WAR DIARY

Franklin Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 25, 4 March 1940, Page 5

WAR DIARY

FROM DAY TO DAY OVERSEAS ENCIDENTS HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE CABLES Following is a summary of day to day incidents overseas, culled from the cable news:— March 1 : Russians pressing on in Finland. Fiercest attack of war launched on Yiipuri. Fall of city imminent.

Major Kermit Roosevelt, well-known American explorer, naturalised Britisher. to lead British volunteers in Finland. British fishing trawler when attacked by Nazi bomber, returns fire with Lewis gun and shoots down aeroplane. Artillery' action on the Western Front. French guns drop two Ger* man bombing planes. Royal Air Force machines again lly over Northern Germany. Thousands of leaflets dropped over Berlin. Dr. Goehbels, Nazi propaganda minister, says neutrality not only means military neutrality but political neutrality as well. He urges neutrals not to overlook this fact.

Germany and Italy have agreed that 30,000 Italian farm workers proceed to Germany this year. Raw materials short in Germany; several factories to close down. Mr Sumner Welles after visit to Italy visits Berlin but reports say “peace hopes damped.” German shipping losses by capture and scuttling represent six per cent of her total mercantile tonnage. British losses by enemy action, one point six per cent. Italy will enter the war if it spreads to the Balkans. March 2: Turkey prepared for any eventuality in the Middle East. Italy applies for permission to send her warships to the Black Sea to protect traffic. Finnish army pounded by Soviet shells, compelled to fall hack. War on neutrals continues by deliberate sinking of vessels. British trawlers attacked by aircraft which was driven off. Renewed activity on the Holland and Belgium frontiers by German Army. Frontiers may be closed again. Italian press violently attacks Nazis for brutality in Poland. Further hint that Germany is disturbed as a result of shortage of raw materials.

Hand to hand fighting on Western Front west of Merzig. Finns are opposed by 40 to one odds. Help urgently needed, but it may arrive too late.

Graf Spec wreckage reported to have been purchased by a Montevideo junk dealer. Germans exporting ■ coal to Italy. Britain tells Italy she can supply all Italy’s coal requirements.