PLANES GIVEN BY DUTCH

Southland Times, Issue 24231, 14 September 1940, Page 5

PLANES GIVEN BY DUTCH

MONEY SUBSCRIBED IN EAST INDIES (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, September 12. Queen Wilhelmina and her Ministers are already doing everything possible to begin immediately, as soon as the moment comes, the revictualling of the Netherlands with foodstuffs as well as raw materials for the economic restoration of the country “We fully appreciate,” said Queen Wilhelmina, broadcasting, “that notwithstanding our considerable merchant navy it will not be possible to give everybody immediately what he wants. But we trust that the Dutch solidity of plan will guarantee a steady mounting flow.”

Expressing her heartfelt thanks for the countless expressions of congratulation, affection and sympathy received on the occasion of her sixtieth birthday, Queen Wilhelmina said that the commemoration had developed into an overwhelming demonstration for the restoration of the independence of the Netherlands and reunion in undisturbed freedom within the framework of the Dutch State of the Dutch community of 70,000,000 citizens. This was an historical fact of lasting significance. “A people which has vitality and a strong will cannot be subjected merely by force of arms,” said the Queen. “As a united people we will endure this trial. New proof of this can be found in the spontaneous generosity of the Netherlands East Indies for the Queen Wilhelmina Fund, which has been put at my disposal. “The patriotism of the donors and their strong will to win the war for the liberation of the Netherlands 1 has given rise to their wish that part of the contributions of a total of 5,000,000 guilders shall be spent for military purposes in the Allied struggle. In conformity with the intention of the donors I have informed the King of Britain that they plan to give a number of military aeroplanes through the medium of the Prince Bernhardt Fund, in which fund this amount will be deposited. “These great demonstrations of unity and the will to independence, together with such signs of national generosity and energy, cannot but lift us above the difficulties and sorrows of these days and enable us to look with confidence to the future, which, under God’s blessing, will give us all back a free independent country.” The fund is to be used to supply 40 Vickers Spitfires and 18 Lockheed Hudson bombers to the Royal Air Force. SEARCH FOR ITALIAN SHIPS MEDITERRANEAN FLEET LONDON, September 1. A correspondent, writing from Gibraltar, states that, while the Italian Fleet is rusting in its harbours, the British Fleet is still scouring the seas, hoping for adventures, and keeping its personnel fit by constant training. He writes: I have just spent four days at sea in the most luxurious warship afloat—although the Germans and Italians have often sunk her over the radio. This vast aircraft carrier is still a compact gem of mechanical contrivances. With stores loaded, she is an independent city, with a complement of 1600. .

The routine aboard is very fascinating. Every aircraft taking off for any reason must be in the air in the fewest possible minutes, as is also the case when it is landing and descending to the hangars below the flight deck. A remarkable understanding prevails between the officers and men without any relaxation of discipline or etiquette. Almost everything has its nickname. When I was permitted to fly I discarded my “Shirley Temple” (the nickname for the small lifebelt always carried) and donned the stouter “Mae West.” I climbed into the aeroplane, and the “monkey tail”—a new safety belt appliance swivelled on to the flier’s rear—was hooked to the cockpit’s floor. Three machines, “Batty,” “Wimpy,” and “Stinker,” accompanied us. After vainly seeking Italian submarines, we dropped calcium bombs as imaginary submarines and proceeded to wipe them out.

The return to the flight deck, which, from the air, looks as narrow as a piece of tape, is always thrilling, but the pilots do not find landings difficult. “Wimpy,” however, slightly damaged the ■undercarriage, whereupon immediately and almost magically “Jumbo” arrived in a lift and carried “Wimpy” to the repair shop.

The opinion of the enemy held by the Navy may be gauged from the fact that night gun practice with calcium flare targets was carried on for a whole hour. Searchlights stretched two miles across the water, while shells straddled a flaming target and aircraft flew miles without glimpsing the Italian Air Force, which the German Propaganda Minister, Dr Goebbels, says dominates the Mediterranean.

NEW COMMANDER' OF CHINA STATION

SINGAPORE, September 137 It is officially announced that ViceAdmiral Sir Geoffrey Layton has taken over as Commander-in-Chief of the China Station, relieving Admiral Sir Percy Noble.