HISTORY AS IT HAPPENS

New Zealand Listener, Volume 3, Issue 77, 13 December 1940, Page 2

HISTORY AS IT HAPPENS

In this section weekly will a a day by day record of the events of history in the ng. As some time elapses in the publication of "The Listener’ this diary is one week retrospective,

Thursday, November 28 The Prime Minister announced that a British vessel had signalled from a point 400 miles east of New Zealand that she was being attacked by an enemy raider. An Australian announcement said that two ships had been sunk off the Australian coast. In the House of Commons members voiced increasing concern at British shipping losses. The shooting of 64 political prisoners began what was believed to be a purge by the Iron Guard in Rumania. The Vichy Government officially announced that hostilities began between Thailand and French Indo-China on November 23. The Admiralty announced that British naval forces made contact with Italian forces which retired at speed. An Italian communique admitted that one destroyer and one cruiser were hit. Friday, November 29 The Greeks continued their determined thrust towards the important strategic town of Argyrokastron in Albania. General Antonescu, with German support, was struggling hard to maintain order in Rumania while the Iron Guard executions continued. A German air attack on Liverpool lasted for several hours. The Australian Minister of Internal Affairs said that Japan’s intentions were causing the Commonwealth Government serious concern. , General Catroux was appointed leader of the Free French in the Near East. Ankara radio announced that Turkey’s present slogan was: "Live in peace but be ready to fight in the morning." Saturday and Sunday, November 30, 31 The steamer Holmwood was reported overdue from the Chathams and was believed to have been caught by an enemy raider. Although the Italians were desperately trying to strengthen their resistance Greeks announced the capture of another important strategic point in Pogradetz, 20 miles north of Koritza. During a clash between German and British destroyers in the channel, H.M.S, Javelin was struck by a torpedo but reached port. German bombers again concentrated on one town on the south coast of England, With the expiration of the time limit of Japan’s offer of a settlement to the Chungking Government, Wang ChingWei signed a treaty with Japan on behalf of the Nanking Puppet Government. The U.S. reply to this was a loan of 50,000,000 dollars to the Chungking Government.

Germany annexed Lorraine and began to expel the French population. Monday December 2 It was anticipated that unrest in Rumania would give Germany an excuse to step in and take more complete control. . During clashes in the channel between light naval units a large German supply ship was torpedoed. Hostilities continued between Thailand and Indo-China. The Air Ministry announced that Southampton had again been severely raided. Reviewing the air battles during the autumn an official statement claimed that the result had been a technical victory for the R.A.F. The Chungking Government announced that a Japanese offensive along a 150mile front had been smashed with a loss to the Japanese of about 12,000 men. Mr. J. P. Kennedy’s resignation as U.S. Ambassador to Britain was accepted by Mr. Roosevelt. Tuesday, December 3 In spite of snow and mud, fighting in Albania increased in severity and the Greeks continued to advance. After an attempt on the life of Major Quisling reports came through of developing tension in Norway. Bristol was severely attacked by German bombers. Discussing the American loan to the Chungking Government Mr. Cordell Hull said: "It is the least we can do in return for the job the Chinese are doing." A Frenchman who reached England brought with him reports of sabotage in French factories supplying German arms. Commenting on Japan’s recognition of the Nanking Government, Chiang Kai Shek called Japan "a potentially boundless curse in the Pacific." Wednesday, December 4 The names of 14,000 men called by ballot for service overseas were announced in a New Zealand Gazette Extraordinary. The Rumanian Government issued a decree dissolving the Iron Guard Special Police, Marshal Petain said in an interview that Germany was not being asked to protect French colonies menaced by General de Gaulle and Britain because that might result in the bombing of Paris and other cities, The R.A.F. concentrated an attack on Norwegian harbours, It was announced that the U.S. was taking valuable practical steps to make up British shipping losses, During the week ended November 24-25 it was announced that British shipping lost totalled 87,975 tons (22 ships).

"WAR DIARY