TEST OF DEFENCE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20569, 31 May 1941, Page 6

TEST OF DEFENCE

MOCK INVASION “FIFTH COLUMNISTS” BRITISH DETECTION (Elec. Tol. Copyright—United Press Assn.i (British Official Wireless } Reed. 1 p.m. RUGBY, May 30. The speed and efficiency with which the British defending forces will pounce on “fifth columnists” during any. invasion attempt is well described in an agency account of exercises carried out “somewhere in England." Six “fifth columnists” of the “German” force taking part in the exercises were all specially trained soldiers, fully alive to dangers peculiar to their duties. Three operated in uniform and three in civilian clothes. The leader, a sergeant, met with an unhappy early fate. Faulty information led him to the wrong headquarters and he was “written off.” Two other'uniformed “fifth columnists,” ranging the countryside on powerful motor c.vdles, were spotted by their own troops and “shot up” before they could establish thenidentity. Civilians’ Success The three civilians went on their way for a long time. One —an icecream merchant —was naturally welcome wherever he went. An invitation on the front of his barrow, "Stop me,” was readily complied with and much useful information went from him to. the “German”, headquar-, ters.

The other two civilians operated quietly among; the British ,-fdrees \ and passed back useful information to headquarters. Another “fifth columnist” operating as a soldier on leave in an area from another corps had a run for his “life” when he was being taken in by a sentry for interrogation.

As the outcome of the exercises the opinion is held that the Germans would never use the “fifth column” in Britain as in France and Belgium.