PAST ACTIONS RECALLED

Southland Times, Issue 24154, 17 June 1940, Page 6

PAST ACTIONS RECALLED

Conquered People In Slavery TRADE UNIONISM DESTROYED (British Official Wireless) (Received June 16, 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, June 15. In broadcast comment on the interview with Herr Hitler, the Undersecretary to the Ministry of Information, Mr Harold Nicolson, analysed the meaning of the “capitalistic clique” which Herr Hitler announced that he was determined to destroy. This included, Mr Nicolson said, not only the Prime Minister, Mr Winston Churchill, the Minister of Supply, Mr Herbert Morrison, and the Minister of Labour, Mr Ernest Bevin, but also those persons who had obtained a stake in the country and those, whether trade union leaders or others, who had gained the confidence ■ and respect of their fellow citizens. This was what had been done in Poland. Both there and in Czechoslovakia the Nazi conquest had resulted in long hours at starvation wages, abolition of trade unions and the right either to strike or to protest. Mr Nicolson also dealt with Herr Hitler’s intention to “restore the freedom of the seas” and pointed out that for 150 years the British fleet had maintained the seas free from Napoleon, Bismarck, and the Kaiser and the British Navy would keep the seas free from Herr Hitler’s domination. The Fuhrer, said Mr Nicolson, was a little disconcerted when asked by Mr von Weigand what were his peace terms. He could only say his “peace aim was peace.” “Peace, I suppose, for Czechoslovakia, Austria, Poland, Denmark, Norway, Holland and Belgium,” Mr Nicolson said, “and for France and Britain the peace of death.” Speaking of Herr Hitler’s statement that he did not desire to destroy the British Empire, Mr Nicolson reminded his listeners of the fate of Czechoslovakia. “When Herr Hitler decided to murder Czechoslovakia he did not announce to the world that murder was hi.' intention. He assured us that he had no further territorial ambitions in Europe,” Mr Nicolson said. “He asserted that all he desired was a slight rectification of frontiers. Yet when he had made the rectification and thereby made Czechoslovakia powerless to resist him he swooped upon their capital and took them into slavery.” Similarly, if Herr Hitler were able to rob Britain of her naval defences she would be powerless before him. “We should have paid a shameful price for peace and peace would be denied us,” he said. “We shall n_t pay a shameful price for ’-eace. The honour and safety of the world lie in our hands.”

DECORATIONS FOR N.C.O.’S INITIATIVE AND COURAGE SHOWN (British Official Wireless) (Received June 16, 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, June 15. In a list of awards made by _ the Commander-in-Chief of the British Expeditionary Force, General Lord Gort, is a Distinguished Conduct Medal to Troop Sergeant Major Revil Burroughs, Royal Artillery, who showed great resourcefulness and initiative when, at Montbre, a gun position was attacked by four Dornier 17’s, flying in line-astern formation. One 3.7 gun and one Bren gun were in action. Sergeant Major Burroughs ordered his detachments to take cover. At the same time he joined the gun detachment and took cover behind a gun. As the first aeroplane passed the crossing point, firing on the section, he gave the order “Action” to the gun detachment, and, taking over the duties of No. 5, he laid the gun on the future bearing and angle and fired the gun himself at the estimated moment. At the second burst a plane was seen to crash. He then engaged a second plane which appeared to be hit and began to lose height. The other planes changed course and flew away. Sergeant W. J. Gilchrist, Irish Guards, is also awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. For two hours Sergeant Gilchrist, with a few men, held a post at a street corner in Boulogne with an anti-tank rifle and Bren guns and succeeded in setting fire to an enemy tank, thereby blocking a street down which the Germans were trying to advance. Although wounded, Sergeant Gilchrist refused to leave his post until the guns jammed through over-firing. The action of this non-commissioned officer enabled the remainder of his battalion to move on unmolested. OFFICERS DECORATED BY KING (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, June 14. The King inspected a complete army division stationed in the Southern Command. His Majesty at several points conferred decorations on officers for distinguished conduct during the retreat to Dunkirk. A colonel who commanded a small force which held an important part of the line and covered the retreat of thousands of men was decorated in a meadow in front of his battalion. The ceremony was watched only by scattered groups of villagers and school children, who had been allowed a 10minute break from their lessons. The King, wherever he went, was deeply impressed by the excellent health and spirit of the troops after their ordeal in Flanders. His Majesty has awarded the D.S.O. to eight British Expeditionary Force officers for gallantry in Flanders and has also decorated three French generals—the K.C.B. to General Blanchard, the 0.8. E. to General de la Laurencie and the C.B.E. to General . Emile Bethouart. Admiral Abrial receives the K.C.B. INTEREST-FREE LOANS IN AUSTRALIA - CANBERRA, June 15. Gifts and interest-free loans have now exceeded £3,000,000. Loans total £2,818,000 and gifts £lBB,OOO. A total of £3,394,319 worth of war savings certificates has been sold throughout Australia. The objective is £10,000,000.