BRITISH HUMANITY

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21247, 18 October 1940, Page 6

BRITISH HUMANITY

ITALIAN SHIP SIGNALLED RESCUES FROM THE SEA SEQUEL TO AJAX BATTLE (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright.) (Received Oct. 18. 3.15 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 17 The action of the pilot and crew of a Sunderland flying-boat after H.M.S. Ajax’s engagement on October 12 provides an instance of British humanity towards a foe who had suffered grave losses. On patrol over the Mediterranean the pilot of the flying-boat saw a ship in the distance. Cautious investigation revealed that she was the Italian hospital ship Aquilega. The Sunderland resumed the patrol. Two or three miles away a vast patch of oil at least five miles square was seen, and floating in it among the masses of small wreckage were five or six Carley floats and two boats, one of which was swamped and in a sinking condition. The pilot immediately turned back towards the hospital ship, which was still on its former course, northbound for Italy, and with a lamp flashed the message: “Ship’s floats below us.” The Sunderland then circled the wreckage and dived two or three times to direct the ships’ attention to them. Although no word was signalled back from the hospital ship she suddenly altered her course and steered towards the floats and wreckade, and a few minutes later the crew of the flying-boat saw her lowering a white motor dinghy, which quickly drew up to one of the Carley floats. The Sunderland then resumed her normal patrol.

DEMAND FOR FORCE THAILAND AND INDO-CHINA STUDENTS TO RETURN (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Oct. 18, 3.15 p.m.) BANGKOK, Oct. 17 The Government has ordered Thailand students to leave France, as anti-French demonstrations have increased over the country, demanding Thailand to use force if necessary in its territorial claims against Indo-China. BRITISH NAVY CHANGES IN COMMANDS (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Oct, 18, 3.15 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 17 Rear-Admiral Sir J. Harwood becomes a Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty and Assistant-Chief of the Naval Staff, according to the latest Admiralty orders. He succeeds as from December 2 Vice-Admiral Sir G. Blake, who has been selected for special duty inside the Admiralty.

Vice-Admiral John C. Tovey becomes Commander-in-Chief of the Home Fleet, with the acting rank of Admiral, from the same date, in succession to the Admiral of the Fleet, Sir Charles Forbes.

NARROW ESCAPE CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL DAMAGE TO DEANERY (United Press Asn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Oct. 18, 3.15 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 17 Canterbury Cathedral narrowly escaped harm during one of Thursday afternoon’s raids, according to a communique. Several bombs were dropped nearby and damage was done to the deanery and in the cathedral procincts. AMERICAN HELP OFFER TO FREE FRANCE AMBULANCES AND DRIVERS (United Press Asn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright; (Received Oct. 18, 1 p.m.) LONDON. Oct. 17 General de Gaulle has accepted, on behalf of the Free French Force?, an offer by the American field services to provide ambulances and volunteer drivers.