WAR ITEMS

Grey River Argus, 11 September 1941, Page 1

WAR ITEMS

LONDON, September 9. The occupation of Spitzbergen is described in Berlin as a typical prestige move, obviously aimed at stiffeniiig the Soviet's back. Germany has little interest in Spitzbergen economically. The British justification, that the step was taken to prevent Germany using the coal mines, is farfetched. , ... A number of Free French officers and other ranks arrived with the Norwegians from Spitzbergen. It is expected that most of them will join the. Tree French forces in Britain. It AS Officially stated that the strength of the Vichy forces in Syria at the signing of the convention, was •27,000, of which number 13,000 have since joined the Free French. A decree, signed by Hitler, Goering, Frick and ‘Dr. Lammers, a member of the Cabinet, provides imprisonment for faulty production of war materials, for endangering explosives. arms, food-stores, or torests by smoking, also for extreme profiteering, or attempting to use talse identity papers. The beginning of waste metal drives throughout the country was announced by the Princess Royal m a broadcast to-day. She asked listeners to picture a' convoy of ten or a dozen ships with an escort of naval aircraft.

“Multiply that tenfold and you will have an idea of the shipping saved, thanks to 400,000 tons of waste metal already salvaged from hemes m Britain. Scrap metal collected through council schemes alone will add another 400,000 tons, but we want more t 0 pile up the home reserves until the safety margin is reached,” she said.

Replying to a Commons question, as to whether he would consider inviting Mr. Menzies and other Dominion statesmen to visit London for consultation, and to consider the formation of an Empire War Cabinet, Mr. Churchill replied: “I am net prepared to deal with matters of this consequence and scope, by answers at question-time. Britain is in continual contact with all the Dominions upon these subjects, and announcements will be made regarding any decision reached from time to time.” LONDON. Sept. 8.

The Moscow radio stated that thousands of anti-Fascist namphlets, circulating throughout Italy, demand Italy’s withdrawal from the war and the removal of Germans from Italy, and the prohibition of the dispatch of food to Germany from Italy. RUGBY, Sept. 7.

A Nottinghamshire farmer, Mr Harry Broadberry and his wife, Amelia, both received the British Empire Medal in the latest list of awards.

When an aircraft manned by a Polish crew crashed and caught lire, the Broadberrys heard it fall and hurried to the scene. They went first to the assistance of two badly injured oilots who were lying close to the burning aircraft, and with the aid of two members of crew, who were in a very dazed condition, they dragged the injured men clear of the flames.

The rear-gunner was trapped in his turret, and Mr Broadberry obtained an axe, and worked in intense heat for an hour and a-half before he extricated the gunner. In this he had the assistance of his wife, who had rendered first aid to the injured pilots. During- this time the petrol tanks blew up and ammunition was continually exploding. The Broadberrys showed a complete disregard for their own safety and as a result of their courage and endurance, three lives were saved.