GALLANT BRITISH AIRMEN

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20916, 22 September 1939, Page 8

GALLANT BRITISH AIRMEN

RESCUE OF SHIPWRECKED CREW SEAMEN IN A DESPERATE CONDITION MAGNIFICENT FEAT ALL MEN PICKED UP (United Press Assn. —Eleo. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 22, 1 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 21 An official announcement states that two Royal Air Force flying-boats were responsible for the magnificent feat of rescuing an entire crew of 34 from the Kensington Court, which was torpedoed in the Atlantic. The aircraft were engaged in a patrol over the Atlantic when they picked up an “5.0.5.” from an English tramp steamer saying that she was sinking. The aircraft arrived on the scene ten minutes before the boat sank. The pilots saw a small boat packed with men. Other members of the crew were clinging to the sides. The pilots made a quick search for the submarine, and then, while one kept watch aloft, the other alighted. Fourteen men, some in a desperate condition, were pulled aboard the flying-boat. The taking-off presented difficulty owing to the heavy load. The other machine then descended and rescued twenty. As the flying-boats were speeding to England the rescued men told how one lifeboat capsized and the other was in danger of sinking as help came. This is the first time that shipwrecked sailors have been rescued by the air arm.

HELP FOR POLAND

WHAT BRITAIN CAN DO ASSIST IN WINKING WAR (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 22, 3.15 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 21 A semi-official statement gives an answer to the question in many minds: “What have we done to help Poland?” A high authority crystallised the Government’s policy thus: The only way in which we are able to help Poland is by winning the war. We cannot help Poland by embarking on some great effort involving considerable losses, which ultimately will dimmish our chances of winning the war.

A NEW PACT?

JAPAN AND AXIS POWERS EFFECT ON UNITED STATES MAY BE BROUGHT INTO WAR (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 22, 3.15 p.m.) COPENHAGEN, Sept. 21 •-51 Several Danish newspapers mention the possibility of a pact between Russia, Germany, Italy and Japan. It Is stated that considerable activity directed to this end has been observed at the Foreign Office, where high Russian, Japanese and Italian officials are frequent visitors. What is most feared as a result from such a pact is the entry of the United States on the side of Britain and France as soon as Japan is brought in. Russia and Germany already arc reported to have agreed to the building of a giant motor road from Berlin to Moscow. The Minsk section is almost completed, and Germany has undertaken to complete the remainder.

PLOT THAT FAILED

GERMAN RESIDENTS ARRESTED (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Cory right) (Received Sept. 22, 3.15 p.m.) BUDAPEST, Sept. 21 The police arrested German residents in the Bukovina Province, on a charge of plotting to join Germany if Nazi troops reached the Rumanian frontier. The plot miscarried owing to the arrival of Russians instead of German forces.

MUTUAL ASSISTANCE

BRITAIN AND TURKEY NEGOTIATIONS FOR A PACT (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) ANGORA, Sept. 20 The Turkish Foreign Minister, Sukru Saracoglu Bey, announced that negotiations for a Turkish mutual assistance pact with Britain and France were proceeding “most satisfactorily.”

DEFENCE OF AUSTRALIA

810 OUTLAY CONTEMPLATED BRITISH PURCHASE OF PRODUCE WORTH AT LEAST £100,000,000 (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) CReceived Sept. 22, 3.1* p.m.) SYDNEY, Sept. 21 The Morning Herald says that British orders* already placed for Australian produce this financial year may be worth at least £100,000,000. The total value of exports to Britain last year was only £65,000,000. CANBERRA, Sept. 22 Authority for the borrowing of £20,405,000 for defence in the immediate future is sought in a Loan Appropriation Bill introduced in the. House of Representatives early this morning. Of this amount £10,405,000 is for buildings, works equipment and general expansions in the Defence Department. and £10,000,000 for the first contribution to the special war services.

SERVICE ABROAD

AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) CANBERRA, Sept. 21 A force of about 550 men is involved in the proposal to send an expeditionary force of Australian airmen abroad, comprising 150 pilots, 250 members of crews, and 150 members of the administrative staff and specialists. If it is decided to send a ground staff, the total force will be about 3000. The Prime Minister said that the despatch of this force would not reduce Australia’s air defence by a single aircraft, and would leave ample personnel for effective manning of the Australian air fleet. The Government had also considered the sending of a ground maintenance staff, but a decision was deferred pending an inquiry into Australia’s needs.

RUSSIAN ADVICE

BEAT BACK THE GERMANS INVADERS RENAME TOWN (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright/ (Received Sept. 22, 3.15 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 21 The Rotterdam correspondent of the Times says the Germans state that the remainder of the Polish southern army surrendered after hard fighting. The Bucharest correspondent of the Times states that the Soviet forces are telling the population to return and heat back the Germans. It appears that one of Russia’s aims has been to prevent Germany from reaching the Polish-Hungarian frontier. BERLIN, Sept, 21 Gdynia has been renamed AshgotenGydnia has been renamed Ashgotenhaven.