THE WAR STEP BY STEP

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 77, 20 October 1939, Page 8

THE WAR STEP BY STEP

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18. Germans raid Firth of Forth. Cruiser Southampton struck by bomb minor damage resulting. Thirty-tAVO men killed. Four German bombers shot down. Mr Churchill announces in House of Commons lhat H.M.S. Royal Oak was at anchor in Scapa Floav Avhen she was torpedoed, the submarine commander shoAving great skill and daring. Empire plan to train pilots in Canada Avill mean output of 25,000 to 30,000 airmen a year. Scheme reported to haA'e )iad great psychological effect on the Germans.

Finnish-Russian negotiations likely to be successful. Talks between Soviet and Turkey reported to have readied a deadlock owing to Russian demands for recognition of partition of Poland, formation of neutral Baltic bloc and partition of Rumania.

German attack repulsed on Western Front, German losses estimated at betAveen o(»0 and 1000 with 20 tanks. German prisoners shoAved ig-

noranec of true situation, many not knowing that Germany Avas at Avar with England and France. Many disillusioned Avilh Hitler, having believed he could get anything Avithout Avar. Great activity behind German lines. U.S. may relax shipping bans, alloAving services in Pacific and other points. Australia iioav an Empire arsenal, practicallj r independent of outside sources for the production of arms and munitions. Enlistments in Maori battalion total 411. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19. Further German air raids on naval bases at Orkneys and Seapa repulsed Avith less of German planes. Slight damage reported to old battleship Iron Duke, now used as a depot ship. British planes reported to have raided Emsden and Wilhelmshaven bases. Submarine Avhich sank Royal Oak returns to harbour. Commander promoted Rear-Admiral and, Avith creAv, giA 7 en Iron Cross. Mr Churchill. reports that a third of the German U-boat fleet has been sunk in the first six weeks of the Avar. Warship action reported in North Sea, German vessel being either sunk or badly damaged. Nonvegian cargo vessel sunk in North Sea. Germans attack with five diA Tisions on Western Front. French reported to have Avithdrawn to prepared positions and then to haA'e broken the onslaught. German casualties reported to be 5,000. French still on German soil except on one or tAvo points along the, border. Swedish oA'eit ures for peace reported, envoy having met Hitler and U.S.A. having been sounded. Negotiations betAveen Soviet and Turkey stated to have been broken off, Turkey refusing the demands and re-affirming her loyalty to the AlMcs. Allegations that Athenia carried guns and Avas to be outfitted as a raider made in affidavit filed by Gas I.av Anderson, a passenger.