NAZI ADVANCE

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21244, 15 October 1940, Page 6

NAZI ADVANCE

CONTROL OF RUMANIA OILFIELDS OCCUPIED SOVIET CONCENTRATING (United Press Asn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Oct. 14 It now appears that German troops are in full control of the Rumanian oilfields and all strategic points, says the correspondent of the Daily Telegraph in the Balkans. A constant stream of new arrivals bound for the Danube delta is reported from numerous points. Informed quarters in Bucharest, says the Associated Press, state that Russia is concentrating troops in the Galatz area on the Bessarabian border, and around Cernauti, in Bukovina, which has been converted into a vast Russian Army encampment. It is stated in Bucharest that Russian monitors recently sank two Rumanian naval patrol boats on the Danube, and Russian river watercraft stationed in Bessarabia are reported to have penetrated Rumanian territorial waters. An official Bucharest statement says that a Russian destroyer sank a Rumanian sloop which unwittingly entered prohibited Russian waters in the Black Sea last Friday. The destroyer rescued the crew and passengers and the incident is regarded as closed. A party of 150 British subjects, resident in Rumania, are expected to be evacuated from the Black Sea port of Constanza today. Another British party of similar size is expected to leave later in the week. Charges Against Britons The five Britons who have been detained by the Rumanians, including Mr A. Millar, are understood to be specifically charged with pouring acid into oil storage tanks, spoiling huge quantities of oil destined for Germany and necessitating the chemical testing of tank waggons before their departure to Germany. It is estimated that between 20,000 and 30,000 German soldiers have now arrived in Rumania, and more will follow. Officers are accommodated in the best hotel in Bucharest, and their behaviour is already causing much resentment among citizens. The death of a pedestrian knocked down by an officers’ car caused an angry demonstration by a large crowd.

The German press today tells its readers the old familiar story in regard to its entry into Rumania that Germany just managed to forestall a British attack on the Rumanian oilfields. Italian engineers are reported to have arrived at the Black Sea port of Constanza. A few German submarines are also reported to be in the Black Sea, having been carried there and assembled. SHORTAGE OF WHEAT CONDITIONS IN GREECE PURCHASE FROM AUSTRALIA (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Oct. 15, 3.15 p.m.) ATHENS, Oct. 14 Owing to the shortage of wheat negotiations are being conducted for the purchase of 50,000 tons from Australia, also large quantities from Russia. AIR FORCE CROSS TWO NEW ZEALANDERS ONE A SQUADRON-LEADER THIRD AWARD LACKS DETAILS (By Telegraph.—Pres9 Association) WELLINGTON, Tuesday Two officers of the Royal New Zealand Air Force have been awarded the Air Force Cross, according to an official announcement today. A notice to this effect was contained in the London Gazette of October 11. The airmen are:— Squadron-Leader Harry Lumsden Tancred, R.N.Z.A.F. Station. Ohakea. Flight-Lieutenant Erik Alfred Anderson Moen, R.N.Z.A.F. Station, Wigram. Squadron - Leader Tancred, who was born in Australia, is 31 years of age. Educated at Nelson College, he went to England, where he was granted a short service commission with the Royal Air Force. He returned to New Zealand in 1936 and entered the Royal New Zealand Air Force. After the outbreak of war he spent a period at the flying instructor's school at Mangere, and later was transferred to the station at Ohakea. Flight-Lieutenant Moen was born in Dunedin and is 30 years of age. Educated at Otago Boys’ High School, he received his pilot’s license in 1932, and in 1935 joined the New Zealand Territorial Air Force. Two years later he was appointed to a short service commission in the Royal New Zealand Air Force. The Air Force Cross has also been awarded to Squadron-Leader Gordon John Grindell, R.A.F., about whom no details are available.