VAST WEB OF DESTRUCTION

Evening Star, Issue 23700, 7 October 1940, Page 5

VAST WEB OF DESTRUCTION

R.A.F. Bombing Raids on Germany ENEMY’S WAR MACHINE CRIPPLED Attacks on Channel Ports Remove Invasion Threat (British Official Wireless.) Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright EUGBY, October 6. (Received October 7, at 12.15 p.m.) How the E.A.F. is smashing -Germany’s industries and war machine nightly while the Germans are bombing London’s houses and shops is shown on a huge map issued by the Ministry of Information. The map shows the vast web of destruction woven by British bombers, which have struck at over 200 military targets, while over 700 blows have been struck against Germany herself. Beside each name of a bombed target is the number of times it has been attacked, for instance, Berlin 15, Wilhelmshaven 20, Frankfurt 12. A map of the Euhr in an inset shows that every important town has been a victim of the E.A.F. Hamm has had over 60 raids and Essen 16. The Ministry of Information, in accompanying notes stressing the significance of some of the targets, says: “ We still bomb Germany’s aluminium plants. The E.A.F. in the past two months has continuously attacked oil plants in Western Germany, which normally produce 40 per cent, of her total of 2,500,000 tons of oil yearly. Now the E.A.F. is paying attention to 'central Germany, where over 50 per cent, of the oil production is carried on. The Ministry repeats the belief that the bombings have already appreciably reduced aircraft production, while the damage to Hamburg and Bremen has prevented the loading and unloading of any ships there. The E.A.F. has also been interfering with internal water transport and rail, traffic, resulting in entire industries often being interrupted. The bombing of invasion ports not only removes the threat of a German landing, but handicaps inland waterways in occupied territories because barges have been brought down from the Ehine and other German rivers, which normally carry huge loads of her goods. The most telling proof of the E.A.F.'s damage is found in the German Press, which is now forced to make cautious admissions in view of public opinion.”

tacked the oil plant at Gelsenkirchen. For nearly half an hour the targets were repeatedly bombed. A series of minor explosions followed the bursting of heavy-calibre bombs, and incendiary bombs scattered across the factory area started several fires, one of which quickly developed into a great blaze. Two tops of high-explosive bombs were dropped on Krupp’s armament factory at Essen in a lightning attack from a high level soon after 9 o’clock. In the raid on Hamm explosions occurred after the bombs burst. Raiding forces operating in Holland bombed docks and harbour works at Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Flushing. At Rotterdam heavy-calibre bombs were seen to burst along dockside, and buildings on the north bank opposite the dock entrance were set on fire. The dock area on the south side of the river was the chief target at Amsterdam. Here great fires, visible from 20 miles away, resulted from the bombing. At Flushing heavy-calibre bombs which struck the dock started a train of explosions lasting 10 minutes and set fires blazing which could be seen by aircraft far out to sea. Bombs were also dropped on occupied aerodromes at Schipol, Texel, Oldebrock, and Bussum. At Oldebroek bombs were seen to burst across the landing ground close to a lighted flare path. After the attack on Bussura enemy aircraft seen circling over the aerodrome were attacked by machine-gun fire and driven off. FREE FRENCH FORCES 'COMMITTEES IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, October 6. (Received! October 7, at 1.22 p.m.) Headquarters of the Free French Forces announce that a number of national committees are being created in all foreign countries where there are important colonies of French people. Those committees are acting in close cooperation with the Free French Forces and in the framework of laws of their residence. At the moment such committees have been set up in the following countriesßrazil, Argentine, Uruguay, Chile, Mexico, Canada, the United States, Egypt, South Africa, Australia, and Mauritius. In 20 other countries private individuals of French nationality have offered their services in this respect, and General do Gaulle has selected in each of these countries representatives who have been duly appointed and are setting up national committees wherever these do not exist already. The announcement adds that from all parts of the world headquarters of the Free French Forces have received messages reaffirming their loyalty to the the Free France movement. These messages have particular significance after the Dakar incidents. General de Gaulle has replied thanking the signatories for their encouragement and reaffirming his belief in final victory in co-operation with the Allies.

BOMBING ATTACKS

R.A.F. OVER GERMANY IRURP'S WORKS AGAIN SINGLED OUT (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, October 6. (Received October 7, at 11 a.m.) The Royal Air Force last night attached oil plants, railway yards, and other industrial targets in Germany and also aerodromes and concentrations of barges and shipping in Holland. Our bombers attacked the oil plant at Gelsenkirchen, Krupp’s works at Essen, goods yards at Hamm, Osnabruck, and Cologne, and shipping at Rotterdam. Aircraft of the Coastal Command attacked shipping and warehouses at Brest, and barge and motor transport concentrations at Gravelines. Routine mine-laying operations were carried out. Three of our planes are missing A later message states: R.A.F. raiders last night arrived at Brest just as night was falling. Despite a haze they ■were able to see outlines of the dock and their salvoes of heavy bombs smashed quays and damaged the dry dock. One of the pilots reported that his bombs, which struck the road by the side of one of the quays, caused a series of heavy explosions as if ammunition sheds were hit. Another squadron left crescent fires at Gravelines after a visit in which it interspersed heavy bombs with large quantities of incendiaries. VIOLENT STORMS ENCOUNTERED ALL ATTACKS PRESSED HOME (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, October 6. (Received October 7, at 1.35 p.m.) An oil storage plant in the Ruhr, Krupp’s armament factory at Essen, and docks at Rotterdam, Amsterdam, and Flushing were among the targets successfully attacked on Saturday night by aircraft of .the Bomber Command. The weather was extremely bad over the entire operations area. The bomber crews had to contend with severe icing conditions, violent electrical storms, and widespread low cloud which necessitated blind flying over a great part of the route. One raider, which penetrated into the Ruhr to carry out an attack on the railway yard at Hamm, found the whole route almost completely covered with cloud on the outward journey, and when coming home ran into an electrical storm belt 5,000 ft in depth. Other aircraft reported clouds to within 100 ft of the ground and violent static, which made wireless communication impossible, and temperatures. well below freezing point. The raiding forces which succeeded in reaching the Ruhr located and at-

SINISTER CHORUS

LONDON’S GREAT ANTIAIRCRAFT BARRAGE MORE INTENSIVE THAN EVEN SOME BOMBS DBOPPEB ON CAPITAL Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, October 6. (Received October 7, at 9.5 a.m.) Londoners had a long night of shattering gunfire and crashing bombs. Even people in the deepest shelters felt the violence of the anti-aircraft barrage, which at many times seemed greater in intensity than hitherto experienced. The guns barked out almost immediately after the alert, and continued sometimes for long periods. They were occasionally heard singly, but more frequently in a sinister chorus, in which several calibres could be distinguished. The official account says enemy air attacks during the night were directed mainly against London and adjacent areas. A few small scale attacks of short duration were also made on some other parts of the country both last evening and last night. Dwelling houses, commercial and industrial premises in London and some surrounding districts suffered damage. A number of fires were caused, bub many were quickly put out, and all have been brought under control. A number of casualties, some fatal, are reported. Bombs were also dropped on places in eastern counties, south-east England, and on a few points elsewhere. Houses and other buildings in some localities were destroyed or damaged. The number of casualties reported from all these areas is small. An enemy bomber was destroyed'during the night. Three more of our pilots reported missing yesterday are now known to be safe. Our loss, therefore, was only two. BOMBERS BROUGHT DOWN LONDON, October 6. The Air Ministry announces that one German bomber was destroyed over London during the night. Another raider, which was taking advantage of low cloud near London, was shot down early this morning. An unofficial report states that another raider was destroyed in the early morning.

TIP-AND-RUN RAIDERS

FAILURE TO REACH CENTRAL LONDON POLISH SQUADROH SECURES GOOD “ BAG " LONDON, October 6. (Received October 7, at 12.15 p.m.) Tip-and-run raiders, taking advantage of low cloud, were active early to-day. Several crossed the coast heading for London, but were turned back by antiaircraft fire before reaching the centre of the city. Bombs are reported to have dropped in the south-western and south-eastern districts. A few minutes before the first alert in the London area in the morning British fighters intercepted enemy planes over the north-west area and single raiders over the outskirts of London again in the afternoon. When a salvo of seven bombs dropped in east London early in the morning one struck a tunnel of a public shelter in which many had been sheltering all night and killed three women and two men. The Air Ministry news service says the Canadian Air Force squadron, also Poles, participated in yesterday’s air battle over Kent. One Polish squadron destroyed eight Messerschmitts. WEEK’S PLANE LOSSES GERMANY 104: BRITAIN 40 (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, October 6. (Received October 7, at 1.10 p.m.) It is authoritatively stated that during the week ending midnight, October 5, the confirmed German aeroplane losses in battles over Britain amounted to 104, not including machines damaged or probably lost. On the basis of confirmed plane losses alone the German pilot losses are estimated to exceed 250. In the same period the R.A.F. lost 40 machines in and around Britain, but from these 21 of the pilots were saved. LONE RAIDERS WEATHER FAVOURS INDISCRIMINATE BOMBING (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Otcober 6. (Received October 7, at 1.10 p.m.) Weather conditions to-day favoured indiscriminate bombing from above low clouds, and reports from unofficial sources that this was largely the work of lone raiders are borne out by the following Air Ministry and Home Security communique. “ During Sunday enemy aircraft flying singly or in small formations made attacks on a number of places in south-east England and in the London area. A few bombs were dropped in the east Midlands and East Anglia. At Folkestone and a town in Northamptonshire high explosives demolished some houses and caused a small number of casualties, some ol

NIGHT AIR RAIDERS

PROBLEM OF INTERCEPTION WELL OH WAY TO SOLUTION Press Association— By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, October 6. A Government spokesman stated the problem of night intercepion or air raiders was well on the way to solution. Details could not be released, ho added, but he confirmed the impression of the reduced effectiveness of German night bombing this week, due more to greater practice of anti-aircraft gunners with a new predictor and consequently increased accuracy, fear of winch, judged by the demeanour of prisoners, finds no place in a German airman s make-up. MORE WARY. The morale of the German air force shows no sign of breaking, although Germany’s great losses have made the raiders more wary, particularly of the British eight-gun fighters. The R.A.P. has found the Berlin anti-aircraft defences a tough nut to crack, the gunners beng accurate and the fire usually constant. The spokesman rated the Italian air force as 25 per cent, good, 50 per cent, and 25 per cent, rubbish. The Italian machines were not as manoeuvreable as the British, and are vastly inferior in armament. FIERCE DEFENCE BARRAGE. -Experts agree that last night’s barrage over London was the second heaviest, if not the heaviest, of the war. More guns and more different types of guns were in action than previously, and in tho early part of the night there was hardly five minutes’ quietness. Enemy night raids were practcially confined to London and South-east England, but they were small and brief. Houses and commercial and industrial buildings were damaged* and fires were started, but the fires were extinguished by morning. Some damage to property and a few casualties were caused by enemy raids in eastern counties. bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb TOTAL PLANE LOSSES BRITISH, GERMAN, AND ITALIAN LONDON, October 6. (Received October 7, at 12.5 p.m.) The total plane losses to midnight on October 4 were; — British 1,437 German 4,694 Italian 211 aaaaßßßßaaaaaaßßaaaa

PASTING THE BULLY

FLIGHT-COMMANDERS' IMPRESSIONS R.A.F. MORE FULL OF FIGHT THAN EVER (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, October 6. v (Received October 7, at 1.41 p.m.) The descriptions of their impressions and expressions of opinion which two fighter flight-commanders broadcast on Sunday evening were listened to with interest by the general public, who are more or less passive participants in the “ Battle of Britain.” One flight-comander, who has five German aircraft to his credit, said: “ My pilots, as well as those of the rest of the Fighter Command, are probably even more full of fight now than previously, because we have been at grips with the Luftwaffe in so many circumstances that we have come to know its measure. It is the measure of a bully and everyone likes to paste a bully. But, speaking of the Luftwaffe at large, I know that, whatever its strength in numbers, it will never succeed in effectively damaging this country’s war effort. The day will come soon, I hope, when there will be a British fighter in the air for every German aircraft. I do not believe scores will stay to fight. If they do stay, there will ho few who will live to fight another day.” This pilot was followed by a flightlieutenant of the Australian Air Force, who comes from Brisbane. “ I agree entirely,” he said, ‘‘ that if the British squadrons can keep up their present punch—and they will—it will be a sad day for Germany when we get anything approaching equality in numbers.”

wliich were fatal. At several other places enemy aircraft dived from the clouds and delivered short bursts of machine gun fire and quickly flow off. A few persons were injured as the result of these attacks. “ Elsewhere, though bombs fell in a number of widely-separated places, little damage was caused and the number of casualties is small. “ Weather conditions made interception by our fighters difficult, but reports so far received show that one enemy bomber was shot down.” GERMAN COMMUNIQUE LONDON, October 6. (Received October 7, at 12.5 p.m.) A German communique again claims effective bombing of docks, supply works, arms factories, and others military targets. It adds that an attempt by the R.A.F. to penetrate Northern Germany was frustrated in the frontier area. Bombs were dropped on throe German villages and one town in Holland, and caused several civilian casualties.

WINTER AIR FIGHTING

NEW PROBLEMS ARISE CHANGED CONDITIONS LIKELY TO FAVOUR RAF. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, October 6. (Received October 7, at 11.28 a.m.) Contrasting the problems of winter air campaign facing the British R.A.F. and the German Luftwaffe, experts are of opinion that the greatest German difficulties are likely to be icing conditions, which may hamper planned extensive raiding. At the same time Britain will probably be visited throughout the coming winter months by single “ nuisance raiders,” which may bo unable to do any damage of military importance, but can continue the annoyance of indiscriminate bombing of dwelling houses and civilians. On the other hand, R.A.P. pilots of night bombers will have the advantage of the experience gained during operations over Germany last winter, which was one of the hardest winters they could possibly have encountered, and, being fully trained and equipped to combat ice, cloud, and poor visibility, should bo able to turn the bad weather to much better account than tho German pilots who have had no similar training. It is even suggested in some quarters that while night bombing is likely to continue on the same scale throughout tho winter as at present, daylight raids may bo possible by the R.A.P. over Germany by the use of the cover afforded by clouds.

BRITISH PARLIAMENT

PLANS FOR REASSEMBLY MR CHURCHILL TO REVIEW WAR SITUATION FRANK STATEMENT OH DAKAR EXPECTED (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, October 6. (Received October 7, at 11.58 a.m.) When Parliament reassembles Mr Churchill is expected to take the earliest opportunity to review the war situation. Political observers expect that he will make a frank statement on the Dakar expedition and at the same time deal with the situation, both military and civil, after four weeks of the air blitzkrieg over London. Members of the House of Commons are likely to raise the whole question of comfort for and protection of the civilian population during the coming winter. On the latter part of the statement Parliament, which expected to resume its regular sitting on two or three days a week, will have to pass an Act prolonging its own life. From the point of view of customary procedure it may not be found necessary to go through the formalities of opening the now session this autumn. As there cannot bo a legislative programme on normal lines such as is usually outlined at the beginning of a new session, there seems no reason why the present session should not be carried on from week to week to deal with problems as they arise.

VIENNA AGREEMENT

“ NOT A SETTLEMENT AT ALL” HUNGARIAN'RUMANiAN UNREST PERSISTS LONDON, October 6. (Received October 7, at 2 p.m.) The ‘ Daily Telegraph’s ’ Balkans correspondent says Hungarian and Rumanian relations show that the Vienna agreement is not a settlement at all. Big groups of Hungarians are left within Rumania, while Hungary has absorbed vast Rumanian-populated areas. Moreover, Hungary has no intention of regarding the settlement as final. It seems to be dawning on countries hitherto persuaded that an Axis victory is a foregone conclusion that, after all, there is a remote possibility of a British victory; also that the Axis is not likely to have things all its own way. A country like Hungary, therefore, has a natural tendency to cash in as much as possible on the grounds that “if the Axis wins we keep. If the Axis is defeated or weakened then the more we have the less wo are likely to lose proportionately.” RUMANIANS EXPELLED ORDERED OUT OF TRANSYLVANIA BUCHAREST, October 6. (Received October 7. at 1.30 p.m.) Two hundred and eighty Rumanian intellectuals have arrived at Curtici from Transylvania. They declared that the Hungarian authorities, without warning, ordered their departure. HUNGARY'S EXPLANATION BUDAPEST, October 6. It is semi-officially stated that Rumania’s intransigency in the negotiations for the return of refugees has compelled Hungary to take reprisals and expel certain Rumanians. “ The expelled Rumanians are only a fraction of the number of Hungarians expelled from Rumania,” it is stated. ”If Rumania continues the expulsions,, Hungary will he compelled to take stronger reprisals. ”

RESCUES AT SEA

GOOD WORK BY COASTAL COMMAND AIRCRAFT MANY LIFEBOATS AND RAFTS SPOTTED FROM AIR (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, October 6. (Received October 7, at 12.20 p.m.) “ Nearly 500 survivors from ships lost in the Atlantic were saved in the last few months through the good work of Coastal Command aircraft,” states an Air Ministry bulletin. “ Sunderland flying boats, both of the dI.A.F. and the Royal Australian Air Force, and other aircraft patrol far out over tho Atlantic every day escorting convoys and searching for many miles round the convoys. They sometimes find lifeboats and rafts drifting helplessly out of sight of passing ships. Tho most famous of these rescues was that of September 25, when 46 survivors of the City of Benares were picked up after she had been torpedoed 600 miles from land. ” There have been similar cases. One Sunderland found two boatloads of people who were suffering severely from thirst. They signalled that they had food, but no water. The flying boat dropped its own fresh water supply and all its cigarettes in a carefullysealed package kept afloat by a lifejacket, then brought up a rescue ship. Two people on a raft were sighted a few days later. They, too, were rescued. “ Boats are mere dots of grey on the water when first seen from an aircraft. Binoculars come into play. The pilot goes down to 20ft or 30ft to investigate. If the dot is a lifeboat or raft, then a package of supplies plumps into the sea nearby and the aircraft flashes a cheerful message that help is coming. A smoke float is dropped to mark the position, then the aircraft goes off in search of a ship to be guided to the spot.”

EASTERN THEATRE

NAVAL UNIT IN ACTION ITALIAN BASES BOMBARDED CAIRO, October 6. (Received October 7, at 9.15 a.m.) A R.A.F. communique says: Antiaircraft guns at Malta broke up an Italian formation, whereupon our fighters shot down one machine and severely damaged another. We bombed Fort Saleaya, 40 miles south of Galabat, and also hit buildings at Agordat and the railway at Aisha. The South African Air Force hit barracks at Mega. Our planes returned safely from all these operations. A naval communique says a naval unit bombarded the naval and air base at Stampalia, in the Dodecanese Islands, on the night of October 2-3. ITALIAN REPORT ROME, October 6. (Received October 7, at 12.5 p.m.) An Italian communique says: “ Two enemy submarines have been sunk. The enemy bombed Assab. There was slight damage. ITALIANS RAID MERSA MATBUH ONLY THREE CASUALTIES CAUSED (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, October 6. 7, at 12.5 p.m.) A Cairo communique states; Yesterday Mersa Matruh, Egypt, was raided by enemy bombers escorted by fighters, causing three casualties. There was little damage. Anti-aircraft fire hit one plane and, it is believed, damaged two others. There is nothing to report on the other fronts.

JAPAN’S THREATS

WAR OR PEACE IN PACIFIC DIRECT WARNING TO AMERICA PRIME MINISTER'S TRUCULENT STATEMENT Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright TOKIO, October 5. The Japanese Prime Minister, Prince Konoye, in an interview at Kyoto, said the question of war or peace in the Pacific depended on “ whether the United States and Japan can respect and understand each other’s positions.” Prince Konoye added that the alliance with the Axis was based on such mutual recognition, and the United States could have the same as a quid pro quo, but no overtures to America were planned in this regard. “ Should the United States refuse and persist in regarding the alliance as a hostile act, there will be no other course than war,” Prince Konoye said.

“MOST SERIOUS CHALLENGE”

AMERICAN VIEW OF AXIS ALLIANCE DEFINITELY DIRECTED AGAINST UNITED STATES WASHINGTON, October 5. The Secretary for the Navy, Colonel Knox, said the Japanese-German-Italian alliance was the most serious challenge to the American mode of life in history. The alliance was directed against the United States, which was the largest obstacle in the totalitanans’ path should Britain fail to stem the tide of tyranny. “ International brigands,” Colonel Knox added, “ surround the United States, whose destruction would be their greatest victory. Never understanding us, they suppose our people can be brought under their iron rule. Both as an American and as a navy official, I know differently. If a fight is forced upon us we will be ready. Wo have never lost a war yet.” The acquisition of bases from Britain had moved the Atlantic war theatre one thousand miles eastward, Colonel Knox declared. Hundreds, even thousands, of saboteurs were in the United States. Every shipyard,- factory, arsenal, and powder plant must be guarded, he said. ' BIG DEFENCE PROGRAMME EMPLOYMENT FOR MILLIONS WASHINGTON, October 6. (Received October 7, at 9.15 a.m.) Miss Frances Perkins, Secretary of Labour, predicted an increase of 3,000,000 or 4,000,000 workers in the defence industries, an additional 2,000,000 indirectly, by the end of 1941. She said the completion of work on the present defence appropriations would require 4,540,000 men and many years’ labour. AMERICANS LEAVING SHANGHAI NO GENERAL ORDER ISSUED SHANGHAI, October 6. Although no official general order has been issued, Americans who approached their authorities for guidance have been recommended to evacuate their women and children without delay. The regular commercial means of communication to America have been booked to capacity for two months ahead as a result of the sudden rush to evacuate women and children during the last few days. NAVAL RESERVISTS CALLED UP WASHINGTON, October 6. The Navy Department has summoned 27,000 naval reservists, of whom 11,289 are already on duty. The total strength is now 235,000. WEI-HAI’WEI LEASE CHUNGKING, October 5. Questioned regarding the report of the possible seizure by the Japanese of Wei-hai-wei, a Chinese military spokesman declared that the responsibility would rest with Britain, as China had renewed the lease of Wei-hai-wei to Britain for 10 years.

FRENCH INDO-CHINA

JAPANESE ECONOMIC MISSION TOKID, October 5. The Japanese Foreign Office has announced that an economic mission is going to Indo-China to cement closer economic conditions. The Governor of Indo-China, ViceAdmiral Decoux, decorated General Nishi Hara, leader of the Japanese Indo-China mission, with the Order of the Dragon, of Annam, with the rank of grand officer, before General Nishi Hara’s departure on a “ pleasure trip ” to Southern Indo-China, where the Indo-Chinese and Thailand troops are massed on the border.

THE AXIS LEADERS

BRENNER PASS CONFERENCE BRITISH PRESS COMMENT PEACE RUMOURS REGARDED WITH SUSPICION (British Official Wireless.) Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright RUGBY, October 5. Diplomatic circles in London do not appear to be greatly impressed by tffia exceedingly vague content of the official statement put out after, the thre® hours’ conference of the Axis leader* at Brenner. As the ‘ Daily Telegraph ’ points out, two fields of action have been tempting the Axis leaders following the disappointment of their hopes of an early. British collapse. These are the Balkans and Africa, rivalries between the German and Italian interests in the Balkans, which the Axis has done little to compose. Africa may be easier than the Balkans to divide on paper, and Mussolini might be willing to accept orders, since he must face the fact that on the sea the German navy is in no case to assist the Italian or cavil at its eminent caution. The 4 Daily Telegraph ’ sums up by referring to 44 rumour talks of some major move and whispers of peace proposals.” “It is equally possible,” it states, “ that the suggestion of an offered peace may cloak the imminence of fresh military action, or than another sham of pacific intentions may be offered us. We are ready for the first, and wo shall not be deceived by the second.” LUFTWAFFE’S FAILURE.^. Although alj the British newspapers give prominence to the meeting of the Axis leaders, little editorial comment is made. The' 4 Daily Telegraph,’ under the heading, 44 Next Move,” states; 44 Hitler met Mussolini on the Brenner pass in the middle of March, and then arranged that Italy should wait to enter the war till Germany disposed of France. In the middle of June they conferred again to divide the spoils. Since that time everything has gone awry with the dictatorships. The Luftwaffe was to have overwhelmed the British Air Force and opened our shores to mass invasion long before this. Italy should have swept the Mediterranean, cut off our armies in the Near East, and struck at the central communication of the Empire. Berlin advertised that it would celebrate Germany’s total triumph last month.” Speaking of yesterday’s meeting, th® ‘.Daily Telegraph * says: 44 When Hitler shook hands with Mussolini they were able to exchange congratulations on the shattering defeat of the Luftwaffe, on the destruction of the flotillas of invasion, on the continually heavier bombing of Germany’s war machine, on the recurring flights of the Italian fleet, the incapacity of the Italian air force, and the prolonged hesitation of the Italian army hundreds of desert miles away from the Nije and the Suez Canal.” BERLIN AND ROME REPORTS. A Berlin message states that the German Press unanimously declares that Europe and Africa represent a whole for which the Axis will make its political and military decisions in one inclusive programme for action. The Brenner Pass conference definitely shaped the picture of the new Europe to include Africa. A Rome message states that it is denied that the meeting at Brenner Pas* between Mussolini and Hitler was in any way related to a peace move. It is also denied that German troops are participating in Marshal Graziani’s offensive. The only German detachment in Africa is a company of volunteer* from German residents in Abyssinia. RECRUITING IN AUSTRALIA RESUMPTION UNDER PRESENT PLANS SYDNEY, October 7. (Received October 7, at 1.15 p.m.) The Minister of the Army (Mr M'Bride) said the recruiting of troop* for the A.I.F. would he resumed under the present plans after large number* of A.I.F. soldiers now in Australia had been sent overseas. He added that no date for the resumption of recruiting bad been fixed.

FOREIGN MINISTER S STATEMENT

FLAT DENIAL ISSUED TOKIO, October 6. (Received October 7, at 9.15 a.m.) Mr Matsuoka denied the statements attributed to him, especially that “ I flung a challenge to America.” He said it was unimaginable that any person in such a responsible position as » Foreign Minister could have said thatf “ I made no such remarks,” he df dared. CHUNGKING BOMBED CONSULAR AREA DAMAGED CHUNGKING, October 6. (Received October 7, at 12.5 p.m.V Sixty Japanese planes bombed the main road between the Walled City and the modern consular area in Chungking, damaging the British Embassy,, a French Catholic hospital, and many; other buildings in the consular area.