THE CHINA MAIL, MAY 23, 1941
THE NAVY INTERCEPTS CONVOY
Quick First Success: Details Lacking
GERMAN PROMISES
And Performance
The Turkish Deputy, M. Yalcin, fired another broadcast at Germany yesterday.
He recalls that Germany prom- ised Rumunia hiendship but gave
Ta
HW DY
and
Bessarabia sylvain while all the ceORIETE. of Bib are in German hands
He mall abe that while spl frily to Greene, the Germ. promised Salomka to the Yugo
Adavs
MR. CHURCHILL'S
REVIEW OF
BATTLE FOR CRETE
LAST
‚UST BEFORE THE HOUSE OF COMMONS ADJOURNED EVENING THE PRIME MINISTER, MR. WINSTON CHURCHILL, GAVE “A VERY PROVISIONAL ACCOUNT" OF THE BATTLE OF CRÉTE, IN WHICH HE TOLD THE "HOUSE THAT FIGHTING CONTINUES WÍTH INTENSITY AND THAT ALTHOUGH THE SITUATION IS IN HAND THE GERMANS HAVE GAINED SOME LOCAL SUCCESSES AT HEAVY COST.
"The Germans are using large numbers of air-borne and parachutist troops, and these are being increased daily," Mr. Churchil! declared.
"The position at Heraklion is that our troops still hold the aerodrome although the Germans are now in what is called occupation; of the town, which probably means they are Straits and Istanbul to Russia; ensconced in certain buildings in the town.
Me mentions German assur RICES to other small countries, and says that the last war.i when Turkey was Germany's ally. Germany offered the
in return for a separate peaCE
Therefore a promise an dientel
Go
100 pe cat the from dading up a CIN
W1h whom they 1:41 worn
fra i hip
His series of art cles continue.
to attract widespread attention Reuter.
WAR TECHNICIANS
"In the Retimo district gaged by artillery and machine. there is no report of par- ticular fighting though an attempt by the enemy to the aerodrome
attack
early on Wednesday
"At Ma'ema aerodrome. it appears the enemy are now in occupation of the aerodrome and of the area to the west of Keres, but the aerodrome is st under fire.
"IN THIS SECTOR THE
morning was successfully COASTAL LINE STILL RE-
held.
MAINS IN OUR HANDS FIGHTING CONTINUES. DEEP- ENING IN INTENSITY, AND
EVACUATION OF SYRIA
While Egyptian consuls in Syria have not issued official warnings it is understood that the majority or Egyptian residents in Syria and Lebanon are returning Egypt, says Reuter from Cairo.
t
SUSSEX
VILLAGE
BOMBED
A few single air- craft flew over Bri-
tain yesterday, and one of them dropped bombs in a Sussex village which damag- ed several houses and caused a small num- ber of casualties.
Bombs dropped elsewhere did little damage and casualties are report- ed.-Reuter.
no
THROUGH EYES OF A MILITARY CORRESPONDENT
(By Reuter's Military Commentator) THE OUTCOME of the battle for Crete
"In the Canca-Suda Bay sector WILL CERTAINLY CONTINUE is of the greatest importance to both sides.
A scheme for the utilisation of institutions and factories in the heavy enemy attacks in the early United Provinces for training war, morning of Wednesday were ful- technicians has been drawn up! lowed during the day by further by the Indian National Labour | parachute landings south-west of Service Tribunal. Reuter.
Canea, which were heavily en-
Omart to Own..... Smart to Give...
RONSON
LIGHTER S
FOR SOME TIME.
Convoys Intercepted
"On Wednesday night the
As far as we are able to judge from the news to hand the battle is going in our favour and enemy began to try sea-borne the first of the German air-borne troops have Crete was intercepted by our been heavily punished, most of them being and caiques (Greek boats), which killed and captured.
landings but a convoy making for
naval forces and two transports
probably contained troops intend-
ed for landing operations, were
sunk.
The Germans, however, are reinforcing
"An enemy destroyer escort this first detachment strongly and rapidly ing the convex, was also sunk. !from the air, which they can do owing to the
"THE CONVOY TURNED
A WAY TOWARDS
ISLANDS OF THE ARCHIPE proximity of the Greek mainland to Crete, LAGO AND WAS BEING AT- which enables them to mass a powerful air ERS AND LIGHT FORCES. force and troops against the defence.
TACKED BY OUR DESTROY.
"I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY FURTHER INFORMATION RE. GARDING WHAT
HAS HAP.
The Germans are trying to sup- port these flights of air-borne PENED EXCEPT THAT THERE troops by others crossing the nar
Tow sea in small boats of all kinds, bringing artillery and tanks. These are likely to appear at night, They can make the crossing in the dark but the Germans must first
WAS A GREAT DEAL OF FIGHTING DURING THE DAY. ENEMY AIRCRAFT ATTACK - ING OUR SHIPS AND WE AT- TACKING THE CONVOY.
One Result ?
This kind of battle demands a great deal of thought, prepara- tion and cooperation with all its own scattered forces as well as with the sister services on sea and in the air.
It demands a still greater quall- establish ty, the power of inspiring great energy and resolution in all sub- ordinate leaders who will have to " act promptly and independently.
come force close to beaches or harbours in order to cover their disembarkation.
"I have no definite Information about the results but I feel they
By the use of air power they can hardly be other than satis-hope to drive our navy from the factory in view of the
naval neighbourhood of Crete in order forces at our disposal in the to effect a crossing in boats. They Mediterranean generally."
are not likely to succeed in this.
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At this point a member inter. pored suggesting that Mr. Chur. chii convey to the forces on Crete a message expressing ap- prcolation, admiration and con- fidence in them.
however,
Two Main Attacks
It seems as if the enemy were making two main attacks in this Mr. Churchill replied: "I cer- preliminary stage of the battle, tainly will."
Strange Battle
The Prime Minister then con- tinued: "It is a strange and grim battle which is being tought, one in which our side has no air sup- pot because they have no aero- dromes not because they have no aeroplanes - while the other side has very little or no artil- lery or tanks, and neither side has any means of retreat.
"It le a desperate and grim battle and I certainly will send wishes and encouragement to the men who are fighting what is undoubtedly a most impor. tant battle, which will affect
one near Candia and the other some 70 miles to the west of Suda Bay and Canes.
In addition many compara- tively small parties are probably being dropped all over the
Military Study
burg, V.C., we possess a leader of Fortunately, in General Frey-
this type, and also the troops un- der him, both Greek and British, have given proof on other fields of these qualities.
As a military study this Cretan battle will be followed with tre- mendous interest. - Reuter.
ITALIANS AID
country with the object of creat- SINGAPORE DEFENCE
ing alarm and confusion and attacking communications. These are not very numerous in Crete, however and that fact is likely to react more in favour than that of the Germans, Pictures distributed by the local for it can be readily understood Ministry of Information show the that small hostile bodies, isolated (Chinese Military Mission which in lonely hills, and not able to recently toured Malaya inspecting get together, will be more of aa row of Italian anti-tank guns? nuisance than a serious menace. among other armament.
War material captured from the Italians in the African-
cam- palgns now augment the defence of Singapore. our
ཨཱ་
the whole course of the cam- Defence Problems
paign in the Mediterranean "
ter.
M
Reu-
A member asked: "When the ...Nevertheless the air attack, Prime Minister suggests the first to be attempted on this grand wing to the temporary Indis- enemy have no tanks, Is it to be scale, presents: great difficulties position of His Excellency the implied that, we have?”
for the defence because it obliges Governor, the "At Home” intend-
|_ MR... CHURCHILL:" "I CER-It to disperse its troops over aed to be given by the Indian TAINLY DID NOT THINK ON wide area, which may leave a Association fo-day at the Glouces
CO LTD FOLLOWING THE MATTER vital spot insufficiently guarded ter Hotel, is postponed to some
INTO THOSE CHANNELS.” where fresh hostile troops by sea future date which will be ans REUTER.
or air may suddenly uppear.
notinced later.