HOT LEAVING LONDON

Evening Star, Issue 23681, 14 September 1940, Page 11

HOT LEAVING LONDON

GOVERNMENT, COURT, AND DIPLOMATIC CORPS GERMAN RADIO REPORTS DENIED (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 13. (Received September 14, at 10.37 a.m.) Enemy wireless stations are to-night reporting that the British Government, the Court, and the Diplomatic Corps are on the verge of leaving London. They have stated that their authority for this entirely unfounded report is the American Columbia broadcasting reporter in London. The reporter in question, Mr Edward Marrow, has authorised the statement that the German version bf his remarks totally, misrepresents his meaning. His actual words: “ Presumably plans for the evacuation of London have been ready for more than a year, but I do not believe that serious consideration is being given to such , a step at the moment. The King and Government are still in London, and unless the city becomes utenable I believe that they will remain.” The German story, therefore, gives to Mr Marrow’s words a sense exactly the opposite of what he intended. A further German allegation that the Diplomatic Corps is considering making a demarche to the Foreign Office ■about leaving the capital is authoritatively stated to be equally untrue. Allegations of this kind from German and German-controlled sources are not unexpected at this moment, and their repetition may be expected over the next few days. The German Propaganda Ministry is obviously redoubling its efforts to persuade the world that British morale is cracking. COURAGEOUS BRITONS UNFLINCHING AND DOGGED TRIBUTE FROM CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER T RESPONSE TO FINANCIAL APPEALS (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 13. (Received September 14, at 10.35 a.m.) Speaking at Leeds to-day, Sir Kingsley Wood '(Chancellor of the Exchequer) said nothing had been a better or a greater answer to Hitler in the last few days than the unflinching and dogged spirit of our peoplemany of them occupiers of small dwellings and humble homes. They had realised and had shown by their courage and confidence that the front line in this war was as much on their own thresholds as in the lines held by our fighting forces. The Chancellor added: “ We are only just at the beginning of this grim and vital struggle, and we have many perils yet to face. It may well be that the tide is now turning but we have much to endure, much to suffer and much to accomplish before victory comes, as it surely will.” Sir Kiiigsley Wood said the latest figures showing the public’s response to the appeal for investment in Government loans were highly encouraging. A fine total of £353,000,000 had been reached in savings certificates, defence bonds and savings bank deposits. The 2£ per cent, national war. bonds had produced so far £202,000,000. Loans to the Treasury free of interest already totalled £17,000,000. In all, including the 3 per cent, war loan, a grand total of £873,000,000 had been raised since the beginning of the war. BRITISH WORKMANSHIP QUALITY OF FIGHTER PLANES ' (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 13. (Received September 14, at 10 a.m.) Many pilots who are fighting again to-day in the fierce air battles over England owe their lives to the skill of the men who made the Spitfires and Hurricanes which carry them home, although battered by enemy shells and bullets. After destroying a Messerschmitt 109 a Spitfire pilot had his aircraft severely damaged by shells from another Messerschmitt. He said : “My fuselage and one wing were hit, severing the rudder controls completely. The elevator cables and wireless were also hit 1 managed, however, to return to my base and forced landed with very little additional damage to the wing tips.” A squadron leader shot down a Junkers 88, then had to break away from the fight as the cooling mixture pipe of his Hurricane was hit and the cockpit filled with smoke fumes. He had also been hit in the sole of his shoe, in the hood behind his head, in the air screw, and in each of the main three ignition leads to the starboard block. The pilot merely reported difficulty in getting back to his base. REPORTED MISSING [Pek United Pbess Association.] WELLINGTON, September 14. The following casualty is officially announced : Sergeant John Bernard Philpott, R.N.Z.A.F., reported missing’ in air operations. His father is Mr H. E. Philpott, 8 Levy street, Wellington.