HONGKONG DAILY PRESS
HEROISM AND DISCIPLINE UNDER TERRIBLE CONDITIONS
Eye-Witness' Account Of Dunkirk Evacuation
"WE CANNOT LOSE THIS WAR"
LONDON, June 2 (BWS)-Something of terrible conditions under which the British and French troops had been, and are being, evacuated from Dunkirk and of the heroism and discipline of the men can be appreciated from the account of the evacuation given by a naval eye-witness. ·
1
"All day on Thursday, I spent at a south coast base where the ships that brought For days and nights there had been a continuous stream, the army off came and went. to and fro, of transports and destroyers, sloops and trawlers coming back, crammed to their utmost capacity with med.
They had been shelled by coastal, batteries and bombed almost ceaselessly from the air. They embarked thousands from the beaches, the men wading out to their armpits to reach the boats.
Swiss Shoot Down Nazi Bomber
· They embarked tens of thousands from piers and jetties, beat- ing off the German bombers with their guns, while the troops climb- ed on board, and they told me of the men of a Scottish Regiment who scrambled onto a destroyer forecastle in the last stages of ex- haustion and joined in the fussilade with their rides, trying to shoot down the low-diving bombers,
BOMBER APPEARS
"I was on board a destroyer int the afternoon that had just come Then a bomber appeared over- back from the beaches. She had head and we opened fire. The 52 bombs dropped over her, and French destroyer came in through she had lost her Captain, but she the entrance. firing as she came. Special To II.K. Daily Press came back, crammed to capacity, followed by a British destroyer. PARIS June 2 (Havasi The I salled in another destroyer about. Embarkation continued calmly as Swiss General Staff arrounces midnight. It was calm, clear and if nothing out of the ordinary was that Swiss patrol plates shot down starlit and the sea was like a mill happening. German shells began a German bomber near Yverdon pond. As We approached the bursting at the end of the mole in the Jura Mountains.
French coast we could see the Ger- with methodical regularity, hitting Reuter adds that this is the third man searchlights wheeling ner-nobody. about one every minute. German plane shot down in Swit-vously to and fro, and suddenly a A few stretcher cases arrived, car- zerland in two "days...
ried by men too tired to avoid stumbling.
Allies Will Win War
25
battery opened fire.
TRACER SHELLS
"Our guns swung round but they were not firing at us. We could see the tracer shells soaring up towards the stars. presumably almed at our coastal bombers.
way Our
As each was lowered on to the Eun platform between bursts of fire the surgeon, bent over each case with the mercy of a morphia syringe in his.. hand.
CABLE
AND THEY SAY IT WAS JUST
GOOD LUCK!
BERLIN, June 2 (Router)—A German military expert quoted by the Qfficial News AgoNOY BAYS! "The B.E F. had an unexpected stroke" of good luck in the poor visibility of the past, few days. This enabled. them to disembark in consider. able numbers,”
APPEAL TO PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT
CHUNGKING. June 2 (Central) -The Chinese-American' Institute of Cultural Relations has cabled an appeal to President Roosevelt- and the Secretary of State, Mr. Cordelt Hull, that the US. Gay- ernment place an
embargo on materials to Japan Imme-
war
diately.
According to
dis- a Chengtu patch, 40 American professors and missionaries there have
also cabled to Mr. Roosevelt making a similar appeal.
The cablegram said that Ame-
plying petrol, steel and iron to rica must bear the blame, for sup- the Japanese, and expressed the
confidence that she would help China to win' freedom and avoid
alding Japan in her aggression any further
More Planes For Allies
STINSONS READY FOR DELIVERY
It is also reported in local flying circles that the first group of Alis Stinsons, less than six months old, are now at the New York flying nele awaiting transhipment across the Atlantic,
"There was a dull glow of fire along the horizon and the daming
NEW YORK, June 2 (Reuter)-It We were full up at last. were bursting into red onions'
Every is reported here that about 600 IF THEY HOLD OUT|Mares. We wriggled
inch of space on deck and below privately owned planes have been through the minefields until we was crammed with men. Already sold to the Allies for reconnaissance 30 DAYS
were nearing Dunkirk, The oll many were asleep where they lay.
work and to direct artillery, MINNEAPOLIS, June 2 (Reuter) tanks werd stl blazing furiously
TIRED MEN CHEER "If the Allies can hold out for and there was an occasional sound As we went out we met another 30 days they will win the war," of the distant gunfire. By the of our destroyers coming in and the declared Senator Key Pittman, time we reached Dunkirk it was tired men raised a croaky cheer as Chairman of the Senate Foreign light enough to see the outlines of Relations Committee in an inter- the town buildings still standing black against the glare of fires, view here.
clouds of smoke and the vast blowing away to the east.
And it was light enough to assembled, the whole length of more thousands of men of the B.E.F. walting patiently for embarkation.
He added: "The only thing that could relleve the United States from the present threat, is the de- feat of Hitler. Every action of his Government had indicated that he longs for the great natural resources of South America.".
Finns Lost 66,406 Men In War
Special To H.K. Daily Press HELSINGFORS. June 2 (Havas) The official casualties list in the Finno-Russian War shows that the Finns lost 68,406 men, wounded and kled, the number of dead being nearly 20,000.
Observers recall that M. Molotov, the Soviet Foreign Commissar, himself admitted that the Finnish lasses amounted to less than one- fifth of the Russian Insses.
300.
she went past.
The English Channel was an ex- traordinary sight as the sun rose. It looked something like Henley Regatta, as if every craft on the south coast that could float was heading for Dunkirk and the beaches to finish off the job.
OVERHEAD VIGIL ..
There
* TRAWLER SUNK
were barges, yachts, There was a French destroyer launches and little boats in tow of already alongside, filling up with the bigger boats, and presently, up men. There was a trawler along- through the middle of them, came side also, but she had been sunk an overseas convey from the other by bombs and only her masts and side of the world. funnel were above water. Scaling ladders were raised and down came the troops as fast as fully equipped and fully armed men could.climb.
This was no army in defeat. They looked in magnificent fettle, ruddy, burly, and wear- ing their full equipment, but dog tired after fighting a re- arguard action, day and night. for a week.
Overhead, swooping to and fro, above this incrédible scene, was a squadron of Spitfires.".
The account concludes with an expression of opinion that "unless the men of the B.E.F. are. exter- minated; and the men who brought them off from the piers and beaches are exterminated, and all memory. of them is blotted out, we cannot lose this war."
ROTTERDAM OIL DEPOTS SUCCESSFULLY BOMBED
AMERICAN CLERK Forty Nazi Planes Destroyed
IS DETAINED LONDON, June 2 (Reuter)-The Home Office, announces that in consequence of the action taken by the American Ambassador, in co- operation with the British autho- rities, Tyler Kent, a clerk who has been dismissed from the employ ment of the American Govern- ment, has been under observation
:
In Dunkirk Area
LONDON, June 2 (Reuter) — It is officially announced that the Rotterdam ofl storage depots were successfully at- tacked by the R.A.F. yesterday.
יד
EIRE IN IMMINENT DANGER
A Reuter report from Dublin, says that Mr. Eamon De Valera, Prime Minister of Eire. In a broad- cast on Saturday night appealed to men to joth the army.
He said that the country was in immediate and Imminent danger and they had only days to prepare.
Palestine Is Preparing
MONDAY, JUNE 3, 1940.-PAGE 7
GREAT BATTLE OF
OF FLANDERS DRAWING NEAR THE END
Air Activity Sharper In Other
Sectors Of
Of French Front
ALLIED TROOPS REGAIN THEIR LINES
PARIS, June 2 (Renter)-With the great Battle of Flanders nearing an end there was marked increase in German air activity over other parts of France yesterday.
In addition to the Lyons region siready mentioned, various places in south-east France were heavily bombed though details are not yet avaliable. The places where alarms were sounded molade Saint Etienne, Rouen, Toulon and Marseilles.
ENEMY'S EFFORTS BEATEN BACK
PARIS, June. 2 "(Renter)-A French communique says that in the north our troops successfully "resisted the renewed afforis of the and continue to cover the embarkations. There was con- enemy tinned activity, at several points on the Somme front and thore were no important incidents on the rest of the front. "
Government's. Plans For War
On Food Front Outlined By
Mr. R. Hudson
On the afternoon of May 31 our bombers continued their heavy attacks in the north against enemy troop concen- trations and columna, despite the activity of snemy fighters. Considerable recorinaissances. were carried out on the Mease, " the Moselle and the Rhine.
Several Bombs
Dropped On Marseilles
Special to H.K. Daily Press FARIS. June 2 Havas)-Several cities
south-eastern France
LIT
ኑ
were tombed.
The greatest discretion · b maintained but it is under- stood several bombs
dropped on Marseilles. Five German brought down.
plane;
were
On the afternoon of June 1, an enemy air formation was in tercepted by our fighter aircraft in German planes are carrying out the Rhine Valley. We brought long reconnaissance nights over
the down several machine's the number French territory. It seems LONDON, June 2 Reuter-The of which are not yet ascertained. enemy are trying to get informa Government's plans for war on
tion concerning troop movements the food front were cutlined by
and are preparing for the French Mr. R. S. Hudson, Minister for
counter-attack. Agriculture. in a broadcast today.
REGAINED LINES
PARIS, June 2 (Reuter)-Accord-.
ރ
PARIS NEXT? LONDON, June 2 Reuter)-AC-
He announced a drastic cut in Ing to French military circles the imported feeding stuffs for an-British and French troops cut off mals as a result of the necessity from the main body withdrawing.
Reme radio; - for using shipping more and more towards Dunkirk have succeeded in cording to the
Berlin Indicates for
The Formation from munitions. He said that regaining the Allied lines,
move will almost priority would be given to fodder number of these troops is unknown. Hitler's next
"HOPEFUL AUGURY” for cattle and sheep but supplies
certainly be directed, not against for pigs and poultry would be WELLINGTON, June 2 (Reuter) Britain but against Paris. The limited so that pig and poultry The Prime Minister, Mr. P. Fraser announcer added that the Flan- farmers, who were dependent on has sent Mr. Churchill congratuladera battle had rightly been" de- purchased feeding stuffs, should tons on the wonderful achieve scribed as the greatest in history. begin immediately gradually to ment" in the evacuation of the but the battle about to start for reduce their stocks which might | B. & F., which, he says, offers "the Paris would be even greater. have to be reduced to one-third most hopeful augury for of their present numbers by the success of the Allied arms" middle of autumn.
GERMAN CLAists Since September. British agri- A Berlin communique says; "The
the
culture had lost 70.000 men and strip of coast, which the British
to continued
The Minister of Labour was going to issue an order pro-
in hibiting employers
any other industry taking on men at present in agriculture.
GERMANS FIGHT SHÝ
OF THE ALLIES
LONDON, June 2 (Reuter)—The we must stop others leaving and yesterday
defend New York Times after referring get these men back.
tenaciously, was further reduced to German avoidance of air com- from the east by hard fighting." bat with British planes, sars:
"It may be that the Alles have It claims the Germans have taken Nieuport and the coast north-west learned from the lessons in Nor of it, also Adinkerke, west of way that massed anti-aircraft-fre Furnes, and Ghyvelde, six miles of many warships, sent up as a The minimum wage of 48 shil-east of Dunkirk. The number of curtain barrage, is a definite de
week will be. lings
Axed for prisoners and amount of booty terrent even to determined bom- prices of considerably increased yesterday bers. agricultural "workers.
"In any case the heroic and agricultural produce will be fixed 200 guns of all calibres, for exam- and measures will be taken to in-ple. being captured from one army efficient evacuation of Dunkirk
alone, There were no special which yesterday, seerned to crease agricultural, production,
of success would seem to indicate this."
An appeal will be made for 5,000 events to report on the southern achieving a measure
for
new recruits for the Women's front. Land Army and for women seasonal work this summer.
SINO-BELGIAN BANK STILL FUNCTIONING
"The Huns Have Gone Quite
Mad," Says Sculptor
TORONTO, June 2 (Reuter)-"The Buns have "zone quite mad," declared Walter Allward, sculptor and designer of the Canadian War Memorial at Vimy Ridge, commenting on the report that the me morial had been destroyed by German bombers.
PEIPING. June 2' (Reuter)-The
Mr. Allward added: "It seems Belgian Embassy authorities here point out that Chinese reports to such a wanton. thing. The me-
Bank in Tientsin had closed its morial is in an open field and it 48,000
doors were exaggerated.
is not the heart of a village and The bank is still functioning there are
no military objectives Children
BUT PEOPLE ARE VERY CALM JERUSALEM. June 2 (Reuter Palestine preparations for all eventualities has continued rapid- the effect that the Bmö-Belgian nearby. This is a sad commen- ly, While the Police are complet normally and there has been no tary on civilisation." ing the round-up of Germans, in-run on the bank by creditors, cluding number B
of women throughout the country, steps are also being taken against the pos- sibility of Fifth Column activities and in other directions.
AGREEMENTS ARE
SUSPENDED -
on certain
OTTAWA," June 2 (Reuter)... Commenting, on the reported des-
Evacuated
be"
truction of the Canadian War LONDON, June 2 (Reuter)— Memorial in France Mr. Norman Forty-thousand- children from Rogers, Minister for Defence, said: eighteen east and south-east coast FARIS, June: 2 (Reuter)-The "If the report is correct this new towns and another 8,000 from A vigorous police hunt is now in breaking off of the Anglo-Italian act of German vandalen will only areas, within ten miles of the Buf- progress for a secret radio trans- negotiations for
contraband serve to strengthen the will to folk const, were taken in a hund- In a running fight between three Ansons of the Coastal Committer which periodically broad agreement has had an immediate victory of the Canadian people.ned trains today to Wales and the
questions. Mr. Hanson, the Conservative Midlands. mand and nine Messerschmitt fighters off the Belgian coast yester- casts extremist Jewish views and reaction
_alarmist_reports.
which have been practically Leader referred to the reported This 18 the second evacuation of day two of the enemy-planes were shot down, two disabled and the
The Germans deta aed are now settled between France and Italy, bombing ag a "dreadful outrage these children for they were eva-, rest flew away. The British aircraft returned safely.“
interned in large encampments according to authoritative French which will stir our people, and cuated from London to the areas. outalde the main cities. The circles.
surely our Government, to invin-which they left today. country, as a whole, presents to The agreements, which were to cible determination to use every the visitor a picture or striking have been signed, 'have now been ounce of our strength to defeat civilian« tranquilty with ever-in-suspended.
this enemy of civilisation." creasing appreciation of the full implications of Britain's present struggle.
in the Dunkirk area 40 enemy damaged, Thirteen" British air-
and has been detained by order of aircraft were destroyed and an- craft are missing. :- the Home Secretary.
other 3 destroyed or "severely
Many hits and fires were started last night around Nieuport and on part facilities at Ostend.
WITHDRAWAL SUPPORTED Medium bombers of the RAF BUCHAREST, June 2 (Reuter)—to travel from Edtain to any part and the Fleet Air Arm continued The Rumanian Foreign Minister, of Ireland will only be granted it to support the withdrawal opera-
SUNDAY CABLE BREVITIES
M. Gateneu, has resigned and is journey is only of national impor- tions of the B.E.F. throughout the JAPANESE
•:
day. Canal bridges, motor trans-
two
succeeded by M. Gigurtu who was tance, previously Minister of Communt-
port, railway junctions and troops CONTROL OVER cations. The reasons for M. DUBLIN, June 2 (Reuter)-Eire's have been repeatedly attacked., Gafencu's resignation
In the Narvik area on May 29 TEXT BOOKS are not, appeal for army recruits was an- stated
swered with a rush in Dublin yez- British fighters destroyed terday. In the afternoon 100 mer enemy aircraft and severely ROME, June 2 (Reuter)-Prince had volunteered and it is learned damaged two others. Umberto, accompanied by Marshal that there will be ample numbers Graziani, will inspect the annual of men available in each area for national assembly of Grenadiers local security guards. on the reserve list at Genoa and will attend a similar annual gather- BERNE, ing of the infantry at Fume on June 8, 9 and 10,
R.A.F. TAKE HEAVY TOLL OF GERMAN AIR FORCE
PROMINENT MOSLEM
LEADER LEAVES - CHUNGKING.
Fi
Mr. Ma Chen-wu, prominent leader of Chinese Moslems, who recently went to Chungking to in- terview the Central authorities, left for Lanchow by plane' on Saturday.
LONDON, 'June 2 (BW8)-The air battle over Dunkirk began again al dawn on Saturday. Soon the F. A. F. fighter patrols had shot down 14 Nasl fighters and had seriously damaged five more. All Friday this battle in the skies had ragedunceasingly, while on the sands
Mr. Ma happened to be in Pel.. below the withdrawal of the Allied troops continued. - CHUNGKING, June 2 (Central)
ping recuperating his health upon -The Japanese, are exercising Hour after hour, German bom times more than ave to one-a the outbreak of the Lakouchitac Under of squadron of Spitares during a Incident on July; 7, 1937. strict control over text books sold bers, protected by swarms TOTALLY DESTROYED
fighters, came over in an attempt single patrol yesterday shot down the strict surveillance of Japanese LONDON, June 2 (Reuter)-The in the "occupied” areas. aircraft crews believe that the
The Japanese Special Service to harass the evacuating army, a mixed bag of two Messerschmitt he was unable to leave the ancient two capital until recently, says Central petrol and oil stores at Rotterdam Section has instructed that all and hour after hour the RAF 110 twin-engined fighters,
relentless war Junkers-88 dive bombers, a Mes News. June 2 (Renter)-A are now totally destroyed. Britian
text books compiled by the bogus fighters waged a
serschmitt-109 fighter, and a Dor- Interviewed upon his departure: Swiss High Command communique aircraft this morning machine- Ministry of Education have to be against them.
nier-219 bomber.
from Chungking, Mr. Ma pledged a designated Japanese states that foreign aircraft-yester- gunned enemy searchlight positions sent to
At dusk the British fighter pilots
On a dawn patrol this morning full support to the national policy day afternoon violated Swiss ter- at Rotterdam' with good results, printing press to be printed and
had shot down 88 hombers and another Britare squadzam, in a of resistance. He said that he LONDON, June 2 (Reater) - Ktory in the Jur region. A party
sold. Successful bombing attacks were Text books printed elsewhere are fighters, of which 42 were seen to few minutes, accounted for idx would lead the Chinese Moslems With a view to reducing all forms of Swiss fighters ascended im-also made on the enemy occupied
Messerschmitt-119, fhree Messers to do what they could for the- or Willemspored of unnecessary travel from the mediately and engaged the bomber harbours
and liably to be conscated though crash into the sea..
Although the British fighterschmitt-109, and probably three country and to speed up produc- country, the Home Office announ- which was brought down. The Marsdiep in Holland and on the they may have been approved by
tion and education. ces that henceforth exit-permits bomber was a German machine. island of Terschelling.
were heavily outnumbered some more Messerschmitt-110. the bogus Ministry."
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