BEING WHITTLED AWAY

Evening Star, Issue 23692, 27 September 1940, Page 8

BEING WHITTLED AWAY

THE FRENCH EMPIRE VICHY GOVERNMENT'S POLICY OF SURRENDER ACTING TO MASTERS' ORDERS (British Official Wireless.) Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright RUGBY, September 26. ' (Received September 27, at 9.13 a.m.) Referring to the setback suffered by General de Gaulle’s first attempt to seize the initiative in Africa, ‘ The Times’ says: “In Africa Vichy has shown fight if only in defence of its chains. At the other side of the eastern hemisphere, however, where they are not stiffened by the support of their masters, the Vichy Government has allowed the firm stand at first made by its commander on the spot to fall away into collapse. Indo-China occupies a strategic position of first importance in the Far East, and its fate cannot be a matter of indifference to either Britain or the United States, while of course the interest of China is immediate. Helpless as Vichy would have been at this distance if it were unassisted it is clear that in making firm resistance to Japanese encroachments it would not have stood alone. The precise extent of the concessions it made has not been made public, but it is certain that a new grave threat to the Burma road has been opened and no one who knows the methods of Tokio supposes that the whittling away of the French empire in Asia will cease at the point laid down in the agreement.

“ The policy of surrender is bringing no less shame on the Vichy Government, in its application to Mediterranean lands. The people of Syria are showing that they resent the dishonour of Franc© more than do the men who occupy seats of authority. Rather than submit to the Italians, who since the rape of Albania have ranked as the arch enemies of Islam, Bedouin soldiers are slipping away on their camels from camps near Damascus in search of liberty and many try to achieve it in union with their old rivals, the Arabs of Iraq. No less significant is the movement among the Senegalese sharpshooters of what was General Weygand’s army for General de Gaulle.” CANADIAN AIRMEN EXCELLENT RECORD IN ENGLAND HEAVY TOLL OF ENEMY (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 25. The reputation of the Royal Canadian Air Force was further enhanced by details of its participation in air battles over England given by the Air Ministry news service, which says: “One of the German bomters, a Dornier 215, was attacked hy two Hurricane pilots of the R.C.A.F. Squadron. When they came back to the base they found AirMarshal Bishop, V.C.. the famous Canadian fighter pilot of the last war and now director of recruiting for the R.C.A.F., waiting to meet them. Two of the Canadian pilots were slightly disappointed that they could not say they had destroyed the enemy because they thad not been able to see it drop into the sea, but a few minutes later a message came through from a coastguard station that the Dornier had been seen to plunge into the Channel. Six times during the past fortnight Canadian pilots, fighting with the R.A.F., have helped to save London from attack. Between them these Hurricane squadrons—the original “ allCanadian Squadron ” of the R.A.F. formed in England, and the squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force formed in Canada—have already destroyed more than 100 enemy machines. Well as the “ all-Canadians ” did over Dunkirk, much of their fine fighting has been over streets and docks and houses in London. The Royal Canadian Air Force Squadron which came into action in August, has done all its fighting on home defence, in its last six fights the “ all-Canadian ” Squadron has now destroyed 55 of the enemy against the loss of only two of its own pilots. The R.C.A.F. Squadron, more newly arrived, is proud that it came to England as a complete unit, with Canadianbuilt Huricanes, a full supply of spares, and its own motor transport. Eightythree of their ground staff learnt their "knowledge of fighter aircraft under the Empire training scheme. Like the “ allCanadians,”- the R.C.A.F. Squadron is proud to have fought for London. HEW ZEALAND CASUALTIES [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, September 26. The following New Zealand Expeditionary Force casualty in Egypt is reported : Major Eric James Stock, wounded as the result of air bombs. His wife is Mrs A. L. Stock, of 200 Salisbury street. Christchurch. AUCKLAND, September 26. A New Zealand airman, Pilot-officer Winton Sehvood Shann, has been reported missing as the result of operations on Wednesday, according to advice received by his sister, Mrs I). M’Millan, of Mission Bay. He was formerly employed by the Producers and Citizens’ Co-operative Assurance Company Ltd., Auckland. Born in Christchurch 22 years ago, Pilot-officer Shann is a son of Mrs N. Cooper, of Belfast, Christchurch. He was educated at Christchurch Boys’ High School, where ho was a prefect and had, an outstanding sports record, particularly as a swimmer. On leaving school he worked in a Government office in Wellington before coming to Auckland. Ho gave up his Auckland position to join the Air Force, and after training at Wigram left for England last April.