1941-05-24 — Page 3

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THE CHINA MAIL, MAY 24, 1941.

BIG BATTLE FOR SUPREMACY

Fate Of Crete Hangs On Grim Contest

Royal Navy Defeating Nazi Attempts

(By Reuter's Diplomatic Correspondent)

THE FATE OF CRETE depends very large- ly on the result of the great battle for supre- macy between air and naval strength ・ now › being fought in the confined waters between Cape Matapan and Suda Bay.

I

For three days and nights the Royal Navy have defeated all attempts of the Germans to send reinforcements, and especially equip ment, across the 60-mile channel. An at- tempt to run the blockade during the night was heavily defeated, two large transports, a destroyer and a large number of caiques being sunk.

A Crock

esque

smack is a double-ended

fishing! cralt

with a collapsible mast which is usually rowed by live to

might

oarsmen. It would be extremely useful for transporing men adid munitions but courie not

ven the smallest tank.

carry

Not daunted by the disostrous result of the night

..Itempt,

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fleet of transports on Thursday attempted the passt en daylight under the protection of aircraft,

Loss Inflicted

It was scattered by the Navy and that loss was inflicted evidenced by the fact that ita tian ships were seen picking up survivors.

Obviously the Navy could not follow up the victory by chasing the transports to their hars the narrow inland waters of the Aegean

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The job of the Navy is not easy, as it has to fight in com- paratively close prox mnly to the shore, where the enemy have. large number

dive-bombers. awarably and where the scene is too far distant for British fighter planes to operate.

Moreover, the enclose.{ waters around Crete are highly 415- advantageous for aircraft carriers, and planes from the latter would, in any case, achieve little in the face of the large forces of land- based aircraft being the Germans.

used by

BRITISH

SUCCESS

IN IRAQ

In both the Tobruk and Sollum areas our patrols have again been active, stated yesterday's Cairo com-

munique.

In Iraq our troops have successfully dis- persed on enemy counter-attack which gained о tem- porary footing on the outskirts of the town of Fallujah. Twenty Iraqi rebel officers and 90 other ranks have been taken pri- soner. Reuter.

British Troops Splendid ROYAL

On the island, despite the German air strength. the Bri- tish troops seem to be showing up splendidly against the para- chutists, who have suffered heavy lossCB. Parachutists

ure still being

MESSAGE

TO SMUTS

THE FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT

OF A MESSAGE

HAS

The untiring efforts of the crews of minesweepers are keep- ing the harbour channels and approaches free from the enemy mines, thus making them safe for shipping using our ports. A mineaweeper is well protected from air attack as this pictura of a un crew shows. (Copyright. Fox).

THE NAVY'S GRIM STRUGGLE WITH NAZI AIR FORCES

(By Reuter's Naval Correspondent)

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QUISLING USURPER DENOUNCED

A Moslem ruler, the Nawab of Rampur, yes- terday denounced the "stupendous folly and reckless ambition of a usurper and a Quisling," in referring to the Iraqi rebellion in a statement.

"Raschid All's treachery." de- clared the Nawab, "has come as great shock to all devout Moslems.

"The independence of Iraq was gained with the help of the Bri- fish, not forget'ing the contribu- tom made by India and her peo-

ple.

"That hard-earned independ- ence is now in grave danger. By admitting the Axis into the very heart of the Middle East, Ras- thid Ali has jeopardised the security of all surrounding Mos- lem countries,

"There are a thousand and one patches of holy sacred ground in Iraq dear to all Moslems of the world. In the name of God, the Prophet and his fumily I raise my voice in protest against the sacrilege and treachery of which Racchid All has been guilty." Reuter.

ITALIAN HOOLIGANS IN S'HAI

Mr. George Leonof, city editor of the "China Press," Shanghai English- language morning paper, is reported to have been injured yesterday after- noon by four Italians.

The Italians attacked him after charging he was responsible for anti-Italian editorials appearing in that paper.

THE BRITISH NAVY is fighting a battle without precedent in the narrow and danger- drink a large bottle of castor oil.

ous waters which surround the island of Crete.

It is certain that never before has there RAL been such a grim struggle between naval FROM BUCKING-forces and air forces and still it remains true

SENT GENERAL

dropped like swarms of locusts and inevitably they establish fool. holds in more than one district.

But undoubtedly the Germans KING will also make further attempts JAN SMUT. to run the blockade as the only HAM PALACE:- means by which supplies can be

of

On the question

on this, your birthday, to appoint

delivered to air-borne troops. "It gives me particular pleasure that until last night the British ships and their troops receiving reinforcements, it Army.

British you Field-Marshal in the British crews who undergo such a tremendous ordeal must be recalled that the latter would have to be landed in the military rank will be warmly wel- from the sea on the shores of the island.

Your promotion to the highest have prevented any German from landing face of almost unopposed dive-, comed in this country not only for your great and devoted services but as leader of a people whose fighting men have been playing most brilliant part in the victor- ious campaign in East Africa. send you my heartiest congratu- lations and best wishes.”. -Reuter.

bombing-Reuter.

MESSAGE

TO FREE GREEKS

THE GREEK MINISTER OF INTERIOR YESTERDAY ISSUED THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE IN CAIRON

*"To free Greeks, the fight which we have started against the Germans on our heroic island is proceeding satisfactorily.

}

GREEK KING IN CAIRO ?

en

According to a story in this morning's "China Press," Leono was lured onto a vacant lot in the French Concession and there beat- up after he had refused to

Leonot, who is believed to be Russian, is said to have sustained various cuts and bruises on the face and head.-Reuter.

MENZIES CONFIDENT

Mr. R. G. Menzies, Aus! tralian Prime Minister,

the on

tant is that the Royal Navy has

What is almost equally impor- most Important shield against who arrived in Wellington also prevented, during the first

dive-bombing attacks... As already announced.

his return journey three days of this momentous bat-Royal I

Navy frustrated an at from Britain and the or am-tempt by a large convoy of Ger- United States, spoke t'e, any stores of arms munition being landed from man transports to land troops on enemy ships upon the island. the shores of Crete.

optimistically of the "bati Further results of the engage-tle of the Atlantic, though When the time comes to tell ment are awaited but it is known the full story of this aeroplane that Italian escort ships were busy he did not underestimate versus warship action Aegean it will be of the endur-picking up survivors. -Reuter.

Rome radio reports that, ac- cording to a Cairo message, King "Our brave allies, the British, George of Greece has arrived by closely united with Greek and air in the Egyptian capital. Cretan soldiers are doing magni-; Prince Paul and other members ficent work. ́.

of the Greek Royal Family are "Have courage. We are fight-reported to have been in Calro ing and will continue to fight for some days, as have also the. until Anal victory. God save free Greek ex-Premier and two of his people."— Reuter,.......

Ministers, Reuter,

%

ance

in

the

of British sallors against

almost incessant dive-bombing by ITALIAN PRISONERS

forces of German Stukas which are probably larger than uny others engaged during the whole course of the war.

Night And Day

IN INDIA

its difficulties.

American patrols, he said, were of first rate importance,

Mr. Menzies expressed the be- llef that improved air-raid pre- cautions would reduce night air raid to a point: when they will

It was learned in Simla yester- not become profitable. day that the number of Italian Ho warmly praised the fortl prisoners in India is approximate-tude of the British people..

Speaking of Mr. Winston Churt

The Navy is working nightly 32,500, and day in confined waters, The International Red Cross chill, British Prime Minister, Mr never: far from land, and rarely has appointed a delegates to or- Menzies għid that he was not tired out of range of enemy shore-zanise private endeavour for the in any based aircraft, and without that health and recreation of prisoners vigorous than before the war.

way and even more fighter protection which is the of war in India. Reuter

A Router

LOOPET BIG

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