REPORTED NAVAL BATTLE

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21226, 24 September 1940, Page 5

REPORTED NAVAL BATTLE

BRITISH AND FRENCH WARSHIPS GENERAL DE GAULLE GOES TO DAKAR EFFORT TO RALLY FREE FRENCH FORCES (Official Wireless) (Received Sept. 24, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 23 The following statement was issued by the Ministry of Information this evening: “ Recent reports show that the Germans have been making persistent efforts to bring Dakar, capital of French West Africa, under their control, and the movements of French ships from Toulon to Dakar, which clearly could not have been effected without German permission, gave further evidence of the attempt which is in contemplation. “ In view r of the fact that a considerable element of the population wqs opposed to the Vichy Government’s policy of subservience to Berlin and had declared in favour of Free France, General de Gaulle decided to proceed with a Free French force to Dakar to assist those elements which supported his cause. 66 He arrived off Dakar this morning and has summoned his followers to rally to the flag of Free France. Resistance seems to have been encountered, hut the situation is not y*?t fully clear. “ General de Gaulle’s Free French force is accompanied by a British force, which will lend him full support.” A later wireless message stated that the six French ships which earlier in the month were permitted to pass through Gibraltar were in port at Dakar, and resistance to General de Gaulle was encountered. General de Gaulle decided to make the visit when he learned of the great support for the Free French Movement that existed in the port and colony, hut acting under orders from Vichy, the present administration is resisting. It is stated that the British warships are shelling the fortified fort. The Lyons radio stated that a British squadron took the English and de Gaulle troops to Dakar and issued an ultimatum to the town, demanding surrender. The French refused. The British squadron then fired on Dakar.

FIRES STARTED

DESTRUCTION OF OIL

IN ITALIAN SOMALILAND AFRICAN FLIERS SUCCESSFUL ENEMY ATTACK IN KENYA (Official Wireless) (Received September 24, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 23 A Nairobi communique states: South African Air Force squadrons successfully attacked Birikau, in Italian Somaliland, a second time in a week. Direct hits were obtained on a camp and fires were started. Other South African aircraft carried out normal reconnaissances. From these operations all our aircraft returned safely. Early on Saturday Italian aircraft attacked Isioto, an archers’ post area in Kenya. Several bombs were dropped but there were no military or air force casualties and no damage.'

RAIDS ON CYPRUS

FIRST OF THE WAR BOMBS DROP IN SEA TOWN MACHINE-GUNNED (Official Wireless) (Received Sept. 24, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 23 The first enemy air attack on Cyprus is recorded in a communique from the headquarters of the Cyprus troops. Hostile planes, flying at a great height, raided the town in the Morahou Bay area on Sunday morning. The attack lasted from 11.20 to 12.2 Bombs were dropped in the sea. Later part of the town was machine-gunned. There were no casaulties and no material damage. An air raid alarm was sounded at Nicosia from 11.25 to 12.5.

CLAIMS BY ENEMY

IN THE BALKANS

GREECE AND YUGOSLAVIA SAFEGUARDING INDEPENDENCE Press Asn.—Elec. Tel. Copyiiglit) SALONIKA, Sept. 22 A visiting Yugoslav politician, M. Andres, in a staten ent, said Yugoslavia and Greece were firmly united in the resolve to saleguard their political and economic independence and were determined to remain outside the conflict which was tearing Europe asunder. The Balkans, which showed a dejire for mutual help in peace time, were even more eager to co-operate now that they were beset by so many difficulties.

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HEAVY LOSS TO GERMANY ROYAL AIR FORCE SUCCESS EFFECT OF MANY RAIDS (Official Wireless) (Received September 24, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 23 Some details of the raids by the Royal Air Force on Nazi oil refineries are revealed by authoritative Lcndon quarters today. As early as the end of August repeated attacks had been delivered on all important oil refineries in northwest and west Germany, which account for the bulk of the total German refinery capacity and the largest of which possess storage installations which together form an important proportion of Germany’s total storage capacity. According to expert calculation these attacks, in addition to reducing the production of lubricating oil, resulted in the destruction of a quantity of finished stocks.

As for synthetic oil 1,000,000 tons out of a total* capacity of 2,500,000 tons is located in Western Germany and has been heavily attacked during recent months, while a further 1,250,000 tons capacity, including famous works in Madgeburg and Leipzig, are being included in the Royal Air Force’s early autumn programme.

GERMAN AND ITALIAN REPORTS BRITISH SHIPPING DESTROYED ! RESULT OF AIR RAIDS i 1 (United Press Asn.—Elec. Tel. CopyrlgHt) (Received Sept. 24. 12.20 p.m.) BERLIN, Sept. 23 , A communique states: A German motor torpedo-boat sank an armed j enemy merchantman and damaged a patrol ship off the British coast, j The reprisals against London continued. British planes last night bombed North Germany, destroying numerous farmhouses. Single enemy planes reached Berlin. There was no damage. No enemy planes were brought down. One of ours is missing. A U-boat sank four enemy merchantmen, totalling 29.000 tons. ROME, Sept. 23 A communique states: It is ascertained that a British cruiser was torpedoed and subsequently sank. Photographs of the Italian bombardment of Haifa on September 21 show important results. Extensive fires broke out. We again bombed the air base at Mikabba, in Malta, causing a great fire. The enemy renewed the bombardment of Benghazi, damaging private houses. We again bombed Mersa Matruh, with positive results. We also made a night raid on Aden harbour and works. It is learned that we hit three ships in a British convoy on September 21. The British bombed Gura. Kassala and Asmara. Two natives were killed and two wounded. British submarines sank an empty Italian merchantman in the Southern Pyreean Sea.