The War Day by Day

Waikato Independent, Volume XL, Issue 3677, 7 March 1940, Page 4

The War Day by Day

MONDAY February 4 The crew of a .German aeroplane bombed and machine-gunned the Dutch motor-ship Elziena, of 197 tons, which, subsequently Sank. -. ~.,;; v:>: ~- ■£.;<:.- # . ... * ■ ;,,;,;%..-,.- The main Finnish forces retreated in good order - from Viipuri to a new defence line, which the Russians had not yet attacked. * ■#... . • . •#■. ■ A decided renewal of activity reported on the Western Front. German raiding parties took several prisoners, and the French retaliated by ambushing a German unit on the Wissenboury Gap. TUESDAY March 5 The British motor-ship Pacific Reliance, of (3717 tons, sank after an explosion. All of the crew were rescued. * »• • One half of the 8000-ton British • motor-tanker Imperial Transport, which was split in two by a German torpedo, was brought home safely to England by her captain. WEDNESDAY March 6 The Australian Government announced its decision to recruit for abroad an army corps of 48,000 men. # » • 'More heavy air raids were carried out in Finland by Russian aeroplanes. Three Finnish hospitals were bombed. *. * * Four Italian ships carrying coal from Germany were detained by British warships.