DOMINION TROOPS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20142, 11 January 1940, Page 11

DOMINION TROOPS

TONIC FOR THE BORED CHEERFUL PICTURES AUSTRALIANS POPULAR LONDON, Jan. 3. “There are no more cheerful pictures in the newspapers than those of the stalwart sons of Australia and Canada who have come to London,” says the Star in a leading article. “These bronzed youths, rejoicing in the double zest of their strength and a new adventure, are a fine tonic for the bored. These welcome visitors are the best testimony of the vitality of the young Dominions and their presence here is proof of the unity of the Empire. “We suggest that the Ministry of Information circulate these pictures to all the world as the best reply to German propaganda on our ‘crumbling Empire.’ ” Valuable Technique Acquired

“The English are treating us well, although we are stealing their girls.” said one of the Australian airmen to-day. The Australians modestly attribute their popularity to their dark blue uniforms, which British officers admit are smarter than those of the Royal Air Force. Australian officers emphasised that their men here are developing valuable reconnaissance technique, which could rapidly be applied in Australia if they were forced to combat sea raiders.

They point out that the Emden’s chances nowadays would be far slimmer than they were in the last war. Air patrols were forcing U-boats, which formerly impudently operated within 10 miles of the English coast, to remain submerged. Success of the Sunderlands One, after sinking a vessel, loitered on the surface, only to find a Sunderland flying-boat sweep from the clouds and drop a bomb on the conningtower. Sunderlands now have to travel many miles to find a U-boat. A spokesman for the Air Ministry paid a tribute to the success of the Sunderlands, which Australia had placed at the disposal of the British authorities.

The Australians’ arrival coincided with a cold snap, but they have enthusiastically taken up their routine work, including rowing out in the darkness to the flying boats, which are lit only by flares.