NEW DECORATION

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21226, 24 September 1940, Page 6

NEW DECORATION

THE GEORGE CROSS AWARD FOR CIVILIANS DEEDS OF GALLANTRY !§&&&$ (Official Wireless) (Received Sept. 24, 3.15 p.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 23 A new decoration, the George Cross, is intended to be awarded for a deed of valour by civilian men and women in all walks of life, like the Victoria Cross, but after which it ranks. Posthumous grants may be made and the Cross will be worn before all orders and other decorations. It will take the place of the Empire Gallantry Medals, the present holders of which will receive the Cross in substitution. The George Medal will be granted more freely for civilian deeds of bravery, although it is intended that the standard shall be high. Lord Chatfield, chairman of the Committee on Gallantry Awards for Civil Defence, is charged with ensuring that immediate reports be made by the authorities and organisations concerned.

MORE NAZI RAIDS

ATTACKS ON ENGLAND BOMBING OF CIVILIANS (O racial Wireless) (Received Sept. 24, 3.15 p.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 23 A Ministry of Home Security communique, describing Monday’s air attacks by the enemy, says: A formation of enemy aircraft, mostly composed of fighters, which crossed the Kent and South Essex coasts this morning, was met and attacked by our fighters. The enemy formations were broken up. Engagements took place over Kent and Essex and off the coast. No bombs are reported to have been dropped in this attack. Later in the morning the enemy made deliberate attacks on the civilian population at several seaside towns on the Sussex coast, in particular Eastbourne. Houses were damaged but fortunately the number of casualties was small. Early in the afternoon the antiaircraft guns in the London area opened fire on a single enemy aircraft, which flew away without dropping bombs. This evening another large enemy formation, again mostly fighters, crossed the Kent coast, but did not penetrate any distance inland. They recrossed the coast on the approach of our fighters.

BRITAIN SATISFIED

EGYPTIAN GOVERNMENT STAND WILL MEET DEVELOPMENTS (United Press Asn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 24, 3.15 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 23 The war in the western desert is likely to continue for a week or two as guerilla harrying of the Italians. It is authpritatively stated that Britain is satisfied regarding Egypt’s attitude, and is confident that she will take all steps which the developing situation requires. Hassan Sabry, replying to the action of the Saadist pro-war members of the Cabinet in resigning, said: “Your fears that the Italians intend to conquer Egypt are exaggerated. The Cabinet is opposed to throwing the country immediately into the furnace of war without evident interest or necessity. Our defence preparations are constantly being accelerated.”

FIGHTING IN AFRICA

RESULTS OF MANY RAIDS MUCH DAMAGE DONE (United Pre?« Asn.—Flee. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sent. ?4. 3.15 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 23 A Cairo communique states:— The Italians bombed Alexandria, Sidi Haneish and Mersa Matruh. Negligible damage was done. There were two casualties. A Royal Air Force communique states: A raid on Benghazi resulted in a direct hit on a ship and-a fire in warehouses alongside the Mole. We raided the Menastir aerodrome and also directly hit lorries in a motor transport concentration at Sidi Barrani. The enemy raided Malta, damaging ten village houses. They also attacked Aden twice without causing damage. We attacked the East African aerodrome of Maiadaga and Gura. The South African Air Force successfully raided Elkatulo and Dimo. An enemy raid on Isiolo inflicted no military or police casualties, but killed or wounded a few natives and civilians.