DEFENCE BARRAGE

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21217, 13 September 1940, Page 6

DEFENCE BARRAGE

NEW METHOD IN LONDON GREAT RESULTS ACHIEVED SATISFACTION OF PEOPLE (Official Wireless) (Received Sept. 13. 3.15 p.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 12 Londoners heard their sixth consecutive night air raid warning at 9.10 p.m., after having had one other warning in the afternoon. A heavy barrage immediately began from the anti-aircraft guns, while a few searchlights were to be seen, although the warning was still in operation at 11.30 p.m. The barrage was not consistently heavy, and abviously was being held in reserve for a successive effort to penetrate by enemy machines. The new anti-aircraft barrage used on Wednesday night in defence of London, which is described by the press as the “heaviest ever put up in the defence of any city,” had a reassuring effect on Londoners, who, though standing the strain of the ferocious German air attack with admirable calm, were delighted to realise from the new noises overhead that the German airmen were receiving an unusually warm welcome. When it gathered what the new aerial inferno meant, comment was heard everywhere to-day that no music was more pleasant to ears attuned to the “crump” of bombs and the drone of enemy bombers, and though only fitful sleep was rendered possible this was regarded as a matter of rejoicing rather than complaint. The statement that this new barrage method is likely to be continued and even get better has been greeted with great satisfaction. Bombs have fallen in recent raids near several important buildings, and a flat formerly occupied by Mr Winston Churchill was hit. DUTCH EAST INDIES JAPANESE MISSION ARRIVES FIRST TIME IN HISTORY (United Pre.-s Asn.—Elec. Tel. Copyrijjnt) (Received Sept. 13. 3.15 p.m.) BATAVIA, Sept. 12 The Kobayashi mission has arrived. This is the first time in history that a Japanese Minister has officially visited the Dutch East Indies. The Economic Director, M. H. J. von Mook, headed those to welcome the Japanese delegation, and expressed the hope that the economic and oil discussions, probably opening on September 18, would be successful. Mr Kobayashi said: “Japan attaches the greatest importance to friendship with the Dutch Indies. The aim of my mission is to promote closer economic ties betwen our countries on a solid foundation of friendship. “The Dutch Indies are endowed with exceedingly rich natural resources and extensive fertile fields, while Japan is highly industrialised, exporting manufactured goods, for which reason Japan places great expectations on the Dutch Indies’ resources.

“I strongly desire to contribute in the Far Eastern sphere towards world stability and the welfare of the people, in a spirit of mutual assistance and sympathetic understanding.”