WAR IN THE AIR

Evening Star, Issue 23696, 2 October 1940, Page 7

WAR IN THE AIR

The Battle for Britain End of Summer Phase Humiliating Defeat of Luftwaffe (British Official Wireless.) Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright RUGBY, October 1. '(Received October 2, at 9.25 a.m.) Forty-nine German aircraft were shot down over and •round Britain yesterday, which brought the total for September to 1,102, and is regarded by some commentators here as marking the end of the summer phase of the war in the air. The total British losses in single-seater fighters over and •round Britain in September were 319, but whereas at a conservative estimate Germany lost in trained personnel 2,755, no -fewer than 168 pilots of British planes who were shot down in the month’s fighting in these great air battles are safe. Although compared with the number of enemy aircraft destroyed in some recent daylight raids yesterday’s engagements were not characterised by big losses, they are declared by the ; Daily Mail ’ to constitute the most humiliating defeat on the enemy since his big-scale raids on London Despite the size of the forces sent over each of these attacks was broken up and the results achieved were practically nil. In all six mass attacks were made during daylight hours and only a few stragglers, which were quickly turned away, penetrated far inland.

NIGHT RAIDERS

DRIVEN AWAY FROM LONDON •MBS DROPPED 1H OUTLYING DISTRICTS LONDON, October 1. (Received October 2, at 10 a.m.) Patrolling British warplanes assisted the barrage in keeping off night raidA «n, who, in the early hours, dropped ■ most of their bombs in widely-separated ■ areas around London, including northern, south-eastern, and south-western suburbs. It is officially stated that the enemy air attacks Jast night were directed mainly on London. Bombs were also dropped on the Merseyside and Southeast England. A number of houses in North-east London were destroyed, but tha damage was not extensive. Fires' caused on the Merseyside were quickly controlled, and there was no serious damage. A number of premises were hit in an East Midlands town, where several persons were fatally injured. The casualties elsewhere were not large. During the evening attack on South-, •east England, two Messerschmitts met an unusual end. One was shot down by his fellows, and the other crashed in Windsor Great Park after its pilot had failed to recover from a flat-out dive on two Ansons. He tried a steep turn at only I,Booft. The pilot was taken prisoner by a New Zealand Hurricane pilot, who was driving a car near the park while on leave. The New Zealander said the two Ansons were flying together, fairly low, when the Messerschmitt came screaming down. The Ansons took no notice. “ When the Messerschmitt came down I drove to the German, who put up his hands, after which I took him in the car to a R.A.F. station and handed him over to a special constable.” Londoners heard between 2 o’clock and 4 this morning one of the fiercest anti-aircraft barrages so far. The night for minutes at a time was rendered hideous by the deafening roar, as the raiders, apparently adopting new tactics, swooped down in defiance of the barrage. West End and Central London quivered as the big guns blazed away at the intruders, who seemed to be roaring over the housetops. One big fire was started, but was controlled bei fore dawn. Four heavy bombs falling near a famous Central London square caused no casualties. Houses in a neighbouring mews were demolished. One bomb destroyed a street of work-ing-class houses in South-west London. Twenty-two people were rescued from the wreckage. Many are believed to have be£n killed. A Junkers bomber surprisingly appeared over South-east London after daylight. It flew over housetops, firing cannon, then roared over a train which was machine-gunned. Some of the bullets penetrated the roof, but there were no casualties. The bomber later raked two streets in the south-eastern area with machine-gun fire. A raider which crashed at Redhill after a fight with a Hurricane in the morning is believed to have been the machine which attacked the train. South-eastern villagers saw a Molotov breadbasket fall and illuminate the district for miles. Eight separate fires were started, but were quickly extinguished. Four people were killed and seven injured in south-east inland towns when high .explosives fell on a residential area. Several bombs fell on an East Midland town. Five people were killed and many injured when a factory was damaged by a direct hit. After driving his sick wife to hospi-

AIR ADVENTURES

GROUP CAPTAIN'S UNUSUAL EXPERIENCES WENT UP TO OBSERVE, BUT STAYED TO ' FIGHT (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, October 1. (Received October 2, at 9.50 a.m.) The grouip-captain of the Fighter Command went up in a Huricane last evening to watch his squadrons at work. When he came down he had made 18 Heinkel bombers turn tail, destroyed one Messerschmitt 109, and also watched one Messerschmitt shoot down another by mistake. He was not seeking a fight. ■ The group-captain—a rank corresponding to a colonel in the Army and a captain in the Navy—had gone up to study the battle movements of the squadron under his command, and to find out whether tactics or training could be improved. At 17,000 ft he met 18 Heinkel 111 bombers flying north over Surrey, with Messerschmitt 109’e above them. The group-captain immediately closed with the bombers, harassing them with head-on attacks until they flew south away from him, then he went after the Messerschmitt fighters. Three of them wore pressing another Hurricane, but the pilot, by brilliant flying, managed to evade them and dived down out of their reach. The Messerschmitts were in line astern. The group-captain was just about to dive on them from behind, and was astonished to see the first Messerschmitt burst into flames and its pilot bale out. ABORTIVE ATTACKS SOME CASUALTIES IN LONDON • (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, October 1. (Received October 2, at 10.13 a.m.) “ The enemy made several abortive attacks on south England to-day,” states an Air Ministry and Home Security communique. “ For the most part his aircraft did not penetrate far inland, and few reports of the dropping of bombs have been received. A small number of aircraft reached London and dropped bombs. These caused several casualties, some fatal. Bombs were also dropped on a point near the Welsh coast, causing a small number of casualties. Four enemy aircraft have been shot down. Three of our aircraft are missing.” ~

tal through the barrage, a South London resident was buried when his home was wrecked by a bomb.

The raider bombed the district after the all clear, demolishing three houses, in which five were killed. Others are still buried. A number of houses were demolished in East London outskirts, where a large house was burned out by an oil bomb. A Molotov breadbasket fell in a field near a South-east London hospital containing 370 children. There were no casualties.

The Germans bombed a tbickly-popu-lated South-west London district this afternoon. Some casualties are reported. To-day’s raids were in three phases. The anti-aircraft defences repulsed single raiders in North-west, Southwest, and Central London.

BERLIN BOMBED AGAIN

LONGEST RAID OF WAR TRAIL OF DESTRUCTION OVER GERMANY USUAL HAMMERING FOR INVASION PORTS (British Official Wireless.) Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright RUGBY, October 1. (Received October 2. at 10 a.m.) An Air Ministry communique states: The R.A.F. visit to Berlin last night consisted of a sustained attack on objectives carried out by strong bomber forces. Other forces attacked oil refineries at Leuna and Hanover, an aircraft factory at Rotenburg, a munition factory near Magdeburg, goods yards and rail communications at Bremen, Ehrang, Osnabruck, Mannheim, and Brussels, docks at Cuxhaven and Amsterdam, the Channel ports of Ostend, Calais, Boulogne, and Le Havre, and several enemy aerodromes. In the course of these operations aircraft of the Bomber Command engaged and shot down an enemy aircraft into the sea. Coastal Command aircraft, operating with the Fleet Air Arm, attacked docks and petrol stores at Rotterdam and Vlaaraingen, shipping and stores at Ostend, and set fire to an oil dump at Hatnsede aerodrome. Five of our aircraft are missing. BIG FIRES AND EXPLOSIONS. Further details of the longest R.A.F. attack on military objectives in Berlin, last night show that the West power station, which was badly damaged in previous raids, was deadly identified by flares, and a few minutes after the first stick of bombs had fallen there was a large explosion and numerous fires to mark the success of the attack. The Klingenberg power station was also heavily bombed. Railways were hit and a factory set alight. Heavy bombers remained over Berlin from 10.30 p.m. to past 2 o’clock this rooming.

Other R.A.F. bombers operated over widely-separated targets in Germany. At the railway yards at Mannheim the bomb bursts were followed a second or two later by a violent explosion which developed into long lines of explosions So fierce and bright that our aircraft were lit up by them. The crew considered that either ammunition trains or a series of dumps had gone up.

The oil refineries at Hanover and Leuna, east of Leipzig, were also left ablaze. Bluish coloured explosions at Leuna, which was severely damaged some weeks ago, followed the dropping of many incendiary bombs. One very large fire, started in a building in the centre target, remained visible for 10 minutes to our departing aircraft, and many lesser fires and explosions .were seen. “ DRENCHED IN FLAME " BOMBING RAIDS ON FRENCH COAST LONDON, October 1. (Received October 2, at 8 a.m.) Houses on the Kent coast were shaken last night when explosions on the French coast revealed that the R.A.F. was again “going to it.” The main targets were apparently Calais Harbour and the "im emplacements at Cap Gris Nez. Bursting bombs seemed to drench this stretch of the coast in flame. Searchlights and thousands of tracer shells fantastically patterned the sky, SURPRISINGLY LITTLE A.A. FIRE INDUSTRIAL PLANTS PICKED OUT LONDON, October 1. (Received October 2, at 11.50 a.m.) It was a great consolation to Londoners as, tired after their twentyfourth successive all-night vigil in shelters, they went to work in the morning to learn that Berliners had received the largest dose of the same medicine so far. Five waves at considerable intervals penetrated Berlin’s defences and attacked the city and suburbs. Neutral correspondents comment on the surprising paucity of the anti-air-craft fire, enabling the bombers to reach their objectives almost without molestation. British activity for the most part was concentrated on the outskirts, where most of the industrial buildings are located. A special German communique states that three British planes were shot down. “BERLINS FLEET STREET HIGH EXPLOSIVE BOMB DROPS NEAR LONDON, October 1. (Received October 2, at 11.40 a.m.) The Associated Press Berlin correspondent says the R.A.F. last night dropped at least one high explosive bomb near the Zimmerstrasse, Berlin’s Fleet Street, which is only a stone’s throw from the huge Air Ministry building and Potsdam station. A German communique says the British planes were prevented from executing attacks on northern and western Germany. A few reached Berlin and dropped bombs from a great height. The damage everywhere was small, but a number ot civilians were killed and injured.

FAMOUS DEED

ST. PAUL'S HEROES DECORATED TWO GEORGE GROSSES LONDON, October 1. (Received October 2, at 10 a.m.) Lieutenant 11. Davies and Sapper O. C. Wylie have been awarded the George Cross for their great bravery in removing the huge German bomb deeply embedded near St. Paul’s Cathedral. Two others engaged in the task were awarded the M.B.E. Lieutenant Davies’s citation states: “ So conscious was Lieutenant Davies of the danger to the cathedral that he was regardless of risk, and spared neither himself nor his men in their efforts to locate the bomb. Lieutenant Davies, in order to shield his men from further danger, drove the vehicle in which the bomb was removed and personally carried out the disposal. Sapper Wylie actually discovered and removed the bomb. His untiring energy, courage, and disregard for danger set an outstanding example to his comrades.” Sergeant Janies Wilson, who untiringly supported Lieutenant Davies until the bomb was finally located and brought to the surface, and Lance-corporal Herbert Leight, who, besides working with the excavation section, assisted Lieutenant Davies in the subsequent disposal of the bomb, each receive the medal of the British Empire Order for meritorious service. OTHER AWARDS. The George Cross has also been awarded to T. H. Alderson, detachment leader of the Bridlington rescue services, for consistent gallantry, enterprise, and devotion to duty during air raids. Fourteen recipients of the George Medal include three officers of the Dover Fire Brigade and three women. The first George Medal awarded was to a Northumberland colliery worker, Patrick King, who is a raid warden. He habitually carried a blind woman to shelter during raids. A bomb wrecked the woman’s Ijome and buried her. King dug her out, despite the continued bombing. GIRL AIR WARDEN’S HEROISM. Among the recipients of the George Medal is Miss Sonia Straw, a 19-year-old Caterham air raid warden, of whom the official announcement states: “ During an air raid Miss Straw volunteered to , give assistance to the wounded. While the raid was in progress she attended a number of cases of badly injured women and children, and treated several persons suffering from shock. She carried on entirely by herself without assistance for a considerable time until help came. Her action was most praiseworthy throughout, and she showed great courage’ and resource.” FORTIFICATION OF MARTINIQUE AMERICAN VIEWS THREAT TO WESTERN DEFENCES WASHINGTON, October 1. (Received October 2, at 10.50 a.m.) Official sources state that any fortification of Martinique will be considered a direct threat to the defences of the Americas and will undoubtedly cause the invocation of the Havana Convention. This follows a report from Vichy that it is intended to strengthen the facilities for warships at Martinique. The French Ambassador, M. Henry Haye, conferred with President Roosevelt regarding Martinique, after which M. Haye said: “The plan to resume the work on the defences of the Fort de France is old. It was prepared before the war. I am sure there is nothing important separating the American and French viewpoints.” He added that they had discussed cordially American and French relations, but not Indo-China. PAN-AMERICAN CO-OPERATION CHAIN UNITING TWO CONTINENTS WASHINGTON, October 1. (Received October 2, at 10.50 a.m.) President Roosevelt told a group of South American general staff officials, who are visiting the United States at the invitation of the United States General Staff, that Pan-Americans must co-operate in Western Hemisphere defence—one for all and all for one. In the name of the visitors the Bolivian delegate replied that the visit was another link in the chain uniting PanAmericans. SPANISH SHIPS SUNK TORPEDOED BY ITALIAN SUBMARINES • LONDON, October 1. (Received October 2, at 10 a.m.) Another Spanish ship has been torpedoed and sunk by an Italian submarine. This is the 4,290-ton steamer Monte Montvayo. She was torpedoed off Cagliair, in Sicily, on September 28. Four of her crew were killed. The Spanish trawler Almirante Jose de Carranza was torpedoed and sunk by an Italian submarine on September 19, there being only one survivor. Another Spanish ship, the Cabo Tortose, 3.302 tons, was torpedoed and sunk about the same time. There is no news of any survivors.

AXIS PACT

DESIGNED TO FRIGHTEN AMERICA A BOOMERANG EFFECT SURGE GF RESENTMENT IH UHITED STATES (British Official Wireless.) Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright RUGBY, September 30. The terms of the German, Italian, and Japanese pact have not.yet been officially communicated to London, but full Press reports of the new development are under examination in Loudon, and there is naturally considerable speculation in flie newspapers as to the reaction in various quarters. It is assumed that an early opportunity will be sought by the British, Ambassador in Moscow for a discussion of the whole situation with the Soviet Government, and the hope is expressed by some correspondents that an understanding on other outstanding problems, consequent on the, inclusion of the Baltic States within the Soviet Union, may result. THE BURMA ROAD. There is general agreement that among the subjects under discussion in London is that of the Burma road. Under the Anglo-Japanese agreement the closure ends on October 17, and the newspapers here declare that the American view inclines to the belief that immediate reopening of the road is imperative. Press opinion is interesting. The ‘Daily Telegraph,’ examining world, reactions to the pact, says; “ Germany, Italy, and Japan cannot agree in their public explanation of their exhumation of the anti-Comintern pact. In Berlin this is regarded as the grandest alliance of the ages, and hopes are expressed in a minor key that it may keep the United States out of the wax - . The Japanese Foreign Minister does not intend to challenge any Power without provocation.” '

“Neutral observers in Europe are asking whether the pact was produced to soothe the frustrated German anticipation of some substantial success. Another motive, however, is betrayed in Berlin and openly admitted in Rome—it had become necessary to frighten the United States. There has been a surge of resentment in America, and, far from restricting the despatch of armaments to this country, the pact is giving fresh stimulus to the policy of rendering all material support and assistance. Japan may thank Germany for leading her to a crisis in her relations with the United States. Neither the American people nor their Government will be content to meet further Japanese aggression with words. The Nazi pact of 250,000,000 will go down beneath the strength of nations far superior in man power and even more formidable in the command of world resources and in industrial energy.” JAPANESE IN BRITAIN. The Japanese Embassy in London has ordered 750 Japanese residents in Britain to evacuate as soon as possible. The measure is not related to the aggravation of relatibns between Britain and Japan following the conclusion of the tripartite pact, but owing to the danger confronting Japanese residents, particularly those in the London area. JOINT COMMISSIONS ESTABLISHMENT IN BERLIN AND TOKIO TOKIO, October 1. (Received October 2, at 8 a.m.) The ‘Nichi Nichi Shimbun ’ says joint technical commissions will be established soon in Tokio and Berlin to implement the tripartite pact. It says that, owing to the importance of the commissions, which would be divided into political, military, and economic categories, “ men of large calibre will b 3 apppointed.” JAPAN'S ” NEW ORDER " CHINA'S UNCOMPROMISING STAND CHUNGKING, October 1. Under no circumstances will China recognise Japanese leadership in the establishment of a so-called “ Greater Asia,” nor will she ever recognise the validity of “ the new order,” declared an official statement issued here in connection with the tripartite pact. The statement adds: “The pact clearly seeks to invalidate the legitimate rights of third Powers, both in Europe and Asia—a policy against which China has always striven. The pact can never affect China’s position and her legitimate rights, nor can it ever tend to affect the policy of China’s National Government.” JAPANESE IN AUSTRALIA NO INTENTION OF EVACUATION SYDNEY, October 2. (Received October 2, at 9.15 a.m.) The Japanese Consul-General here, Mr M. Akiyama, stated to-night that there is not the slightest intention of evacuating any of the 1,500 Japanese in Australia. Rather there would be a tendency for more Japanese to come and do business. Indeed, Japan desired closer relations, not only with Australia, but with the United States and Canada,

MESSAGE TO CZECHS

MR CHURCHILL'S INSPIRING WORDS SOUL OF FREEDOM CANNOT PERISH (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 30. A message to the Czecho-Slovak people was broadcast to-day by Mr Churchill, who said: “ To-day is the second anniversary of the Munich agreement, a date which the world will always remember for the tragic sacrifice made by the Czecho-Slovak people in the interests of European peace. The hopes that this agreement stirred in the heart of civilised mankind had been frustrated within six mouths and a solemn pledge given by the unscrupulous men who control the destiny of Germany was broken and the agreement destroyed with a ruthlessness which unmasked to the whole world the true nature of their reckless ambitious. The protection which Hitler forced upon you has been a sham and a cloak for the incorporation of your once flourishing country in the socalled greater Reich. Instead of protection ho has brought you nothing but moral and material devastation, and to-day followers of that great tolerant humanitarian, President Masaryk are being persecuted with deliberate cruelty which has few parallels in modern history. “ In this hour of your martyrdom 1 send you this message. The battle which we in Britain are fighting to-day is not only our battle, it is also your battle; indeed a battle of all the nations who prefer liberty to soulless serfdom. It is a struggle by civilised nations for the right to live their own lives in the manner of their own choosing. It represents man’s instinctive defiance of tyranny. “ Throughout history no European nation has shown a greater will to survive than yours, and again today your people have given countless proofs of their courage in adversity. Here in Britain we have welcomed with pride and gratitude your soldiers and airmen who have come by daring escapes to take part with ever increasing success in that battle for freedom which is also the battle of Czecho-Slovakia. No , less sincere is admiration of those Czechs who, on the home front, are risking death and worse than death in order to foster resistance against a cruel, heartless oppressor.

“ It is because we are both fighting for the fundamental decencies of human life that we are determined that neither our struggle nor your struggle shall be in vain. It is for this reason that we have refused to recognise any of the brutal conquests of Germany in Central Europe and elsewhere, that we have welcomed the Czecho-Slovak provisional Government in this country, and the restoration of Czecho-Slovak liberties is one of our principal war aims. With firmness and resolution, two qualities which our nations share in equal measure, these aims will be achieved. “Be of good cheer. The hour of your deliverance will come. The soul of freedom is deathless. It cannot, will not, perish.” SYRIAN SHORE BATTERIES ITALIAN COMMISSION'S DEMANDS LONDON, October 1. (Received October 2, at 11.55 a.m.) The Italian Armistice Commission in Syria is demanding that all shore batteries on the Syrian coast be kept ready for action as 'protection against aerial attack and Allied landings, states a message from Istanbul. It is persistently reported that the Italian Armistice Commission is making fresh and far-reaching demands on Syria, aimed at giving Italy and Germany a stronger grip on the country. Included in the demands are the right for former German and Italian propaganda agents to return to Syria, the right of Germans and Italians to wear party badges, and to continue the organisation of youth movements in the country, and l the issue of an Italian newspaper in Beirut, subject only to Italian censorship. RUMANIAN ARRESTS FULL INVESTIGATION PROMISED BUCHAREST, October 1. (Received October 2, at. 10.30 a.m.) General Antonescu is reported to have reprimanded the Prefect of Ploesti for permitting legionaries to arrest Britons, pointing out that legionaries have no executive powers regarding arrested persons. The British Legation in Bucharest is reported to have received a written promise from General Antonescu to investigate the case of the five arrested Britons. The United States Legation has strongly protested against the-arrest and maltreatment of an American oil official, and has demanded full satisfaction.

ECONOMIC TREATY NEGOTIATIONS WITH INDO-CHINA TOKIO, October 1. (Received October 2, at 9.15 a.m.) Mr Yomiuri said that Mr Hajime Matsumiya, the Special Ambassador to the South Seas, was proceeding to IndoChina, leaving Tokio on October 11, in order to negotiate an economic treaty with indo-China.

EGYPTIAN FRONT

BRITISH ARMY AWAITS BATTLE PREPARATIONS IN WESTERN DESERT ITALIAN ADVANCE HARASSED Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, October 1. According to a correspondent of the ‘ Daily Telegraph,’ who travelled 200 miles by road from Alexandria to the defence line in the Western Desert, the British Army is patiently waiting to do battle with the Italian forces. “ Just one hour’s drive from here,” he writes, “ across the savage, broken plain. Mussolini has piled up a store of arms ready to break on Egypt. Masses of Italian army vehicles are gathered in the Sidi Barrani sector. Red-cloaked Bedouin tribesmen are leading their flocks and little groups of timid wives deep into the desert for safety. Here and there a camel has blundered on a land mine and its carcass lies rotting in the sun. “ The gunnery of the Italians is good, a British brigadier told me. They use artillery very quickly and soundly, and also handle their motor cycles and sidecars effectively. A mass of them ride about 3,oooyds ahead of an advancing column and disperse among rocks when they are confronted by opposition and await their supports, but the whole Italian advance has been slow, simple, and laboured, averaging only about five miles a day.” The correspondent states that dugouts have been increased and deepened. The defenders have become immune from attack from the air, but not from the rats which infest the trenches.

“ Feverish work is proceeding on the construction of roada west of Sidi Barrani, but our bombers are constantly harassing the roadmen,” he adds. The correspondent revisited the British advanced position, which had been closed to visitors for some months. He noted the extensive improvements to the defences, rendering them. almost impregnable. He also saw unmistakable evidences of the strengthening of the whole of the Egyptian defences during his 200-mile journey across the desert. LIVING CONDITIONS IN LONDON PLANS BY AUTHORITIES LONDON, October 1. Plans for changing Londoners’ living conditions to accord with their position in “ the front line of war,” were revealed by Mr AVillink, who advocates the evacuation of every possible citizen who can be removed without loss to the national effort. “ There are considerably fewer houses, and most probably there will be progressively fewer. Confinement of living to ground floor basements has further reduced the living space. I am considering the establishment of hostels for men who must stay and work in London. They, their wives and mothers, require the best possible housing and protection. The emergency shelters have improved greatly during the past week, and one, despite the absence of cooking facilities, served 500 twocourse dinners in a day. Hundreds of officers and volunteers are doing their utmost to alleviate the sufferings of those rendered homeless.” The ‘ Daily Express,’ in a leader, says, “ Autumn is here and winten will come within months. Which will do more damage, Hitler or winter? Medical science has an answer to pneumonia, typhoid, and influenza epidemics, but the best answer is to check the spread of conditions that breed these scourges. A good job must be made of fitting up tubes, because they have sleeping room for many thousands of Londoners. Bunks, canteens, and sanitation must be installed. EVANS OF THE BROKE A NEW POST (British Official Wireless. \ RUGBY, October 1. (Received October 2, at 11 a.m.) Evans of the Broke, who is one of London’s Regional Commissioners, has been given the special task of organising the London shelter arrangements. This appointment follows those of Mr H. Willink, organiser for the provision of homes for London’s homeless, and Sir Warren Fisher, who is to co-ordinate the restoring of communications and to undertake the tasks of demolition and salvage. [‘Evans of the Broke ” is Admiral Sir E. G. R. Evans, who was second in command of the Antarctic expedition under the late Captain Scott. He did memorable work on H.M.S. Broke in the last war.] NEW ZEALANDER'S DEATH KILLED IN ROAD ACCIDENT [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, October 2. Official advice has been received that Private David John Evans, 23rd Canterbury Battalion, was killed in England as the result of a road accident on September 28. His mother is Mrs Mary Ann Evans, of 75 Epuni street. Wellington,

LOW-LEVEL ATTACK

R.A.F. IN MIDDLE EAST ITALIAN PLANES DESTROYED (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, October 1. (Received October 2, at 1.48 p.m.)' A low level attack on Makawa aerodrome by a formation of Blenheims resulted in the destruction of three Savoia 79’s—two were blown up and one waa set on fire—states a Royal Air'Force Cairo communique. Others are believed, to have been severaly damaged. The aerodrome buildings were also attacked, and two suffered direct hits. On the homeward journey one flight of our aircraft was intercepted by 15 enemy fighters, and in an evening engagement , two fighters were shot down. A third fell in flames. One of our, aircraft is missing. A raid was carried out on Tobruk, a large fire being started among the buildings on the foreshore. • The ship, harbour is also believed to have received direct hits. ITALIANS USE NEW BDMB (By Radio.) DAYENTRY, October 2. The Italians are using a completely new type of bomb in the Middle East. This missile has been called the vacuum flask bomb because it resembles the ordinary picnic vacuum flask. It has a nuisance value in that the Italians drop them liberally in fields and on the desert. They are perfectly safe when standing upright, but explode violently when tilted the slightest degree. AIR RAID ON KUNMING FOREIGN PROPERTY SUFFERS HEAVILY JAPANESE OPERATING FROM NEW BASE TOKIO, October I. (Received October 2, afc 8 a.m.) It is officially announced that Majorgeneral Sumita is replacing Majorgeneral Nishi Hara as head of the |Tapanese delegation in Indo-China. Foreign property at Kunming suffered heavily when 27 Japanese plane* from the newly-acquired bases in IndoChina subjected Kunming to thq most severe raid yet experienced. There were no foreign casualties. GERMANY'S FOOD SUPPLIES DECLARED PLENTIFUL BY MINISTER LONDON, September 30The German Food Minister, Dr Darre, said that all the British prophecies* with regard to the collapse of Germany’s supplies had proved false. The harvest was only 2 per cent, below the average for 1934-38, and the bread supply was secure for a long period. Germany had 6,200,000 tons of grain in hand, the potato harvest would probably be,60,000,000 tons, or 5,G00.000 tons above last year, sugar beet reached the record high level of 20.000,000 tons, the fat ration Had not been reduced, and the meat ration would not be reduced all winter. A favourable harvest of root vegetables would permit the fattening of more pigs, and vegetable prospects were good, but fruit was poor. Deliveries of milk had increased 10 to 16 per cent., making more butter available. The difficulties in Belgium and Holland were greatly exaggerated abroad. It would be their own fault if a few French towns were hungry in winter. New penalties were being imposed in France for unlawful dealings in provisions. These included death. The German radio states that the new German-Yugoslav trade agreements have been signed. The most important provision is the intensfication of the economic relations between thf two countries. A German agricultural mission ha* arrived at Budapest and is working out closer food co-operation between Germany and Hungary. The Rome radio says an Iranian delegation is going to Berlin to negotiate a trade agreement. FIGHTER COMMAND CHIEF HONOURED BY KING (Bri tlfli Official Wireless.) (RUGBY, September 30. The King has appointed 'Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding to be a Knight of the Grand Cross (Military Division) of the Bath. Sir Hugh Dowding is Commander-in-Chief of the Fighter Command. This high appointment to' the order of chivalry may be taken as an acknowledgment of the success of his Fighter Command, obtained against the enemy air force. Responsible for the air dei fence of Britain, which includes command of the balloon barrage, anti-air-craft guns, searchlights, and a network of Observer Corps, Sir Hugh Dowding is also charged with the duty of deciding when air-raid warnings should be sounded.