CALL ON SEAMEN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 November 1943, Page 3

CALL ON SEAMEN

OF THE MERCHANT NAVY PLANS FOR MASS INVASION OF EUROPE. OFFICERS & MEN ASKED TO VOLUNTEER. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) LONDON, October 30. The Ministry of ar Transport is is- . suing to all members of the Merchant Navy with a leaflet headed “Call to Masters, Officers and Men of the Merchant 'Navy Mass Invasion of Continent. Merchant Navy’s Parti.” The leaflets, says the “Daily Express,” invite all merchant seamen to sign a new clause in theii- shipping articles voluntarily undertaking to (continue service in their ships if they are required to take part in a mass invasion of the. Continent or to transfer to, or join anv othei’ ship required for that purpose.

The leaflets continue: “There is no doubt that the Mercian; 1 Navy will respond to the call in a body, but it is important to know in advance that every officer and man will be prepared if called on to’take part in a mass invasion of the Continent when the tin|e comes.”

The new clause will operate for a period, “expected to be relatively short,” during which a vessel is declared by the Minister of War Transport to be required in connection with a mass invasion of the Continent. Merchant seamen accepting the new clauses will have their identity cards endorsed with the letter V.