NAZI INVASION BASES

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21225, 23 September 1940, Page 8

NAZI INVASION BASES

DAMAGE TO SHIPPING FIRES AND EXPLOSIONS (Official Wireless) (Received Sept. 23. 3.15 p.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 22 An Air Ministry communique states: The Royal Air Force continued its attacks on enemy invasion bases in the Channel ports yesterday and last night. During the day aircraft from the Bomber Command attacked the port of Flushing and its defences and concentrations of barges and light draught vessels at Rotterdam, Antwerp, Ostend and near Terneuzen, in Holland, and in the Calais-St. Omer Canal. Aircraft of the Coastal Command operated successfully against enemy ships at sea. A convoy of twelve merchant vessels was bombed near Boulogne. Patrolling aircraft attacked a supply ship of large tonnage south of Borkum and incendiary bombs were observed to strike the vessel. When smaller ships were attacked near the Dutch island of Ameland a direct hit on one was followed by an explosion. During the night, from shortly after dusk until nearly dawn, the ports of Ostend, Dunkirk, Boulogne and Calais were heavily bombed by aircraft of the Bomber Command. Many bombs were seen to burst with good effect on ships, barges and docks, and the attacks were punctuated by fires and explosions. From these operations all our aircraft returned safely. INDIAN NAVY INCREASE IN STRENGTH RED SEA ROUTE SAFE PASSAGE OF SHIPS (Olficlal Wireless) (Received Sept. 23. 3.15 p.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 22 In consequence of the steady growth of India’s naval strength Vice-Admiral Fitzherbert, whose term of appointment as flag officer commanding the Royal Indian Navy has recently been extended for another year from November, has under his command the most powerful force ever to keep guard in India’s own waters. The Indian shipyards are now working at the full capacity of the building slips available on the intial scheme of expansion. The Australian shipyards are helping with larger local naval defence craft. New modern sloops from Britain will shortly further increase the offensive strength of the Indian naval forces.

Following the entry of Italy into the war the personnel of the Indian Navy, which already has been expanded 200 per cent since September, 1939, is to be expanded still further. The security of the Red Sea route from India to the Middle East is strikingly illustrated by the fact that no fewer than 71 troop and military supply ships proceeded without a single casualty from Indian ports to their destination between September 1, 1939, and August 1, 1940. Nine hundred and forty-four special military trains were run to and fom Indian ports in the first year of the war, and among the units which journeyed safely overseas on active service was the famous Bikaner Camel Corps. Manufactures for Britain In India a conference of controllers of supplies is investigating the manufacture in India of many ordnance stores hitherto imported. A scheme for the expansion of clothing production is being implemented and production is steadily rising. A report on germination tests of flax seeds is considered satisfactory, and it has been decided to proceed with the scheme for the cultivation of flax. Britain has been informed that India can, after meeting the present steel demands from the Middle East, Iraq, Kenya and Uganda, provide a balance of light steel products of 10.000 tons monthly, also a further 10,000 tons of scrap monthly for the next twelve months. Arrangements have been completed to supply 300,000 tons of pig and foundry iron to Britain.