RESIGNED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 258, 1 November 1939, Page 7

RESIGNED

GERMAN COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF REPORT PUBLISHED IN PARIS INCREASED ACTIVITY ON WESTERN FRONT

[By I'legra ph—Press Association—Copyright] Received Oct. 31, 11.55 p.m. PARIS, Oct. 31. The Petit Parisien publishes an uncorroborated report that the German Commander - in - Chief, General von Brauchitsch, has resigned. The French war communique reports activity between contact units aiong the whole front, and increased local artillery activity. French chaser and reconnaissance machines have also been active in the air between the Moselle and the Saar. According to a British war correspondent, the British Army is preparing to take a more active part in the warfare. The R.A.F. is looking for an Algerian soldier who dashed into “no man’s land” under fire and rescued the pilot of a British machine which had crashed between the lines. Flying conditions on the front, although they improved to-day, are still rigorous. The British reconnaissance flight over southern Germany was conducted in bitterly cold weather, an ! ice formed on the wings. On the return flight visibility was practically nil, but despite the conditions the flight was successtully carried out, and all the planes returned safely. German planes on the ether hand, do not attempt to fly in unfavourable weather. Troops Reviewed. The French Prime Minister, M. Edouard Daladier, spent the week-end with the French army. He saw the front at its quietest since rain, snow, and fog brought fighting to a standstill over the week-end. The Duke of Windsor also reviewed French troops yesterday. They were the soldiers that drove back the German attack on October 16 in the most severe enemy attack yet delivered. The Paris Le Journal, describing the Duke of Windsor’s visit, says that he was looking younger than ever. The Duke was gratified by the friendship of soldiers and civilians. The British Army song, “We’ll Hang Our Washing on the Siegfried Line,” has now been broadcast in German by the clandestine Austrian station, ft was used to counter the German statement that there are no British troops at the front. “Ask the German soldiers now suffering in the mud of Herr Hitler’s trenches,” said the announcer. ‘They will tell you they often hear ‘We Will Hang Our Washing on the Siegfried Line.’ ’■ Despite attempts at “jamming,” the German “freedom station” broadcast on Saturday night. Five minutes after it started, "jamming" began. The frequency was changed, but for the first time the Germans were able to follow them. In spite of the "jamming” it was possible to get the gist of the broadcast. The announcer spoke of the severe blow which would be dealt to the Nazi regime if the United States arms embargo were repealed and urged Roman Catholics to rise against Herr Hitler.

LOSS OF ATHENIA » IMPORTANT POINTS CLEARED UP NEV/ YORK, Oct 31.. Cn. instructions from the British Government the Ambassador in Washington, Lord Lothian, has conveyed to 'the Government of the United States the following assurances regard.ng the sinking oi the Athenia:— The Athenia carried no bullion or securities and no guns, munitions, or war explosives, eitner as caigo ox stores. She was not sunk either by contact with a British mine, by a British submarine, by gunfire, by a British destroyer, or by an internal explosion, but, in accordance with evidence in possession of the British Government, 0/ a submarine. She was neither armed nor stiffened to receive armament of any kind. It was not intended to use the vessel as an armed merchant cruiser or in any other offensive capacity at the end of the voyage on which she was sunk. The chief oflicer, Mr. B. McCobland, of the Athenia, has sworn in an affidavit that he never discussed with Mr, Gustav Anderson the question of whether or not there were guns on board the ship and that there were in point of fact no guns or other munitions carried as cargo in the ship on that voyage. GERMAN THREAT INTENSIFICATION OF THE ATTACKS ON VESSELS ARMING OF MERCHANTMEN A “VIOLATION OF LAW.’* BERLIN, Oct. 30. The Volkischern Beobachter forecasts an intensification of attacks on British merchantmen, and alleges that arming them violates international law. A U-boat sank the British steamer Malabar (8000 tons) in the Atlantic. Seventy survivors were landed at a west of England port. An engineer and four Lascars were trapped in the engine-room and died. The Hull steam trawler St. Nidan, was sunk, it is believed by enemy action, while returning from the fishing grounds. The crew of 15 was saved. The Grimsby trawler Lynx 11. was sunk in the South Sea as the result of enemy action. The crew of 10 was landed in Scotland. The Lynx, which was sunk by gunfire, is the first loss by the Grimsby fishing fleet.