THE WAR IN THE AIR

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 265, 9 October 1939, Page 8

THE WAR IN THE AIR

SKIRMISH OVER SEA

AIRCRAFT IN ACTION. iVAZI PLYING BOAT LOSS. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—-Copyright.) (British Official Wireless.) Received October 9,2 p m RUGBY, Oct. 8. I lie Air Ministry announces that Koyal Air Force reconnaissance aircraft on patrol over tho North Sea encountered a flying boat of the German Air force to-dav. A combat took place, and the German flying-boat was shot down.

Alter the combat the pilot of one of tho It.A.F. aircraft saw the German crew in the sea clinging to the wreckage of their flying-boat. A ship in the vicinity was diverted to rescue them and the British aircraft resumed their patrol.

KING AND THE NAVY,

LNCO U R AGING WORDS SPOKEN,

CONFIDENCE IN SUCCESS

Received October 9, 2.30 p.m. LONDON, Oct. 8. Ihe King, in the course of his visit to the Home Fleet and auxiliaries at a northern base, boarded representative warships and inspected the officers and men of different classes, including armed merchant cruisers, patrol cruisers, base ships, minesweepers, drifters and tugs, and saw the air station base and establishment of the Fleet Air Arm aerodrome, where he decorated the airmen participating in the recent North Sea success.

His Majesty sent a message to the Commander-in-Chief of the Home Fleet (Admiral Sir Charles Forbes) emphasising his impression of the keen and cheerful spirit actuating all to bring the war to a successful conclusion. The task might be long and arduous but lie had every confidence of ultimate success. He conveyed appreciation of the efforts of all ranks and sincere wishes for their safe return. The Commander-in-Chief, replying, assured His Majesty of the Fleet’s loyalty, devotion and unswerving will to victory, however long their tasks.

FRENCH HOLD GROUND,

SURPRISE ATTACKS WITHSTOOD

(British Official Wireless.) Received October 9. 2.10 p.m,

RUGBY, Oct. 8. A French official communique tonight states: “Surprise enemy attacks in the region east of the Moselle have been repulsed. “There has been artillery action by both sides to the south and south-west of Saarlouis.”

MARK OF THE SOVIET,

IN WHITE RUSSIAN AREA

SOCIALISATION PROCEEDS.

Received October 9, 1.35 p.m. LONDON, Oct. 8,

The Times Moscow correspondent says it is intended to elect a National Convention for the White Russian section of conquered Poland in order to vote Western White Russia into the White Russian Soviet Socialist Republic and thereafter into the Soviet itself. . , It is planned to confiscate landlords estates for the benefit of the peasantry and nationalise the banks and largescale industry. The provisional Administration at Bialvstok has created a committee to organise the election of deputies to the National Convention. It has circularised municipal administrations inviting the appointment of representatives. , t , Russia has ratified the ltusso-Lat-vian mutual assistance pact.

SOVIET PRESS ATTACKS

ANTI-BRITISH CAMPAIGN

Received October 9. 1.50 p.m. LONDON, Oct. 8

The Moscow correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says the Press is increasingly and violently attacking British policy.

LOSS TO DENMARK. SLAUGHTERING INTERRUPTED. Received October 9, 1.50 p.m. LONDON, Oct. 8. The Copenhagen correspondent of the Times states that all of Denmark’s slaughterhouses will cease work to-morrow because of the cessation of exports and the overfilled stores The resumption of work depends on the result of the negotiations between Germany and Denmark for the release of three ships, and the conclusion of adequate arrangements for shipping to stoppage represents a loss of £IO,OOO a day.

UNREST OF CZECHS

AWAITING THEIR CHANCE.

‘LONDON, Sept. 25. It is important that too much emphasis should not be given to the current reports of revolt by the Czechs in Bohemia-Moravia (states the Sydney Morning Herald’s correspondent). There has been unimportant fighting at Brno (Brunn) and Zlin, in Moravia, of Czech police against German soldiers, because the Czechs refused to act against tlieir compatriots . The general unrest in BohemiaMoravia, however, is confined at present to passive resistance. ' Czech girls will not speak to the German soldiers, and the Czechs gen--1 era 11 v refuse to speak the German language or patronise Gernian shops, despite the threats of drastic reprisals. Cafes are believed to be contemplating establishments for Germans on y, as the Czechs walk out when the Germans enter. Underground organisations exist and indulge at present in minor sabotage and street affrays, despite the ruthless activity of the Gestapo, the German Secret Police. Visitors who have been in Prague recently believe that the Czechs do not contemplate serious . opposition until Germany is fully occupied and is suffering reverse. Meanwhile the attitude of careful icstraint suggests that the Czechs consider that thennext effort will, perhaps, be their last chance of rehabilitation, and that, consequently, they must not jeopardise it by a premature move.

TALKS WITH BELGIUM

CONDUCT OF TRADE. NAZI REMARKS DENIED. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (British Official Wireless.) Received October 9, 1.55 p.m. RUGBY, Oct. 8. According to a Ministry of Information statement, negotiations between the Belgian trade delegation which has been visiting London and the British authorities have been making good progress. The object of the negotiations is to reduce to a minimum any temporary adverse effects on Belgium of the measures taken by Britain to cut off supplies going to Germany through Belgian ports. A broadcast this evening by the German wireless station to the effect that the negotiations had broken down is thus completely untrue. Equally misinformed is a German statement that the object of the .negotiations is “to relax the blockade of neutrals.”

There is naturally no blockade of anv neutral country. The British Government desires to maintain friendly relations with Belgium to their mutual advantage. At the same time, she will continue to intercept cargoes destined to support Germany’s war efforts, even if these are on their way to Germany through Belgium. 'lne talks are progressing well, but Britain will continue to intercept cargoes destined to support the Germans’ war efforts and this raises very complex questions concerning which the Belgian negotiators have returned to Brussels to consult their Government.

OIL SHORTAGE.

CRISIS IN GERMANY

DISCLOSURE BY AMERICAN

Received October 9, 2.50 p.m

WASHINGTON, Out. 8.

The Commerce Department releases a report of the United states’ commercial attache in Berlin suggesting that Germany is facing an oil shortage so critical that it has caused modification and postponement of the self-sufficiency programme. It points out that Germany’s belligerent status, highly mechanised army and increased industrial needs necessitate heavy importations of petroleum for which Russia is expected to be the major source but “the many observers question Russia’s ability to meet the demands either for crude or refined oil. “In addition, the blockade lias disrupted Germany’s overseas trade cutting off important sources in the United States, Venezuela, Mexico and the West Indies.”

It is implied that the German mission to Moscow may increase the Russian oil supply to Germany, but there are many complicating factors; for example, the previous Soviet shipments dissatisfied Germany. Only 25 to 30 per cent, of gasoline is obtainable from Russian crude oil as compared with United States yield of 45 to 50 per cent. The report adds also that the problem of furnishing German experts with equipment to Juissian oiliic-.ds ana refineries is a further factor dampening German optimism. There is a sharp decline on the 1932-3 Russian oil production. •

WOOLTOPS YARN.

.Received October 9, 1.47 p.m

LONDON, Oct. 8. The Wool Control Council, assisted by the Advisory Council, operates on November 1 a scheme for rationing supplies of wool tops yarn for civilian purposes in Britain and Northern Ireland.