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ongkong
The FINAL EDITION
Const
Hongkong Telegraph.
FOUND A+ACTA THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1940.
SINGLE COPY 15 CENTS
$30.00 PER ANNUM.
CHRISTMAS
TOYS, CRACKERS and NOVELTIES A wide selection. moderately priced
WHITEAWAY'S
ITALIANS RETREATING FROM THE WAR FRONT IN ALBANIA
BARDIA
TOWARDS TOBRUK
British Troops Pierce Outer Defences
Italian Somaliland Raided
Special to the "Telegraph"
NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec. 18 (UP).~A communique issued to-day states that the British killed 60 Italian troops and captured 75 in a sudden attack on El Vak to-day, in an action in which the South African Air Force dropped more than two tons of bombs.
*El Uah is on the very border of Italian Somaliland and Kenya to the north-east of the British protectorate. It is a considerable distance from the coast and is south of Abyssinia.
The attack is the first of its kind in this particular arca though further to the north the British have made raids on Italian forts in south Abyssinia.
MANNHEIM AGAIN
Special to the "Telegraph"
LONDON, DEC. 18 (UP);—ACCORDING TO THE " DAILY HERALD'S" SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT IN THE WESTERN DESERT, THE ITALIANS ARE FALLING BACK FROM BARDIA TOWARDS TOBRUK,
AT LEAST PART OF ONE DIVISION WHICH WAS STATIONED AT BARDIA BEFORE THE BRITISH ATTACK IS KNOWN TO BE. RETREATING.
The "Daily Telegraph" says that the British advanced on Bardia to-night while the R.A.F. bombed, and the navy shelled the town.
Reconnaissance flights showed that part of an Italian division is retreating from Bardia towards Tobruk.
STIFF ITALIAN RESISTANCE
Special to the "Telegraph”.
CAIRO, Dec. 18 (UP)-It is learned that British
BARDIA
RAIDED troops have broken through at some points of the fortified AGAIN
R.A.F. Start Fresh Fires
Special to the “Telegraph"
LONDON, Dec. 18 (UP).The Air Ministry announced that R.A.F. bombers again attacked Mannheim's industrial targets last night, despite the bad weather.'
perimeter around Bardia, but hard fighting continues, as
the attacking forces are encountering strong defence BOMBED
trenches, wire entanglements and concrete pill boxes in the whole area.
Troops Machine Gunned Conflicting reports come from Bardia where the SPECIAL TO THE TELEGRAPH Italians are hard pressed, but are putting up a stiff üight. day's communique issued by the CAIRO, Dec. 18 (UP)-To- According to the British military spokesman, Bardia says that despite heavy rains on R.A.F. general headquarters
"Some fires which were started during Monday night's rald could be seen still burning, and several fresh fires were is a "fairly tough nut to crack.” started. Other aircraft attacked aerodromes and ports on the
NAZI SHIP
Channel coast."
the Western Desert yesterday, It is believed that the town is defended by one during the day, as well as the R.A.F. planes attacked Bardia division which has been there since the start of the offen-night, and started three large Nazis Embarrassed LONDON, Dec. 18 (Reuter). sive, and which has probably been reinforced by units fires in the encampment, as well -Hitler and Nazi officials who which have escaped out of Egypt.
as damaging large quantities of have repeatedly boasted that no
motor transport. enemy bomber would ever pene. A general headquarters communique to-day M.T.B.'s In Actiontrate German skies are embar-tented itself by declaring that operations in the Bardiac that the enemy is retreating "Reconnaissance flights show- towards Derna. Our fighter machines gunned the retreating troops between Burdia Tobruk."
SUNK
SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH"
rassed by the success of R.A.F. raids,
the
area continue.
RETREATING TO TOBRUK CAIRO, Dec. 18 (Reuter)—Latest despatches
Remarkable measures are taken to: conccul the extent of the damage which is cleared with the vimost speed.-Tf-this-is-Impossible before
con-
.
and
in-aerodrome at Derna was bombed on The communique said that the
LONDON, Dec. 18 (UP)—An Admiralty communique states British motor torpedo boats, to -day sank a large armed enemy the people leave the shelters, then dicate that part of the Italian division stationed at Bardia
supply ship of between 6,000 and hoardings are erected so that the ex- 7,000 tons off the Belgian coast. tent of the damage cannot be seen. before the British attack is retreating towards Tobruk. between Sante Quaranti and Valona
U-Boat Attack on Convoy?
It is stated that 050,000 children have been evacuated from
Berlin
Well Established In Libya
("REUTER'6" SPECIAL
CORRESPONDENT)
+ CAIRO, Dec. 18.-Ten days after the start of Britain's lesert offensive, British troops are well established inside Italian Libya.
bombers attacked the motor transport Tuesday night In Albania, R.A.F.
in a a ferce snow storm. Port Sudan Jowing to the fact that a patrol had was bombed by enemy bombers,
previously at great risk located mines come damage being caused. outside the camp of Nibelwn that Indian Infantry was able to assist the from all operations.
All British planes returned safely tanks asanlling it without greater loss of life.
Careful planning of the whole Britain Buys
campaign was supplemented at the right moment by dash and initiative i on the field of action.
Swift Decision
U. S. Ships
NEW YORK, Dec. 18 (UP).The Hamburg and the Ruhr to southern possibility of a German submarine and having attacked a British convoy is and eastern Germany. There is also seen in the Interception of distress much unoMelal evacuation and there signals by the Mackey Radio Com- are reports consequently of serious pany from two vessels about 400 overcrowding in Vienna through the miles northcast of Scotland.
evacuates. The calls came from the
A.R.P. regulations are stated to be Dutch steamer Pendrecht saying she had extremely severe. People must take been torpedoed, and also from the shelter as soon as the warning sounds Norwegian steamer Dalfon, revealing and those hurt in their own rooms that she had been attacked. The get no compensation. former vessel said she only had one
Germans much resent getting out iffeboat left.
of bed and going to shelters which camouflaged tenis flapping in the commanders on the spot took a swift British shioping interests have bought Distress signals were also intercept-are lacking in heating arrangements. wind, travel-strained radio lorries or view and made their decisions in a sixteen old cargo vessels from the ed reporting that the steamer Napler Star was torpedoed at 1.35 p.m. London, the discomfort and harsh re-were the pride of the Italian Army old-time conventional generals but for which they bid $3.295,000. The According to evidence available in new dugouts which, until recently, manner which would have horrified United States totalling 140,626 tons, EST, in lattude 68.50 N. longitude gulations are having a greater effect 23.13 W. which is about 800 miles at on German morale than the fear of Intelligence work contributed to the of General Sir
Brilliant patrol and other military which obviously had the full blessing Maritime Commission hos sea, The Nopler Star is an ex-Blue bombing.
Archibald Wavell. the bld. Funnel liner of 1,200 tons.
British victory. For instance, It was TURN to Pago 4, Column Three
Full Report
LONDON, Dec. 18 (British Wire- less) The Admiralty states: "In the early hours of this morning, or motor torpedo boats, carrying out an offensive patrol off the Belgian coast, successful attack on a large armed enemy supply ship of between 0,000 and 7,000 tons.
*
"The enemy ship was seen to break up and sink.
by.
"Fire was opened with machine- from the enemy ship Just before guns sho sank, but this fire was ineffective. "An enemy escort ship, a vessel of the trawler typo, was then
engaged machine-gun fire from MTI's and was hit. A torpedo was cur fired at the enemy trawler and use explosion was felt by our M.TB. and the enemy ship ceased firing.
"No casualties or damage were sustained by any of our forces."""
18 Fall Prey To Crocodiles
Tragedy
I have been touring a dusty desert outpost where the army's front line administration Is carried out in After taking Sidl Barcani, the
Colony Husbands To Home Govt. Is
Petition Rejected
The Hongkong's husbands' petition to the Secretary of State for the Colonies pleading for the return of evacuated wives and families has met with a polite, but firm refusal. In his telegram replying to the petition, the Secretary of State says: "The execution of H.M. Govern ment's decision was necessarily in the hands of the local authorities, and even if it were true that some individuals were so minded as to fail to submit themselves to H.M. Government's decision in such critical times as these, H.M. Government would fall in their responsibilities if they treated such disservice as to warrant reversal of policy."
measure.
SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH" WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 (UP)—
accepted
U G
UTAR
¡SAN GIO
ADRIATIC STATIC
SEA
DURAZZOA
BRINDISI
SASEND
(16)
DRIN
ELBASAN
LECCE
TO MILES
KORITZA
VIOSA R.
ITALY
SCALE OF MILES ROADS
QUAL
GREEKS HAMMER AT TEPELINI
Local Advances Claimed
Special to the “Telegraph” ́ ́.
BUDAPEST, Dec. 18 (UP).-The Greek radio this evening reported that the Greeks have intensified their hammering 'on Tepelini, and had made local advances,
The Italians are feverishly strengthening their fortifications at Valona.
LI. George Refuses Envoyship
But May Join Cabinet
SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH"
LONDON, Dec. 18 (Domei). Political commentators revealed
GERMANS CLOSE that Mr Winston Churchill asked BORDER, REPORT Mr Lloyd George to accept the SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH" ambassadorship to the United VICHY, Dec.
(UP) The States to succeed the lato Lord authorities have denied rumours that Lothian. the Germans completely shut the interzone boundary during the past 24 hours.
18
However, It is known that nobody
provided with special vigns. during recent days has been allowed to cross the border except officials
LATEST
However, Mr Lloyd George regret fully declined the offer on the grounds that he was not it to assume heavy role to Washington, because of his age.
Meeting Resistance
SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH" STRUGA, Dec. 18.(UP)-Frontier reports declare that the Greeks have advanced their right wing along the main Tepelin-Valona road and are pursuing the Italians, who are now about a mile and a halt north of Tepelint. However, they are meet- ing strong Italian rearguard resist- ance.
The Greeks, captured 160 Italians at Palasa, south of Valona.
It is also reported that the Greeks which control the town of Berat in have reached the Tomor mountains the Küsura-Tepelini sectors.
Peril of Avalanches ATHENS, Dec. 18 (UP)-A new mountain peril faces both the Italian and Greek
forcea-valanches.
Ro- ports from the central and northern fronts describe that the repercussions of the heavy guns is bringing down hundreds of tons of snow and rocks, sweeping men, guns and mules with thom.
re-
The report said that crack, Italian forces are counter-attacking from Meanwhile, it is reported that the Porto Palermo but are being pússibility of Mr Lloyd George join- pulsed with heavy losses. ing the Cabinet still remains if Bir Yesterday, using captured Italian Churchill decides on a reshufic of mortars, the Greeks broke the Cabinet again.
Up the TURN to Page 4, Column Four
37 Danish Ships Indo-China-Thai
For Britain?
The reply then goes on to ad- and separation which has been bome cannot regard allegations of racial minister a reminder that they those affected by the evacuation discrimination asustined. In the people in Hongkong, although ernment that a section of women and financial burden of evacuation scheme The decision of 1.M. Gay-endeavour to relieve the Colony of forced to make sacrifice in these children in the Coolny thould be 11.M. Government have accepted cost days, are not faced, with the evacuated as a defence measure was themselves.
I rtalise at their distance from Finally the reply expresses the deterioration in the political situa- the encrinces but hourly risks: that It is reliably learned that the United
Hongkong in the event of serious petitioners entirely to realise not only confidence that the British public intion in the Far East. They appreciate are being cheerfully accepted day by States is considering taking over the other part of the Empire in accepting familles concerned but they had here to say nothing of our sailors, American ports. It is expected that whatever sacrifices they may be called wider and vital British interests than airmen and soldiers. There are they will be made available to the
same sacrifices demanded hourly of factors concerning defence of scene of hostilities, it is hard
taken after most careful consideration and daily by those at Home.
for
*SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH” WASHINGTON, Dec." 18" (UP)----
Hongkong will not be behind any sacrifices involved on the part of day by every individual in our oftles 37 Danish, vessels which are now in
War
Called Childlike”
Special to the "Telegraph”
upon to make for the supreme end any individual interest to consider. obviously out of all proportion to Britlso understood that lean that the border war is stiffening, with French artillery Bring an
SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH", MANILA, Dec. 10 (UP) The in view. "Manila Bulletin" reports that 18 Text of Reply people, including several women and The Secretary of State's reply to the chlidren died in the crocodiles petition follows.
Reply To Petition
The execution of H.M., Government's smaller ancrifices complained of by
decision was necessarily in the hands petitioners and I am confident once authority for the seizure is a stum- of the local authorities and even If these facts ard.put to British in Hong-bling block, and it may be necessary it were true that some Individuals and they will not be behind any to sak Congress for the necessary Inforted. As two small boots
River near Mamugan
were so minded as to fail to submit other part of the Empire in accepting Lanao when
themselves to HM. Government's whatever sscrifices they may be sank The following reply to the petition decision in such critical Umesas called upon to make for supreme end
legislation. low bodies have been re- State
was received from the Secretary of these H.M. Government would fall in in view?" ROMERO covered owing to the swift currents al for the Coloniesimittee that such desponsibilities if they treated The Petition
their j
nichtream.
and the presence of crocodiles, al- have received and considered their versal of polley Evacuation was The paullop-despatched to the though hundreds have been engaged representations and that I appreciate confined by H. M. Government to Benatary of State for the Colonies ini soarching for bodies.
with all sympathy the disturbance narrowest possible limit and thay TURN to Back Paye, Column 3.
500 Back Page: For Further Late News
HANOI, Dec. 18 (UP)—The French have taken the attitude additional 25 shells towards Muk from Savannakhet this morn Ing, making a total of 50 shells against 25 from the Thailand side.
Even the French laugh at this and her baby, who were taken tit for tat child-like border war. by junk to the mainland and are It was revealed this evening now being held as hostages In that last Sundoy, natives, after the jungles. murdering M.Olivier, the French kooper of the Pouloob light cessful in their searches for the pair
Rescue parties, have been unsud- house, kidnapped: Mrs Olivier TURN to Fage 4, Columa Threa
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