Losses in Poland

Grey River Argus, 23 October 1939, Page 8

Losses in Poland

GERMANS PAY DEARLY. RUGBY. October 20. It is officially stated that information reaching London from a reliable neutral source says that, there is every reason to believe that the German losses in men and material during the Polish campaign were much heavier than appears from German official statements. It is said that tanks and mechanised vehicles, in particular, suffered severely, and of those which survived a large number are in need of repair, and will not be fit for service again for some months.

According to the same source, the Polish Air Force acquitted itself with remarkable courage. Pilots whose planes were disabled hardly ever attempted to escape ny parachute, but deliberately crashed into one of the German machines, so that both might be destroyed together.

EMPIRE CONFERENCE.

RUGBY, October 20.

Colonel Deneys Reitz, Minister of Native Affairs in the Union of South Africa, has arrived in London. During his stay he will take part in discussions with Ministers here, and Ministers from overseas.

Mr. Anthony Eden (Dominions Secretary) announced in the Commons on October 4 that arrangements had been made for talks to take place between Ministers representing the Governments of the British Commonwealth “to co-ordinate to the best advantage the contribution which each can make to the common task.” Colonel Reitz was met at. the station bv Mr. Eden.

COMFORTS FOR SOLDIERS. CHRISTCHURCH, October 20. Provisions of comforts for the soldiers is the duty of the Government. That was the opinion of members of the Heathcote Countj' Council when consideration was given to the making of a grant to the new' patriotic fund. Advice from the Christchurch City Council was to the effect that at a recent conference it was decided to ask local authorities to consider making a grant as authority to do so was provided by regulations. Mr. A. G. Williams said it was premature to consider grants. “We do not know what is going to happen. It will be time to talk of grants in six months.”

“If we make a grant now’ we might ,find that we have another request later,” said Mr. J. T. Dickie. Calls would be made on all of them and they might be in the position of having to duplicate their grant, more or less. It was decided to withhold consideration of the proposal.