FEDERAL ELECTIONS

Evening Star, Issue 23694, 30 September 1940, Page 3

FEDERAL ELECTIONS

LABOUR LEADER RETAINS SEAT SOLDIERS TURN THE SCALES SYDNEY, September 28. The most surprising development in the week-end checking of absent and postal votes and distribution of preferences in 12 doubtful contests m the recent Federal elections was a lastminute Victory for the Labour leader, Mr J. Curtin, in Fremantle by 522 votes. This was due mainly to the good support he received from the soldiers. Mr Curtin has ascertained that the Communists of Western Australia hurled a block vote of 6,000 against him to cause his early setback. There are still a number of seats definitely in doubt, of which _ Labour needs five in order to deprive the Government of a working majority. It appears to have an excellent chance of winning four, if not five. On the other- hand, the Government’s campaign directors express _ the opinion that the Government parties will finally win out with a majority of two or three. RESOURCE AND DARING N.Z. AIRMAN DECORATED ENGAGED IN MANY RAIDS LONDON, September 27. Pilot-officer Frank Henderson Denton of Greymouth, has been awarded tho D.F.C. . , . The citation says he showed great resource and daring in successfully attacking Chartres aerodrome from a very low altitude, although the enemy tried to tempt him with a dummy flare path. On another occasion, failing to locate his target in the (Ruhr owing to severe weather, he decided to attack the docks and shipping at Flushing. He broke through cloud at 1,000 feet and despite a devastating curtain of fire, released his bombs at an altitude so low that the force of the explosions rocketed his plane hundreds of feet. He saw large fires and explosions, and brought his plane back to his base with gaping holes in each wing. Pilot-officer Denton has participated in 24 major bombing raids. He is a determined and courageous captain, and he carries the complete confidence of his crew and associates. Pilot-officer C. A. H. Connor, a Canadian, was awarded the D.F.C. for piloting a damaged Hampden bomber to its base following an attack on barge concentrations at Antwerp on the night of September 15,_ states an Air Ministry bulletin. His wireless operator and air gunner during the attack was Sergeant John Hannah, who received the V.C. SQUADRON'S FINE RECORD LONDON, September 29. (Received September 30, at 8 a.m.) The bomber squadron to which Sergeant Hannah and Pilot-officer Connor belong was formed in Scotland in 1917, and a few months later began operations in France. In one operation on a stormy night towards the end of the war six pilots carried out a dangerous mission, each receiving the D.F.C. In the present war the squadron has lived up to its reputation, and before the exploit of September 15 had earned one D.S.O. for outstanding work on the Dortniund-Ems Canal and 13 D’.F.C.’s and five D.F.M.’s. Sergeant Hannah is the first Scotsman to win the Victoria Cross since the outbreak of the present war. DAKAR INCIDENT VICKY GOVERNMENT'S CLAIM VICHY, September 28. The casualties at Dakar were 203 killed and 393 wounded. Dakar is now normal. The Richelieu’s forward guns directly hit the Barham’s steering gear, and a torpedo hit the Resolution forward of the bridge