AIR UNITS ACTIVE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23955, 2 November 1939, Page 7

AIR UNITS ACTIVE

THE WESTERN FRONT ENEMY PLANE SHOT DOWN SUCCESSFUL FRENCH FLIGHTS (United Press Association) {By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) PARIS, Oct. 31. Anti-aircraft gunners shot down at least one German plane 100 miles within France. Aerial reconnaissance units have been active on both sides. Seven French flights into enemy territory returned safely with valuable information. A communique states that there were brisk land engagements in the Moselle Valley, near Luxemburg and near Saarbrucken, and round the Blies River. The bodies of a naval officer and seaman were washed up near Calais, presumably from the U-boat the French sank on October 26. The Berlin correspondent of the British United Press states that German reconnaissance units crossed the French frontier, bringing back “as must war material as they could carry.” A communique states that German scouts before the Maginot Line found sections of the French second line of defence completely abandoned, including an uncompleted trench line five-eighths of a mile from the first French village, the houses in which were deserted and in disorder. The second village was also abandoned, and machine-gun nests and shelters be- ■ tween the villages were deserted. The scouts returned by another route and found all the positions evacuated. Munitions, steel helmets and equipment were strewn about. A later communique admits the reports of the scouts were “ a belated description of events, of some time ago, the precise date being unknown.” GERMAN ARTILLERY FIRE FRENCH VILLAGE BOMBED (By Radio) DAVENTRY, Nov. 1. Marked activity on the Western Front after several uneventful days is reported by the French. The operations have reached their intensity between the Saar and the Moselle. Better visibility has led to greater artillery action, and patrols and reconnaissance parties have engaged the enemy _on several occasions. For the first time in the war the Germans have indulged in long artillery fire, and shelled a French village six miles behind the French lines. A reconnaissance flight was carried out by German machines, and they were engaged by French planes, one of the enemy aircraft being brought down. The French machines returned safely to their base. FRENCH MACHINES FLIGHT OVER LUXEMBURG LUXEMBURG, Oct. 31. Aerial activity prevails. Six French machines, flying over Luxemburg, encountered violent anti-aircraft fire. I BROADCAST BY THE QUEEN ■ ARMISTICE DAY MESSAGE (British Official Wireless) RUGBY. Oct. 31. The Queen will broadcast an Armistice Day message to the women of Britain and the Empire. She will speak for five minutes, beginning at 9 p.m. „ The last broadcast from the Queen was her farewell speech from Halifax (Nova Scotia) at the close of the royal tour of Canada. INDIAN TERRITORIAL FORCE EXTENSION ANNOUNCED (British Official Wireless) RUGBY. Oct. 31. The India Office announced that the Indian Territorial Force will be extended. thereby providing service opportunities for classes and communities not now adequately represented in the regular Indian Army. It has also been decided to introduce a recruit registration scheme, at present limited to 25.000 men. , Registration is entirely voluntary, and accepted recruits will be registered and sent home to await being called up. j The Indian Government is most grati- ! fled at (he spontaneous offers received from all quarters, but it is not possible to accept all the offers at once. The Government states it has every desire and intention to provide adequate opportunities for those wishing to serve, but any hurried expansion would be unwise. RHODESIAN FARMERS WAR-TIME POLICY DISCUSSED (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, Oct. 31. (Received Nov. 1, at 7 p.m.) Southern Rhodesian farmers are determined tu do their utmost to increase the agricultural output for the benefit o£ the Empire’s war efforts. At a special congress at Salisbury ail farming interests were represented to discuss a war-time policy by agriculturists. A resolution was unanimously adopted to meet the position if there necessity for early institution of general conscription and for the distribution of adequate man-power to agriculture. More men will shortly be called up to undergo training at camps at Salisbury and Bulawayo. The first battalion of the Northern Rhodesian Regiment is up to war establishment, and an additional battalion and auxiliary units of the defence force and a force of special constables are at full strength. The people—European, Indian, and African—was from the first determined to offer loyal support, and volunteering has been so heavy that there is a waiting list for several units. Intensive training for the personnel is now in progress. Men in the key industries have been kept at their posts. Farmers want to fight, bift agriculturarproduction must be maintained, dnd so must the exports of Northern Rhodesia’s metals, which are vital to the Allies. The output of copper has been virtually taken over by the British Government, and the producing company is supplying copper at less than the current world price. AUDIENCE WITH THE KING LONDON, Oct. 31. The King gave an audience to Mr Frasor.

M. MOLOTOV'S SPEECH

REACTION IN FINLAND A SENSATION CREATED LONDON, Nov. 1. (Received Nov. 2, at 0.5 a.m.) The Helsinki correspondent of the British United Press states that M. Molotov’s speech created a sensation, as it is held that it violated the agreement that neither side should reveal anything concerning the matters that were being negotiated. The Government is now considering what steps shall be taken In view of the Soviet’s demands being made public. M. Molotov detailed the Russian demands on Finland, as follows: — (1) Readjustments of the border northward of Leningrad. "(2) Use of an area near the entrance of the Gulf of Finland as a Soviet naval base. (3) The exchange of certain Islands in the Gulf of Finland for territory in Soviet Karelia. (4) Disarming certain fortified zones along the Soviet-Finnish frontier. (5) A Soviet-Finnish pact of nonaggression. (6) Development of Soviet-Fin-nish economic relations. M. Molotov declared that as Finland would only concede part of what Russia demanded, the Soviet subsequently modified its proposals, but he added that if the Finns continued their failure to meet the Soviet requirements it would be harmful both to the cause of peace and the Finns themselves.

Exchange), Enturie (Communications), Tassinari (Agriculture), Serena (Public Works), Pricolo (Chief of the Air Staff), and General Soddu (Under-Sec-retary for War). Signor Mussolini is apparently turning to the moderates, who opposed Communism. Some of those displaced, like Signor Starace, were sympathetic to Germany. A POSSIBLE RESULT DRIFT FROM THE AXIS LONDON, Oct. 31. The British United Press Rome correspondent states that the reshuffle appears to strengthen Italy's neutrality. The new Ministers are all experts, well suited for a vigorous policy in international trade and diplomacy, for which neutrality is most desirable. Many consider that the removal of Signors Alfieri and Starace heralds a drift from the Axis. The German radio announced the reshuffle, quoting Italian quarters in saying that it does not affect the Duce’s traditional policy, REACTION ON STOCK EXCHANGE A BOOM IN SHARES LONDON, Oct. 31. The British United Press Paris correspondent states that Mediterranean shares boomed on the Stock Exchange as the result of the news of the Italian Cabinet changes. Suez Canal shares rose to 450. and Riotiato to 92. Others averaged 40 points. NEW CABINET MEMBERS CHAMPIONS OF NEUTRALITY NEW YORK, Oct. 31. (Received Nov. 1, at 10 p.m.) A report from Mr Matthews, the Rome correspondent of the New York Times, states; “ Signor Mussolini’s new colleagues will give the Cabinet a strong group of champions of neutrality, fortifying Count Ciano in the present foreign policy, strengthening the armed forces against any eventuality, and giving Signor Mussolini collaborators who have all been party leaders from the earliest days of Fascism. Elements which are considered strongly pro-German have been replaced by men who are merely pro-Italian. As Signor Mussolini retains the key positions and Count Ciano remains Foreign Minister, it is obvious that the changes are only administrative, and do not signify a change of policy, but merely remove the possibility of friction and misunderstanding of Italy’s firm determination to keep neutral and avoid foreign entanglements. PRECAUTIONS IN BELGIUM BARRIERS AGAINST TANKS NEW YORK, Nov. 1. (Received Nov. 1, at 11.30 p.m.) The Brussels correspondent of the New York Times says that, anticipating a lightning tank invasion similar to that in Poland, Belgium has constructed an ingenious modern Chinese wall along the main defence lines. “I have just seen sections at Namur and Liege, comprising movable steel gates six feet high, mounted on rollers like those used on tennis courts, anchored by cables and strong rails set in concrete. Unable to surmount these obstacles, a tank would become ensnared, offering an easy target. The Belgians claim that artillery can blow the gates skyhigh, yet they will return to the same place and continue to function. They can easily be rolled to other lines.”