. You have had months of it and are still going strong and are ready if need be for more," Men and women of the cities and bombed areas, you are fighting a great fight in a great cause. You are an inspiration to free men and to men who would be free in all the world. I salute you. i am proud to serve you,” f ARRIVAL AT RAF. DEPDT NUMBER OF NEW ZEALAND AIRMEN LONDON, November 3. (Received November 4, at 1 p.m.) . A number of New Zealand airmen have arrived at an R.A.F. depot to complete their training. FREE FRENCH FORCES OPERATIONS BY NAVAL UNITS BRITISH PRAISE AND APPRECIATION (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Novembers 3. (Received November 4, at 1.10 p.m.) A communique from headquarters of the Free French forces etates that Admiral Muselier, Commander-in-Chief, inspected the Free French naval units which have regularly taken part in the operations of the British Fleet. The fighting spirit displayed by the crews of these ships frequently earned them official praise from the British command. The commander of a submarine of the Free French navy was recently awarded a D.S.O. for particularly distinguishing himself during operations. The crew of one destroyer and one sloop were also congratulated by the admiral commanding the British port for gallantry in difficult .circumstances qt sea. In addition an important ship of the fleet has, for the fourth time, succeeded iu bringing down a German plane. In conformity with French naval traditions Admiral Muselier during his tour had the pleasure of taking the salute from officers and men of the new French units recently put into service. He and the officers accompanying him had a warm welcome from the British naval authorities in the spirit of mutuol confidence existing between the British and the Free French fleets. RUSSIAN RESERVISTS FOURTEEN-YEAR-OLD LABOUR STUDENTS CALLED UP MOSCOW, November 3. (Received November 4, at 1.30 p.m.) Six hundred thousand 14-year-old labour students are immediately being called to the colours as reservists.

ENEMY AIR RAIDS

MORE PEACEFUL SUNDAY IN BRITAIN FLIGHTS BY SINGLE NAZI BLAMES LONDON HAS THREE HUNDREDTH WARNING (British Official Wireless.) Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright RUGBY, November 3. (Received November 4, at 12.15 p.m.) The official report of to-day’s enemy air activities over Britain records a more peaceful Sunday than has been experienced for some weeks. Dealing with the day’s raids, an Air Ministry and Home Security communique states;—Enemy air activity over tbis country during the morning and afternoon consisted of flights by a few single aircraft over some districts of the southern half of the country. Reports received to 5 p.m. indicate that a few bomb* were dropped, but the damage is not . serious. In some cases enemy aircraft dived from the clouds and delivered short bursts of machinegun fire. A. small number of casualties we.ro' caused in these attacks. One enemy bomber was destroyed to-day. One of our fighters was lost. The air raid warning this morning was the three-hundredth in London since the outbreak of the war. A raider dived from low clouds and machine-gunned streets in the London area this afternoon. People' scattered to shelter. There were many narrow escapes. The same raider later dropped several bombs, one of which hit a footbridge, There were several casualties. The German communique admits that seven German planes were lost over Britain and blames the had weather. -■

AIR LOSSES THREE-TO-OME RATIO GERMANS TOUCHING FIVE TNOUSANB MARK (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, November 3. (Received November 4, at 11.6 a.m.) The Air Ministry announced that the respective plane losses since the outbreak of the war are: — Britain ... ... ... 1,594 German 4,938 Italian 232

LOW-FLYING HORNIER —r~” LONDON STREETS MACHINE-GUNNED LONDON, November 3. (Deceived November 4, at 12.50 p.m.) Under a protective blanket of heavy mist London returned almost to. normal early to-night, with an alert for. several hours after darkness. Londoners were surprised later in the afternoon to hear violent anti-aircraft fire, accompanied by the hum of planes flying low. A Dormer machine-gunned churchgoers in the streets in two, London districts in the evening, causing several casualties, some fatal. The same raider was later, seen in distress after an antiaircraft battery went into action. A low-flying raider dropped five bombs in a Midland town in the afternoon. Another dropped 15 bombs on two East Anglian towns. PILOTS AND GUNNERS SHARE DORNIER (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, November 3. (Received November 4, at 12.35 p.m.) Fighter pilots and anti-aircraft gunners shared a German bomber between them to-day The machine, a Dornier 215, was first seen above the clouds over Esses by two Hurricane pilots. Both fired burst's and left it dropping slowly through the clouds with its engine silent and smoke pouring out. One of the Hurricane pilots dived within 10 yards of the bomber before it disappeared into the clouds. The German air gunner fired back. When the Dornier appeared below the clouds antiaircraft gunners spotted it. They saw that it was not quite out of action, and decided to finish the fighter pilots’ work for them, A few rounds brought the bomber crashing down near the Essex coast. This was the second German raider the gunners had a hand in destroying over the same spot within 24 houre. The fijjst was brought down in flames by anti-aircraft fire yesterday evening. BRITISH AIR STAFF APPOINTMENTS AHMUMEB (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, November 3. (Received November 4, at 12.45 p.m.) Air Chief Marshal Sir Wilfred Freeman has. been appointed Vice-chief of the Air Staff, replacing Sir Richard Peirse, who was recently appointed Commander-in-chief of the Bomber Command.