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Newspaper
Cairns Post
Location
Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Date
Jun 17, 1940
Page
8
Allies plan a widespread offensive against German and Italian targets while French forces reorganize for a strong stand. Paris Soir cites reliable sources. Weygand attends cabinet, Reynaud to broadcast. French troops fight bravely, easing pressure with British counterattacks that push back German advances and damage tanks and armored vehicles.
London dispatch reports intense fighting as French forces, aided by reserves and material, defend Mont Medy where the mobile line meets the Maginot, while Paris contemplates crisis measures. French Cabinet met at 11 am and remains in session. Allies urged swift aid as morale stays stiff amid advancing enemy reserves.
The report notes a dire 24 hour outlook as German forces, totaling about 2,000,000 across the front from sea to Meuse, press French lines. French retreat from Pars extends the exposed eastern and western wings while German armored units and motorized divisions push westward and threaten both flanks.
A Bordeaux dispatch reports that the situation remains unchanged north and south of Paris. German forces crossed the Seine near Romilly and increased pressure on Troyes and St Omer. Advance guards moved toward Chaumont while in Alsace detachments crossed the Rhine without breaking Allied resistance.
Berlin reports a swastika flying above the Eiffel Tower while the tricolor is down. A German guard is placed at the unknown soldier’s grave and at Napoleon’s tomb. Versailles troops guard the palace. Bremen radio promises a proclamation urging Ammens to return home with assurances from the Fuehrer.
BEF correspondent reports a famous motorised cavalry unit crossing the Seine after three weeks on the Somme with heavy casualties. A colonel led light tanks over trenches to engage concealed Germans, seizing 70 enemies. French withdrawals remained orderly under fire and air raids as artillerymen and infantry pressed on for days and nights.
A captain commanding motorised anti-tank guns says his unit has been active at 20 points and covered 60 miles in three days. He notes twelve for at least 15 to 20 deeds and armored vehicles and 50 lorries and supply tenders. He adds the enemy creeps behind, forcing rapid moves and tractor hitching to escape.
A correspondent describes brutal fighting in France where German tanks and armored cars outnumber Allied forces. He notes repeated German offensives, French withdrawals north of Paris, and frontline tanks destroyed by artillery with at least 15 tanks wrecked in a single farm house ruin.
The Prime Minister Mr Winston Churchill is expected to make a statement on the war position in the House of Commons on Tuesday.
Berlin dispatch says Adolf Hitler will address an audience at Versailles on June 28, marking the twenty first anniversary of the treaty signing. The message notes the date as a significant symbolic occasion for Germany and its leaders.
Pretoria June 15 General Smuts the South African Prime Minister sent a message to the French Government praising the French people and pledging South Africa’s continued support He is officially announced as officer commanding the Union defence forces and will lead the defense effort.
In a French language broadcast addressed to the women of France, Queen Elizabeth says she shares their curses today and feels their sorrow. She recalls the joyful Paris summers when the King and Queen visited, and notes that the heart of French women beats close to hers in memory.
The piece reflects sorrow and resolve in wartime, praising French women and a nation built by endurance. It mentions a shift toward victory and mutual support among free peoples, then reports maritime war actions near Teneriffe with the French destroyer Fortunata and the Marzocco possibly scuttled, with crew reaching a British port.
The Admiralty says Myrtle and Ocean Sunlight were sunk in home waters by enemy mines. It is feared there are no survivors from Myrtle, and eight ratings from Ocean Sunlight are missing presumed lost.
London reports the cruiser Calypso AM 5, 4180 tons, was sunk by an Italian submarine in the Mediterranean. One officer and 38 ratings are missing from a complement of 437. Mr G Nicholson urged not to yield to defeatism and said the war will be won at sea, in the air, and abroad. He noted Paris may be captured but the French army is unbroken.
President Roosevelt informs French Premier Reynaud that the United States will increase material support to Allied forces while avoiding any military pledges. He praises French courage, reiterates aid including planes, artillery and munitions, and emphasizes support as long as France defends liberty.
The French radio said the cabinet will convene late this afternoon as M. Reynaud seeks to address President Roosevelt's reply to his latest appeal. The announcement signals an official statement on the ongoing communications between Paris and Washington.
The Minister for Labour Mr. E Bevin is unanimously adopted as the Labour candidate for Central Wandsworth amid expectations of an easy contest.
The fragmentary OCR notes a sudden cabinet action in France with church related references. Details are unclear but imply rapid government moves affecting churches. No names, dates, or places are readable.
The fragment notes the second meeting of the BBC with unclear details. Names, places, and outcomes are unreadable, leaving only a general reference to a scheduled or held gathering. Further readable context is needed for a precise summary.
Roosevelt rejects Hitler's claims of limited aims, stating the United States will aid Allies but remains unready for full involvement. The exchange highlights U.S. hesitancy, preparedness gaps, and U.S. intention to arm to the teeth while awaiting congressional approval. Roosevelt underscores that Germany seeks expansion, not mere defense, despite Hitler’s denials.
Australian Associated Press reports a continued push for Britons to enlist as military service registration resumes or expands during wartime. Citizens react with urgency as government urges compliance amid growing security concerns and manpower needs.
The piece cites postwar policy shifts on embargoes and defence factory expansion, plus intensified checks on aliens and fingerprinting. It notes Walter Lippmann criticizing U S unpreparedness, FBI police co-operation to curb pro Fascist sentiment, and Wilkie’s pledge to aid Allies short of war until popular demand arises.
A decipherable fragment mentions custody and protection terms in Berlin tied to a person named Ballitt or Haart. The legible parts reference a protection measure and a transfer or involvement of a Mr in a German city, with unclear punctuation and names.
RAF operations report heavy bombing along the Seine and Marne from Boulogne to Marche, hitting bridges at Les Andelys Vernon and Pont de Larche, marshalling targets near Beauvais Gournay Gisors and forested areas. Admiralty says Fleet Air Arm struck the battleship Scharnhorst in Trondheim Fiord with likely one or two hits. Losses: 1 killed and 52 wounded in Italian city attacks. six killed and 22 wounded near Savina Genoa.
Accurate navigation enabled effective bombing. One bomber dropped a line of heavy bombs on Boulogne docks while another hit the same area. Bombs struck a train and the Reims station as planes machine-gunned marching troops. A direct hit damaged the railway junction on the Chateau-Thierry road. Bridges at Soissons and Laon were attacked repeatedly. Bombers targeted oil-tanks at Dunkirk and damaged Ostend and Flushing aerodromes in low level raids.
A French morning communique reports fleet air arm formations bombing Venice region oil tanks and dropping pamphlets on Rome. Bombers hit industrial centres and rail links in Italy while ships shelled plants, with heavy bombs on the German battleship Scharnhorst in Trondheim Fiord. RAF activity continues with reconnaissance missions, raids on Italian East Africa including Assab, and Malta sustained raids.
Official dispatches describe RAY raids on southern Germany lasting about two hours after midnight with heavy explosions and fires. Bombers targeted marshalling yards at Duren and Essen, caused large fires in Duren railway warehouses, and a blast furnace hit at Essen sparked a terrific explosion. A large fire emerged in yards near Cologne, and debris was flung two thousand feet high at the Bergen ammunition dump amid spectacular blasts.
A German communique reports during the night of June 14 Allied forces conducted air raids over west and southwest Germany with bombs not achieving military aims. It records total Allied air losses of 43 planes including 13 in air combat and nine shot down by anti aircraft guns, with remaining losses unspecified.
Losses on June L1 climb by W planes to 20 and our losses rise by four planes to six. Harstal copied in Nar vik region with Mountain troops marching from Fauske on June 2, rejoining the Narvik group on June 13. Squadron Leader Balthasar shot down 20 enemy aircraft in air combat and destroyed one on the ground. Lieutenant Weber risked his life to extinguish five bomb fuses on a critical bridge, causing the bridge to fall into our hands undamaged.
Details from Urta report operations by the South African Air Force in Southern Abyssinia on June 13. Aircraft raided two sites, scoring direct hits on buildings and tracks. Anti-aircraft fire ceased after a direct hit on a large building adjoining an airfield, suggesting the gun was put out of action. One salvo struck large buildings at a second center.
June 15 report from Rome describes leaflets dropped by British planes urging Italy to surrender and warning of hunger and slavery under Italy. Italian and military bulletins claim pre-arranged Alpine front dispositions, enemy raids repulsed, and several ships and aircraft involved in bombardments, reconnaissance, and air battles across Africa and the Mediterranean.
Italian planes confronted Egypt's frontier near Solum and Solum air activity reported from Alexandria on June 15 as authorities assessed ongoing aerial clashes.
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