1948-11-26 — Page 6

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BIRTH

XAVIER-AL St. Theresa's Hos- pital on November 24, 1948, to Belly Marin Xavier, wife of Pedro Fernando Xavier, Br wift of

Both well. (Marna papers please copy).

sen

IN MEMORIAM

GOLDENBERG-in memory of

Charles Archibald (“Archie") Goklenberg, who passed

By on November 20, 1941 inserted by members of St. Joseph's Fatball & Softball Club).

THE KING

arc

THE CHINA MAIL, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1948.

THE SEVENTEENTH INSTALMENT

CRUSADE IN EUROPE

"Tentative and unofcini details of contemplated British carrier- borne air support are as follows: In the covering force enst of Gibraltar. one carrier with 20 fighters and 30 for- pero planes; at Algiers in direct support 64 lighters 10 torpedo planes. In addition loves, one old carrier with 13 planes may pus- sibly ún ruvaitable,

lo

The following are the parll- cular factors that bear directly) upers

the degree of huzurd in- herent in this operation:

"(a) The sufficiency of carrier.

borne air support during initiat

stage.

The operational

Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower's

Own Story Of The War In Europe

Scotland,

10

Western enter in ern Europe may rapidly

<luring Spain and operate against our} abominable weather.

A group line of Communications

of the staff necompanied me to "This would not be an opera-observe the operation and were tion for the Germans except far from encouraged by the evi- with the full acquiescence and dent lack of support of

Spain

bombs, and lubricants exist at the Spanish

would re

14

and

WIN

far made possible the invasion of North West Afrien. Without it the vital air cover would not have been quickly established on the North Africa felds. In the early phases of the invasion the smalt airdrome there had necessarily to serve both as an operational field and as a slaging point for aircraft making the passage from England to the African mainland.

Evel several weeks before D-day it be- came jammed with fighter craft. up by

fence

n

by only

Even our Politically,

Bight io Gibraltar It had been ac- the been hazardous, leaning toward

Almost physically, ous attempts to make the pas

complished only after two pre- leaning against the barbed-wire fence were any number of Axis

had been Every day we expected

BE-

from England frustrated

by foul weather.

took off from finally fore we England the officer commanding slx Fortresses assigned to

* Every inch WAS token

either n Spitire or a can of gaso akill, particularly Caroline, among ship companies and boat line. All this was exposed to the reconnaissance planes he enemy's do not crews. However, since these

and not even an attempt at lastom nirfleks had been-assembled at the strength of and the transfer to that country minute, to minimise interference camouflage could be made. Worse, the airfield itself lay on the and maintenance in Allied shipping programme Spanish border, separated from the French Air Force in Africa of groun: is about 300 planes.

and supplios

we hopes!

belleved that Neither crews

territory Spanish revented the

by Cet-major errors quire considerable time. the bombers nor the fighters

barbed-wire Main facts that bear upon the exercises would not be repeated Spain modern type, but of the most the Bghters are superior in per- likelihood of such enemy action in actual operations. This proved, nd, formance to the naval types on are, first, that Germany slrently to be the case.

has excellent landing felds in While on this trip I received a carriers. Consequently,

which their long- plece of information that carried French

Skelly, from determined make

ແ[ unified resistance

back again to America's tra- agents, range aircraft cun operate with- to the initial

trouble out going to the

of C6-

Indifference ditional peacetime

a major attack by hostile bomb Bali. particularly by concent-

tablishing new

ers; as each day went by with bases. Secondly, loward Preparedness, tration the bulk of their alr

the advantages io

out such in attack we went to Germany of joki by a

commander troop

that ngainst either of the nujor ports,

bed-puzzled, even astonished. received its occupying the berlan Peninsula his unit had just

The only explanation for it was have always existed. Anal consignment of "bazookas,”

with his technical advice fact

that our measures for deceiving that Germany

best weapon has the Infantryman's

working well against making the fight, the de- ride no noticeable move in this of defence against tanks. Since the enemy were

We knew

that long before the claton as to whether or not he direction, even under the condi- his command was to begin em-

offe

It was the only 100 U.S. dghters on Ranger and lately existing when sub- barking the next

attack could tak place the Axis should take ho was ** diny. auxiliary)

be

would lenra of increased activity apparently

slantinl

the parts of

British completely at a loss na to how ""

ut Gibraltar. abond 186 planex in actual aval strength have been inside to teach his men the use of this.

We hoped the that altuntion because normally the landings. port of

Only

- Mediterranears, an at least vitally 20 to 30

a pro be will

with

needed weapon. He said. enemy would conclude that we the naval covering forces to the

"I don't know anything about it were making another, unusually nat. It did not seem

ambitious attempt to reinforce pitivus omen for the great adven- myself except from hearsay," Fastword, These fighters will

ture, but we had to go through. Malin Nothing more could now be straits

We flew at an average height of be under the usund handicaps of

done in London. It was a rellot enerier-baserl aircraft

hundred feet. When the great when

to luck up a desk. To account

Rock of Gibraltar Annily loonies? land-base:1 operating

for y

from London an absence

concealing buze my planes,

of dreary surroundings, and it of its elaborate story that I

visit to

They cant seriously interfere with, if not prevent, a landing at that point.

total carrier-borne The The Dghter strength teounting

wil

anningt

on

(b) Efficiency of Gibraltar as an erection point for fighter air-

fields have been secured.

the

the enemy aome evidence that does not consider this an easy operation,

Other factors that ** "(g) have conskiers in arriving the conclusions given below are the experiences of the recent Malta convoy and the assump

"Sinee Gibraltar Is the only | ***

whs

which had been in dire for months.

Yet in spite of the certain con

was circulates thences of any enemy air at-

making o

take our party to Gibraltar de- ely placed before me, 10-

tute in my life I was faced with

The air commander's decision

of all the thousand and one things pilat remarked, "This is the Beat

port available in Allies in that vng and not come under air for Gibraltar, in a flight of five sailors, and airmen congregateri :

transfer of

tion that Allied naval losses Washington. Even the President that could easily go wrong in the time I have ever had to climb to craft to be used after landing within the

rent venture about to be launch-get into landing trofe at the end past 10 days have helped out in this particular de- been constilerable.

within the headquarters thereof a long trip!" The Malia coption. Actually we took of

was a definite buoyancy. Soldiers. Fortresses, on November 5, 1942.

ifere

were simulated by that At Gibraltar we were greeted by the governor,

Lieutenant feeling of exhilaration that in

variably ensues when one leaves General Sir F. N. Mason-Mac- | Yan Furlane, who most hospitably months of grinding preparatio. and irksome action behind and en turns his eyes expectantly to the welcomed House for quarters. By a series outcome of a bold venture.

ANG

זן

per

vult of

A little more than a week ago the Empire was rejoking fat the birth of a Prince to H.R.H. Princess Elizabeth. the Today all peoples of Commonwealth

deeply concerned by the disturbing news regarding the health of His Majesty, who has been compelled to cancel all public several engagements for months, including, to the acute disappointment of Aus- tralia and New Zealand, the Royal Tour which was plan-pertally ned for early next year. No Cause for real anxiety is roused by, the official state- ment. It is nonetheless made clear that the strain of the war years and the exacting duties devolving upon Hia Majesty since he was called upon to succeed the Duke of Windsor, have taken a heavy toll of his health. As "The Times" remarks, the revela- tion will sadden the thoughts of British people throughout

war.

the

The ས་ ཆ

es-

མ་

by

11

UX to Governmenat

True, there was tensenets—and

natural.

of

l spite of the Innetion Imposed attack until it was practically

upon us at Gibraltar, there was region, the

south of Santinia and its dim- fighter craft to exptured air-culties West of that point were

work we could do, Already we were planning steps to follow n largely depen dromes will be

from submarine action. dent

upon our ability to set up

Based on all the above, we

Successful landing, including the Gibraltar 1t

early transfer of headquarters to reasonable mum-

Algiers. future problems to attract our in- There was no lack of ber for immediate operations and consider that the operation has IL flow

thereafter of at least more than a toir chance of sur-

cess provided Spain stays neu- of minor mishaps the plane in

terest, but ench could be solved, 30 30

day.

| 14. Gibral

trat and the French forces either in which I was flying was un-

could even be undertaken, only

interference

offer only token restainance or are reported in London for several contil feel it in every little cave

rsstut. So back and back again Within Spanish

obvious.

so badly divkled by internal dis- hours after the safe arrival or makeshifting for an office. It was if the initial attack proved suc-

matter foreus, is

Atlie by

political tile sension and

the others in the group had been the Spaniards should take hostile

20 hours the Allies would know the to the immediate issue our minds manoeuvring that effective res reported. This caused some con-

inevitably come. action against us immediately

the initial fate of their first combin- and our talk sternation among the staff,

We hnd three clays to w

to wait. upon the beginning of landing sistance will be negligible.

In our opinion that Spain will large portion of which was still offensive gesture of the war.

Aside from the seesaw campaigns Finally the leading ships steamed paratis, it would be practical stay neutral, at least during the in the United Kingdom, but of ly impossible to secure any land-

of advance and retreat that had in at night through the narrow peration, this we were of the

unaware at the cruft for use in early stages

them provided

headlands to watch moment. One plane, which had been going on in the Western De- stralt and we stood on the dark we are successful

pass northern Africa for a period of | P based fighter

maintaining profound secrecy in failed to take off with us, made surt for two full years und Still no news of nir or submarine.

battle of Guadalcanal, attack! come

days.

Island connection with our intentions. the flight on the following day

We became more hope- **(c) Another critical

work hart thful that the enemy, following his factor She has done

50 in the past and was attacked by two Ger-nowhere in the

Ger Allies been capable of under- affecting the air will

taclics JU-884, One man

Wis when

of the past against Malta taking, on the ground anything| Ben state of the weather.

We wounded but the gunnas on the

ven convoys, would keep his alc, sub- "It is planned to transfer by passed through the strail.

more than moro defence. flying to captured airdromes in believe, on the other hand, that Fortress finally drove off the at-

our defensive record was tragical-marine, and surface forces con- North Africa The American we will encounter very consider tacking planes.

I went to the tunnels of the draped in defeats, of which centrated to the Eastward around Sicily, in unticipation of making able resistance from certain sec-

Dunkirk, Balaan, Hong Kong, units now in Great Britain ex-able

a devastating attack as ships ap- We Fortress, where our offices were

To- Thesions of the French forces.

Singapore, Sourabayu, and cept the Spitfire groups,

proached the narrow passuge be- Inst will necessarily be shipped Brunch will be most favourable Cunningham, who had made the

believe

in which the located and there I met Admiral bruk were black reminders. those hours that

wetween that island and the Atri- During

nway among Gibraltar's can mainland,

and ·

"(d)

મ

to

the

or cap-

"tànce" of the French Army.

14

similar

the area

near Tunis.

large

נון

Convoys

man

CHAPTER 6

--but-that-the .... "In the region now are some

success including thu French division

The rather poorly equipped but presumably capture of Tunis before it can be with a fair degree of training reinforced by the Axis, are con- and with the benent of professiderably less than 50 per cent. the Into account sional leadership. this Army This takes

surrounding the should act us a unit in contest-great dimeulty ing the invasion, it would, in building up of a land-based air view of the slowness with which force, the low capacity of ports was established in the most dis- Allied forces can be accumulat-and

slowness consequent

in mul setting we ed at the two main ports, so building up

INVASION

OF AFRICA

A Gibraltar our Headquarters

the

Orun,-most-of-these-ships would particular operation. The danger

of Bust-minute postponement-at-- ss through the narrow Strait of Gibraltar, Bunked by guns that Casablanca was a lively one, and might at any moment speak up this should happen there were

only two alternatives. in fas

Other

favour of the Nazis, ships, coming from America, were to proceed directly against Casa- to its blanca and pori towns North and South.

The three main experlitions occupied during were plowing through seas in-

that

the world, for in sorrow as

I ́set up at Gibraltar in joy the private fortunes

paceri tured airdromes. A speil of had to us is around Algiers, with the Journey from Lotion in a fast

In the orginal planning the of Allied ships, of the Royal Family are felt weather would su weaken the areas in which we will probably cruiser. He and I began to scan

encounter resistance Those be the reports of weather and of Caverns, hundreds of anticipated to be the personal concern

air support In the

conditions at Casablanca possible were steaming

North across the of all families within the al- carly stages of the operation as tween Oran and Casabianca and operation, to check and recheck in fast and slow-moving convoys, Probability of encountering im-

everything we had done, and to

cene was one of the factors that made to constitute another definit:

Atantle toward a common cen- me reluctant to commit the legiance of the Crown. The

hazard to sUCCESS.

"We believe that the chances talk over the things that have

tre on the coast of North West largest of our contingents to this physical strain imposed by

Algiers and To attack The character of rests of effecting initial landings are so far been related in this book. Afric. the professional routine of

-than- better

cven chances of over-ali modern kingship is seldom

operation, fully appreciated. On King George VI the physical has always been more than matched

the by

nervous strain. He ascended Throne in a year of crisis. During the dark days of the when the survival of the British Isles was at stake, the King's anxieties for the whole nation

indeed great and the King had to bear them in his capacity as supremo representative. Peace-if world conditions today can so be called-have brought little relaxation, but through these trying years His Majesty has remained undaunted and has spread courage and confidence by his selfless devotion to his weighty task. Millions have drawn strength from his ex- ample and will share in the universal good wishes for a complete recovery.

were

rein-

line

of Biscay

The first was merely to direct grent Convoy to delay its innding and to steam in circles adjacent through the

scn' areas, awaiting favourable mument. The disadvantages of this scheme. were several. All surprise in the of land forces, the the war. The subterranean pas- fested with U-boats. At Gibral- Western attack would be lost; delay and hamper operations very poor character of the long sages under the Hock provided tar most of our separate convoys that the real object of the ex-

of communications

from the sole available office space, and would enter an area where they secondly, the ships would remain pedition could not be achieved, Casablanca to Oran, and finally in them was located the signal would come under the threat of exposed to the attacks of hostile

of of the uncertainty

Our troops hart submarines which swarmed in the the French equipment by which we expected mumy bombers. namely, the selzing control

Buy

and Southward, to keep in touch with the com- been only hastily trained for this thirdly, the appearance of over- the north shore of Africa before altitude.

of the which manders

three assault complicated "Further eventualities it con be

landing substantially

Lype of ឌ involve might

change forced by the Axis.

inforces. The eternal darkness of operailon and, for the most part whelming power resulting from The

of the

here and there had never participated in battic. simultaneous assault of all three attitude

Spanish attitude, as well as in- the tunnels was

poris would be greatly diminish- shipping partially pierced by feeble elec- Avaliable shipping did not pered. Finally, there is a limit to the creasing naval and Spanish Army.

"While there have been no in- difficulties and consequent slow-tric bulbs. Damp, cold air

the mit us to carry along all in our reinforcements, block-long passages dientions to date that the Span- ing up

was heavy forces and equipment necessary fuel capacity of ships. stagnation iards would take

are difficult to evaluate. sides in the

that did not Any with

to assure success. Of course we

To Be Continued war as a result of this particular sign of failure at this singe and noticeably respond to the cintter

efforts of electric fans. operation, this contingency must a delay of reinforcements to ar- ing be looked on as a possibility, rive might be seized upon by the Through the arched cellings came particularly if Germany should Axis as a reason for coming into a

that faithfully but muke definite move toward en- Spain, and if Spain should then face waler tering Spain. In any event, enter the war the results would drearily ticked off the seconds of the interminable, almost unen- Spain's entry would Instantly be most serious."

Week after week this sort of durable, wait which occurs be- entall the loss of Gibraltar as a

went on. Although the tween completion of landing field and would prevent

military moment operational plan and the our use of the Strait of Gloriat essentials unt effective action could beplan had been crystallised early, begins.

There was .no some slight

other place to taken by the Allies. In view every day brought

In November 1042 the of available resources, it would change in detail until almost the use. Rent Control

United Nations possessed, except appear doubtful that such effec- anal day before sailing. tive betion is within our cap-

Along with planning went in for the Gibraltar Fortress, not a The point taken by a cor-

spections of training and physingle spot of ground in all the respondent today on the sub-abliities.

"(1) The poseblilty that the eical proparation. Our fual and region of western Europe, and in fect of rent control anomalles German air forces now In West- most ambitious training exercise the. Mediterranean area, nothing in Hong Kong has already

in landing operations took place west of Malta. been emphasised more than

•

our of

once in these columns. In time to check the grasping the peculiar conditions which speculator is now, not when DO YOU have prevailed since the inflated profits have already

Liberation, not omitting the been reaped. In the latter KNOW

serious necessity for official case, all that would be. open encouragement of new hous-to the Government would be ing_construction. some dis- the institution of Fair Rents parity between the rentals of Courts to which all tenants

pre-war property and of pre- of newly-built houses might built in the last two have recourse, involving pro-

mises

YOUR

HONG

vears, iA understandable. tracted proceedings. There KONG?

That this should be accepted is, however, another process In principle, however, does open, of immediate applica- not involve consent to undla- tion, namely the requisition-

Can you cognise where

| gulsed exploitation, of the ing of all vocant flats, control this plature was lăcute housing shortage. As over their allotments, and the taken? The an- our correspondent suggests, setting of standard rents swer is in Page the problem threatens to in- based upon a fair return upon

Savan. crease gravely as a direct } bullding · costs. The step consequence of China's trou- would arouse strong protest bles and the likely influx of from speculative builders, but large numbers of refugees, it would make life more Chinese and foreign, and the bearable for scores of people.'

a constant drip, drip, drip of sur-

nction

Britain's Gibral-

were tense.

MACAO

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BAILO

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SPECIAL WEEKEND BOUND TRIF

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