WAR DIARY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 258, 28 September 1940, Page 7

WAR DIARY.

MAIN EVENTS OF WEEK

The air war lias continued at a furious tempo this week, Britain retaliating for the indiscriminate German raids on London by crippling the great industrial and power plants of Berlin. The principal features of the week’s news are as follow :

September 21.—Trail of destruction left by R.A.F. raiders in Nazi invasion bases and ports of Germany. General de Gaulle states, that more at d more colonies are rallying to France. September 22.—More extensive enemy raids on Britain. It.A.F. bomb Channel ports from dusk to dawn. Announcement made of sinking by German submarine in mid-Atlantic of City of Benares (11,000 tons) carrying child evacuees to Canada, 79 of whom were drowned. R.A.F. harry Italian supply columns and troops ili Western Desert. September 23. —Clash at Dakar (French AVest Africa) between local authorities and French warships under General de Gaulle and British warships supporting him. Large fi rmations of enemy bombers broken up approaching Britain; few bombers reach Ltndon. The King, in stirring speech, praises courage of British civilians and announces new decorations for them. First enemy air raid on Cyprus. Sustained attacks on Germany by British airmen.

September 24.—Berlin suffers its most serious attack from It.A.F. bombers. Extensive damage wi ought, particularly to power stations and gasworks. Further random bombing of London and other parts of England. Enemy minesweepers in Channel damaged by British bombers. September 25.—Frenzied Nazi air raids on Central London, including well-known shopping areas. Bural ■areas, also Bristol district, attacked. Power stations and' industrial plants in Berlin heavily iaided by B.A.F. Channel ports also hammered. General de Gaulle’s and British forces withdrawn from Dakar.

September 26.—Devastating air raids on Berlin industrial and power plants, and other vital spots in Germany. French Channel ports again fiercely bombarded by B.A.F. Thirtyfour enemy planes d;stroyed in sharp battle over England.

September 27.—Ten-year military, political and economic pact between Japan, Germany and Italy reported from Berlin. Another sweeping victory for B.A.F. in air battles over Britain —l3O enemy aircraft destroyed. Channel ports and German centres again hammered.