NAZI OIL DEPOTS

Evening Star, Issue 23689, 24 September 1940, Page 8

NAZI OIL DEPOTS

SYSTEMATIC RAIDS BY R.A.F. TELLING BLCWS STRUCK (British Official Wireless.) Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright RUGBY, September 23. (Received September 24, at 9.50 a.m.) Some details of the raids by the R.A.F. on the Nazi oil refineries are revealed by authoritative London quarters to-day. As early as the end of August repeated attacks had been delivered on all the important oil refineries in North-west and West Germany which account for the bulk of the total German refinery capacity, which possess storage installations, and which together ' form an important proportion of Germany’s total capacity. According to expert calculation, these attacks, in addition to reducing the production of lubricating oil, resulted in the destruction of a quantity of finished stocks.

As for synthetic oil, 1,000,000 tons, out of a total capacity of 2,500,000 tons, is located in Western Germany and has been heavily attacked during recent months, while a further 1,500,000 tons capacity, including the famous works in Madgeburg and Leipzig, are being included in the R.A.F.’s early autumn programme. TWO JAPANESE CHARGED BY SINGAPORE POLICE SINGAPORE, September 23. Six Japanese—four men and two women —were detained by the police on Saturday. Four have now been released. To-day Mamuro Shimozaki and Miss Atsuka Yamakawa were charged under the official secrets ordinance and remanded. STRONG PROTEST * IMMEDIATE RELEASE DEMANDED TOKIO, September 23. (Received September 24, at 9.15 a.m.) The Associated Press reports that the Foreign Office announced that it had directed the Consul-General at Singapore to protest strongly against the arrest of the six Japanese. He is to demand their immediate release, one being a member of the consular staff. The Domoi Agency called the British action in making the arrests a “ national affront,” and connected the incident with the proposals to give the United States fleet facilities at Singapore. BRITAIN’S EXPORT TRADE SPECIAL MISSION TO SOUTH AMERICA (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 23. (Received September 24, at 9.50 a.m.) The British Government has decided, with the approval of the Governments concerned, to send a special mission to South America, under the leadership of Lord Willingdon, who will have the support of Sir Horace Rumbold and Mr R. H. Brand. The mission will also include Lord Forres, an executive member of the Export Council, and 10 representatives of important industrial and export interests. The mission’s object will be to explain to the Governments of the countries visited British economic policy in circumstances of war, and to promote the export trade of the United Kingdom so far as conditions allow. It is not intended, however, that the mission should undertake the negotiation of commercial agreements.

EXPLOSION IN AMERICAN ARSENAL TWO KILLED, SIX INJURED DOVER (Now Jersey), September 23. (Received September 24, at 11 a.m.) Two were killed and six injured as the result of an explosion at the United States army arsenal. The eight victims were engaged in removing fuses from Great War shells. CIVILIAN VALOUR THE NEW DECORATIONS (British Official Wireless.) RIIGBY, September 23, (Received September 24, at 1.30 p.m.) The decoration, the George Cross, is intended to be awarded for a deed of valour by civilian men and women in all walks of life like the Victoria Cross, but after which it ranks. Posthumus grants may be made, and the Cross will be worn before all orders and other decorations. It will take the place of the Empire gallantry medals, the present holders of which will receive the Cross in substitution. The George Medal will bo granted more freely for civilian deeds of bravery, although it is intended that the standard is to be high. Lord Chatfield, chairman of the Committee on Gallantry Awards for Civil Defence, is charged with ensuring that immediate reports bo made by the authorities and organisations concerned.