WAR NEWS

Grey River Argus, 8 January 1941, Page 5

WAR NEWS

Sheffield’s “Blitz’ KING AND QUEEN INSPECT DAMAGE. (Received January 7, 8.5 p.m.) LONDON, January 6. The King and Queen visited the city of Sheffield to-day. 'lhe'y toured the areas which had suffered damage and casualties during Hie night raid on the city thre e weeks ago. Their Majesties were warm.y welcomed by a crowd which included many bereaved and homeless. As well as talking to many groups in the streets, Their Majesties also visited the industrial areas of th e town. At the works of Thomas Firth and John Brown, the managing director, Mr. Allan Grant, who was knighted in the New Year Honours, knelt before the King, who, borrowing *> sword from his equerry, performed the time-honoured ritual amidst the applause of the workers.

EAST AFRICAN FRONT. (Received January 7, 8.10 p.m.) NAIROBI. January 6. Mr. Vleeschauwer. with Mr. Ryckmans (Governor-General of Congo) and General Ermens (Commander of the Congo forces) have arrived here to discuss co-operation with East Africa in the prosecution of the war.

NEW ZEALAND CASUALTIES. IN WESTERN DESERT. WELLINGTON, January 7. The following casualties in the N.Z.E.F. overseas were announced to-night:— Lance-Sergeant Thomas Alfred Noel Vine, —wounded in the Western Desert. Hi's mother is Mrs W. A. Kruse, Paihia Road, Onehunga. Private Berkeley Kristian Bunbury,.—died of sickness. His mother is Mrs Bunbury, Rautangata, West Whangarei. INDIANS CAPTURE ITALIANS. (Received January 7, 9.20 p.m.) DELHI, January 6. Indian troops took prisoner 240 Italians after recapturing a picket post, north-east of Kassala on the Eritrean-Sudan border. The Italians captured this point in an effort to relieve constant harassing pressure against the garrison of Kassala, but the Indians outflanked the enemy and broke down the resistance.

ITALIAN SCHOONER. CAPTURED BY BRITISH DESTROYER. i LONDON, January 6. When an Australian destroyer fired on the Italian motor-schooner Zingarelli, in the Mediterranean, nine British soldiers imprisoned in the hold dashed up, opened the hatchway, overpowered the guard, and battened down the hatches, imprisoning 115 Italian soldiers and sailors. A British sergeant then forced the captain of the schooner to follow the destroyer to an Egyptian port. Fourteen hours later the British marched their prisoners ashore at Solium. The nine Britishers reported to the Desert headquarters, ready for the next job. The captain of the destroyer said that the Italians apparently intended taking their prisoners to Tobruk, as show-pieces.

KING FAROUK’S MESSAGE. RUGBY, January 6. It was reported from Cairo, to-day, that on learning of the fall of Bardia, King Farouk sent a 1 message of congratulation to General Wavell. The Dominions Secretary (Lord Cranbourne), telegraphed to the'Australian Prime Minister, as follows: “Heartiest congratulations on the memorable part played by the Australian forces in the victory at Bardia. By their courage and dash they have added fresh lustre to their name, and have rendered inestimable service to the common cause.”