DAWN STAND-TO
TROOPS IN FRANCE INSPECTION BY KING AIR PATROLS WATCH FIGHTERS SENT ALOFT (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Dec. 8, 11 a.in.) LONDON, Dec. 7. The largest concentration of troops in the British zone since the outbreak of war began at dawn yesterday for the second day of the King’s tour of the Western Front. General Lord Gort, Commander-in-Chief of the British Expeditionary Force, and the Duke of Gloucester, again accompanied His Majesty. Thousands assembled at the numerous points the King visited in the course of his 80 miles’ journey. The sky was clear and it seemed just the weather to tempt aircraft into the sky, and for this reason protective patrols circled overhead continually. The King covered several miles on foot and saw the operation room of tiie Royal Air Force aerodrome and studied the way the movements of hostile aircraft were recorded. At the invitation of the commanding the King g'ave orders !by telephone to patrol fighters, who were in the air within 30 seconds. He spoke to a number of pilots, including a 24-year-old flyer who is credited with bringing down the first German machine in France. “A jolly good show,” the King remarked. His Majesty lunched with several French generals in an eighteenth-century chateau where Napoleon slept and where the Duke of Wellington had his headquarters. The King's inspection yesterday included visits to aerodromes, a review of the Guards Regiment and a parade of several thousand troops belonging to various brigades. The tour was resumed early to-day, following a brief conversation with war correspondents on the terrace of the Chateau where His Majesty spent the night. The distinguished French writer, M. Andre Maurois, and the doyen of British correspondents, Sir Philip Gibbs, were among those with whom the King conversed. Later, accompanied by the Duke of Gloucester and Lord Gort, the King left to continue his tour of areas in which units of the force are stationed.
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Bibliographic details
Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20115, 8 December 1939, Page 7
Word Count
323DAWN STAND-TO Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20115, 8 December 1939, Page 7
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