1941-05-23 — Page 18

Page?

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 yesterday.

at Germany

He recalls that Germany prom- ised Rumania friendship but gave

Bessarabini wway

and Tran syb atum, whe add the resource - of Rumania are in German hatids.

He recall ale that while stil Firendly to Gireer, the GeriORIU promised Saloka to the Yugo slay

MR. CHURCHILL'S

REVIEW OF

BATTLE FOR CRETE

JUST BEFORE THE HOUSE OF COMMONS ADJOURNED LAST

EVENING THE PRIME MINISTER, MR. WINSTON CHURCHILL, GAVE

"A VERY PROVISIONAL ACCOUNT" OF THE BATTLE OF CRETE, IN WHICH HE TOLD THE HOUSE THAT FIGHTING CONTINUES WITH 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 He

German mentinis ances to other niall couple e5

Germans are now in what is called occupation, and says that in the last war,: When Turkey was Germany's of the town, which probably means they are aily. Germany offered the

ensconced in certain buildings in the town. Russia

Straits and lɛtanbul to

in return for a reparate peace.

Therefore a promise of frimal shp de no prevent the Ger

them dividit, up a country

with whom they have sworn ticular fighting though an

frastuch hap

His serps of arteles continua to attract widespread altention. Reuter

WAR TECHNICIANS

AUDI

"In the Retimo district gaged by artillery and machine- there is no report of par- "AL 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 stili under fire,

attempt by the enemy to attack the aerodrome early on Wednesday

"IN THIS SECTOR THE

morning was successfully COASTAL LINE STILL RE- held.

MAINS IN QUR 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 and Lebanon are returning

of Egyptian residents in Syria

Egypt, says Reuter from Cairo.

to

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 no casualties are report- ed. Reuter.

THROUGH EYES OF A MILITARY CORRESPONDENT

(By Reuter's Military Commentator)

THE OUTCOME of the battle for Crete

"In the Canea-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 fol- technicians has been drawn up lowed during the day by further by the Indian National Labour | parachute landings south-west of Service Tribuna), Reuter.

Canea, which were heavily en-

Dmart to Own...

Smart to Give...

RONSON

LIGHTERS

FOR SOME TIME.

Convoys Intercepted

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

"On Wednesday night the

landings but a convoy making for

naval forces and two transports

Crete was intercepted by our been heavily punished, most of them being and calques (Greek boats), which killed and captured.

probably contained troops intend-

ed for landing operations, were

sunk.

The Germans, however, are reinforcing

ing the cenvoy, was also sunk from the air, which they can do owing to the "An enemy destroyer escort. this first detachment strongly and rapidly

THE CONVOY TURNED

ISLANDS OF THE ARCHIPE-

A WAY TOWARDS THE proximity of the Greek mainland to Crete, LAGO AND WAS BEING AT- which enables them to mass a powerful air TACKED BY OUR DESTROY.. F ERS AND LIGHT FORCES. force and troops against the defence.

"I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY FURTHER INFORMATION RE- GARDING WHAT HAS HAP. PENED EXCEPT THAT THERE A GREAT DEAL OF

WAS

FIGHTING DURING THE DAY, ENEMY AIRCRAFT ATTACK - ING OUR SHIPS AND WE-AT- TACKING THE CONVOY.

One Result ?

"I have no definite information about the results but I feel they can hardly be other than satis- factory in view of the naval forces at our disposal in the Mediterranean generally.'

A shipment of the latest models just unpacked, Pocket including Lighters, Lighter- Cigarette Case Com- binations and Table and Desk Lighters and Combinations.

Silverware Dept

The WING

Make your selection to-day.

ONC

CO.,LTD

At this point a member. Inter- posed suggesting that Mr. Chur- chi'l convey to the forces on Crete a message expressing ap- preciation, admiration and con- fidence in them.

row sea

The Germans are trying to sup~ | port these

air-borne flights of troops by others crossing the nar- in small boats of all kinds, bringing artillery and tanks. These are likely to appear at night. They

make the crossing In the dark but the Germana must first establish some force close to boaches or harbours In order to cover their dicembarkation.

can

hope to drive our navy from the By the use of air power they

neighbourhood of Crete in order to effect a crossing in boats. They are not likely to succeed in this,

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."

one near Candia and the other some 70 miles to the west of Suda Bay and Cunea.

Strange Battle

In addition many compara. tively small parties are probably being dropped ali over the

This kind of battle demands a great deal of thought. preparar 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 quali-. ty, the power of inspiring great energy and resolution in all sub ordinate leaders who will have to act promptly and independently.

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

The Prime Minister then con- tinued: "It is a strange and grim battle which is being fought, one in which our side has no air sup- pot because they have no acro.

ing alarm and confusion and dromes — not because they have

attacking communications.

material captured from no aeroplanes while the other

These are not very numerous the Italians in the African cam- side has very little or no artil-in Crete, however and that fact paigns now augment the defence lery or tanks and neither side is likely to react more in our has any means of retreat.

country with the object of creat- SINGAPORE DEFENCE

"It is a desperate and grim battle and I certainly will send wishes and encouragement to the men who are fighting what la undoubtedly a most impor- tant battle, which will affect the whole course of the -cam- paign In the Mediterranean,”

War

of Singapore.

ak

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 a a row of Italian anti-tank guns nuisance than a 'serious menace. among other armament. Reu-

tér.

Defence Problems

A member asked: “When the Nevertheless the air attack, Prime Minister suggests the first to be attempted on this grand Owing 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" ntend- MR. CHURCHILL:- "I CER-it to disperse its troops over a ed to be given by the Indian TAINLY DID NOT. THINK OF wide area, which may cleave a Association to-day at the Glouces 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 an

REUTER.

or air may suddenly appear, Enounced inter,