STRONGER THAN EVER

Evening Star, Issue 23727, 7 November 1940, Page 9

STRONGER THAN EVER

THE ROYAL AIR FORCE STRENUOUS DAYS FOR FISHIER SQUADRONS (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, November 6. (Received November 7, at 11.50 a.m.)] Sir Archibald Sinclair, Secretary for Air, to-day said that German attacks, pressed home with courage, resolution, and complete disregard for life and neutrality, had been in vain, and tha R.A.F. was to-day stronger both in aircraft and personnel than on the eighth, day of August, when the attacks began. The fighter squadrons were worked too hard and fought day and night, and until their ammunition had gone. Sometimes a pilot with all his ammunition shot away would ram a Nazi bomber rather than return. “ Ona pilot saw a German bomber making for home. He charged straight at him, but the German pilot put the nose of his machine down and dived straight into the sea," he said. “The German fighters were brave, but they were no match for our pilots, and they are afraid of these head-on attacks with our guns spurting bullets at them. On one occasion a formation of 18 Junkers bombers turned away from n, single Huricrane charging at them head-on." Sir Archibald Sinclair paid a tribute to the pilots of the Coastal Command, who ceaselessly patrol the enemy coasts, and mentioned the work of the balloon sections, and the searchlight and gun crews, as well as the Observer Corps, all of whom vitally contributed to the defence of Britain. It was a great mistake, he continued, to think that pilots were only concerned with defence, and he spoke ol the continuous attacks made by British bombing squadrons on German sources of military supplies. “ The weight oi our bombing,” he added, “ has increased, is increasing, and will continue to increase.”

IN AFRICA MINOR OPERATIONS (British Official Wireless.)' RUGBY, November 6. (Received November 7, at 11.3 a.m.)' A Cairo communique states that in Egypt yesterday enemy patrols southeast of Siddi Barani were succcessfuHy engaged by our artillery and forced to withdraw. In the Sudan our mechanised patrols have again been active in the Cassala sector, where casualties were inflicted on a party of the enemy who hastily, withdrew without returning fire. There is nothing of importance to report in Kenya and Palestine. ENEMY PATROL FORGED TO WITHDRAW CAIRO, November 6. (Received November 7,, at 12.15 p.m.)’ A communique states: Enemy patrols in the Kassala sector south-east of Sidi Barani were forced to withdraw. Mechanised patrols inflicted casualties on the enemy, who did not return the fire. EQUATORIAL AFRICA LAMBARENE OFFERS TO SURRENDER ELIZABETHVILLE, November 6. (Received November 7, at 10.55 a.m.)’ The inhabitants of Lambarene. offered to surrender to General de Gaulle. [A previous message read:—lt is stated from Vichy that Free French forces are reported to have advanced 307 miles in Equatorial Africa through, forest and brushwood from the Congo Valley, and have practically surrounded Lambarene. General Weygand is believed to be organising reinforcements, •which will be rushed off by air.] RECORD FORCED MARCH SOUTH AFRICAN TROOPS CAIRO, November 5. It is officially announced that South African troops established an Empire record forced march by covering 38$ miles in llj hours with a five-hour rest. BRIDGE OVER GRATER TRAFFIC PROBLEM SOLVED LONDON, November 5. A temporary bridge is being constructed to span a large crater m a London throughfare. It is intended to carry two single lines o'f traffic and carriageways, and will be about 60ft' x 10ft, with pedestrian footways on either side. It is hoped to finish thf bridge in three weeks. SWISS COMPLAINT NEUTRALITY VIOLATED BERNE, November 6. (Received November 7, at 12.40 p.m.)' A communique says that Switzerland’s neutrality was violated several times last night towards the southeast. Tho anti-aircraft defences dispersed one squadron and another was forced to turn without crossing the Alps.