THE CHINA MAIL, JULY 12, 1941.
Arrival Of Large American Troop Convoy In Iceland
U.S. Marines R.A.F. BOMBING
Fraternise With British
(By Reuter's Special Correspondent In Iceland)
EVENTS HAVE MOVED VERY FAST IN ICELAND IN THE PAST FEW DAYS. UNTIL THIS WEEK BRITISH TROOPS HERE WERE INCLINED TO REGARD THEMSELVES AS A WAR NEWS CAME FROM LOST LEGION. EVERYWHERE ELSE BUT NEVER ICELAND. Suddenly on July 5, news arrived of an American Senator's disclosure and rumour ran riot. None denied Senator Wheeler's Soldiers statement and excitement grew. and Icelanders alike were asking: "When will the Americans come?”
eci,
At 5 p.m. G.M.T. on the work of disembarkation start- Monday, July 7, they had their answer.
The largest convoy of troop- ships, warships and planes ever seen in this stand appeared on the horizon, A crowd collected ut once to watch the sight, sol- diers with beaming faces perred over each other's shoulders, and delighted comments came from them all.
Some were thinking that they; will soon be seeing the old coun- try agam. others were realising that
opportunity of active Service and realised the significance of what was really happening.
Wats
It was an inspring sight.
Visible Proof
American Pep
It took no time to see that the Americans were here on business, and une hour after the generals had shaken hands American transports were on the streets of Iceland, and American troops drove their lorries along the left hand side of the road as though they had driven in leland all their days.
WITH CLOCKWORK
PRECISION
The clockwork re- gularity of the R.A.F. raids on Germany was referred to yesterday by the Berlin corres- pondent of the Zurich "National Zeitung."
He states: "British air incursions are daily increasing in numbers and intensity. Night attacks, mainly over northern and western Germany, take place with almost clockwork regularity."-Reuter.
R.A.F. ON
RAMPAGE
AGAIN
oo
It was officially an- Meanwhile the British troops nounced in London last icoked on with wonder and ap night that R.A.F. bom-
proval on their
faces.
Thres
sides: fine looking fellows; they
comments were heard from all bers and fighters were know their Job: fine outfit again active
they've got.
wer!
ant
Then the meeting of the
over nor-
thern France yesterday
afternoon.
at
SIX
Germai
nur'-
The first pression could nat have been better. As this disem barkation took place Americin Full details are not yet avail- Bere was visible proof of the marines were moving to their pre-able but according to preliminary armed might of the United
least reports arters. They pared States of America reathing half work and there was no time for lighters were destroyed. way across the Atlantic to protect
the British troups to fraternise Heavy R.A.F. bombers escort- the passage of planes, tanks and with them till the work for the ed by Aghters carried out armaments which her° factories.
offensive operat ons over day had been done, are producing, and not merely
Air two thern France, an
Ministry helping Great Britain with the armies started, in camps,
can. ¡communique announced later. task of convoying war materials teens, offlers. streets, anywhẹrz In the morning they attacked but releasing a fine body of troops where by chance one soldier might the shipyard at Letrait, on for active service elsewhere.
meat another. They
River Seine. fine were Норев ran high in
British fighters destroyed nine every meetings. There was no emotion, the island that no excitement. Many badges de-enemy fighters during the day's momentous night and wireless noting marksmanship were keen-offensive operations.
the and revealed. confirmation of what many ally noticed ready guessed from the sight Americans as some of the crack were of the convoy gave an Interest troops which the Germans had ground. and zest to life which had been never
camp
он
forgotten
the
Several German dive-bombers
also attacked on
the
was
from Chateau Four British fighters are miss-
ing. altogether lacking in the first Thierry and Belleau Wood.
leaned One enemy bomber year of occupation. Conversation turned to which place the troops would move and how the American troops would look.
next
Would their equipment be as į good as the sight of that convoy
over
Tommy An English
an destroyed by British fighters off a table and offered American a drink. The Ameri- the north of Scotland last even- can accepted and the Tommying.--Reuter. asked him what he thought of. the place.
seemed to indicate and how After Their Own Hearts
would they
tolerate the loneli-
outlying ness of some of the posts, and the uneventful and unceasing watch that makes up so much of soldiering in Iceland? History Being Made As fast as the younger men asked these questions, the older men with ribbons from the last
"Fine," said the American, and nothing more.
"What is life like
GAOL FOR UNSAFE SHELTERS-M.P.
reply when an
There was no here?" said the marine. And then, at last. M.P., after asking in the House the Tommy let himself go. For about unsafe public shelters, said half-an-hour they talked on con- general opinion was that some- ditions in Iceland, what they body ought to be gaoled.
much Mr. J. J. Tinker (Soc., Leigh) thought of the war, how American help was coming, how said one urban council were clos- shelters because conditions in the two armies varing ninety-two War, were quick to find the ans-led, and when the war would end. they were unsafe. .wers. Of course the Americans
It was essentially an unemo- The Home Secretary seld there would be well equipped. Of course tional meeting, half-truths and were indications in soma, areas they would stand the conditions the British had stood. They knew under-statements abounded, but that defects may have been due to and the de- well enough what sort of soldiers when the men parted there were bad workmanship
two things they had learned. partment was looking into the the Americans were.
The British knew, these were matter and action would be taken On Monday night the convoy soldiers after their own hearts, in appropriate cases: anchored; on Tuesday morning men who knew what soldiering the British General with a Guard was, who had been ordered to of Honour and military band protect Iceland and sec.. that welcomed the American. General. armaments arrived. safely
There were a few spectators The Americans learned they at: the. scono who failed to were meeting men who also knew a broad grin to pass over the face reallas that history was boings how to use those armaments and of an officer, of one, army as he made before their eyes ao the who were never going to stop us-returned the salute from a soldier two Generals saluted and the ing them till all the worlds' enemy of the other army. There may be Guard of Honour presented, had been beaten so completely a number of the British who are that he will never again cause sorry to leave Iceland, and there
arms.
The first steps in the collabora-trouble. ition of two great armleg tool place. It was a great and sym- bolle union but was boon over. Once the Guard of Honour had been inspected officers from the two armies started to mingle, and within five minutes opposite. numbers could be seen in close
13"·"
around consultation and
them
Ice Broken
teach them the scraps of Ica- landle they had ploked up. j Military etiquette even, in some places, was relaxed enough for
may be some Americans who would rather have gone elsc- where, but there is not one man in these two armies who has fall- After that first mooting theed see that they had taken part ico coomed broken. British, in some important development stappod ̧...
Americano. In the of the war and who had not felt otrooto and ankød for news, clated
at the news and was They went to shops to show pleased to see what the other army them how things wore done and is like.-Reuter.
THREE-PARTY TALKS OPEN IN SAIGON
SIGNALISING THE first resumption of formal relations between Thailand and Indo- China since the armistice, a Siamese dele- gation is arriving in Saigon to-day fromTM Bangkok.
The delegation is headed by Prince Viwatenajai, Counsellor u. the Thai Finance Ministry.
A
monetary conference is scheduled to start about July 15 with Indo-China offelals, includ-
weeks before returning to Hanoi It is also rumoured that General Sumlta, head of the Japanese mission in Tonkin, is likely to proceed to Saigon, on a short visit on return from his pre-on -
ing M. A. Gannay, Inspector- disclosed General of the Banque de l'Indo-Reuter. Chine, who arrived in Saigon from Hanoi yesterday.
mission to Canton.→→→→
TA KUNG PAQ” BOMBED
The "Ta Kung Pao" building was hit by a bomb and set on fire during the Japanese air raid over Chungking on Thursday. Serious damage, is said to have been done in the printing room.
The Thai delegation will also form part of the Boundary Commission of which a Japan- cse delegation some 50 strong is expected to arrive any day. Saigon becomes
the temporary political capital of Indo-China with the arrival from his summer residence at Dalat of the Gover-
The paper, however, appeared not-General, Vice-Admiral Jean vesterday üs usual. Central Decoux, who will remain several News,
Congo
ties
THE TIE OF TIES
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