HIS MAJESTY’S TOUR

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 December 1939, Page 8

HIS MAJESTY’S TOUR

WESTERN FRONT INSPECTION [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] LONDON,'December G. The largest concentration of troops in the British zone since the out break of war begun at dawn for the second day of the King's tour of the Western front. General Lord Gort and the Duke of Gloucester again accompanied His Majesty. Thousands assembled at the numerous points* which the Kin: visited in his SO miles’ journey. The sky was clear and it seemed just the weather to tempt the enemy aircraft into the sky, and for this reason protective patrols circled overhead continually. The King covered several miles on foot. He saw the operations room at a Royal Air Force aerodrome and studied the way the movements of hostile aircraft are recorded. At the invitation of the commanding officer the King gave orders by telephone to a patrol of fighter aeroplanes, which was in the air within 30 seconds. . He spoke to a number of pilots, including a 24-year-old officer who is credited with bringing down the first German machine in France. “A jolly good show,” the King remarked. His Majesty lunched with several French generals in an eighteenthcentury chateau where Napoleon slept and where the Duke of Wellington had his headquarters. TALK WITH CORRESPONDENTS (Recd. December S, 10.30 a.m.) RUGBY, December 7. The King’s inspection of units of the British Expeditionary Force in France, which yesterday included visits to aerodromes, a review of a Guards regiment, and a parade of several thousands of troops belonging to various brigades, was resumed early to-day, following a brief conversation with war correspondents on the terrace of a chateau where His Majesty spent the night. The distinguished French writer, M. Andre Maurois, and the doyen of British correspondents, Sir Philip Gibbs, were among those with whom the King conversed. Later, accompanied by the Duke of Gloucester and General Gort, the King left for a tour of the areas in which the units of the force' are stationed. LUNCH WITH FRENCH LEADERS (Recd. Dec. 8, 2.15 p.m.) LONDON, December 7. His Majesty, accompanied by General Gort and the Duke of Gloucester, lunched with M. Lebrun, M. Daladier, and high Allied officers, at a tiny restaurant in a provincial town behind the lines. They exchanged cordial toasts. The French statesmen motored from Paris. They expressed delight at the further evidence of the strength and solidarity of the entente. During the third day’s tour of the British sector, His Majesty travelled over 300 miles. He visited the headquarters of anti-aircraft batteries, arm-oured-car units, and regiments of the line, and traversed muddy communication trenches. He was greatly amused by the gunners’ dug-outs, which are placarded with cartoons of the English and German leaders, and a caricature showing Herr Hitler going skyward on top of a shell. PATROLS ACTIVE RUGBY, December 7. A French official communique states: During the night, there was marked activity by patrols on cither - side, with consequent artillery reaction. The Paris radio, amplifying the communique, says that the enemy attacks were more violent over-night The Germans were obviously seeking prisoners, but they were not successful. A Nazi raid was repulsed west of the Vosges. The Germans are continually using minnenwerfers on the Wissembourg sector, where the French beat back a new attack.

There is no change, generally, on the whole front.