09 Aug 1940
Page 1
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Newspaper
Canberra Times
Location
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Date
Aug 09, 1940
Page
1
Unclear readable fragments describe a vague event with no identifiable persons places or dates. The text appears corrupted and cannot establish a concrete incident or outcome for a proper headline and summary.
British Somaliland towns Zeila Hargeisa and Oadweina fall to Italian forces as Cairo reports verify Italian advances. The battle spreads along the coast with tanks and aircraft in use and British defenses planned around Berbera.
Alan Moorehead reports a major dawn air battle over Massawa as British bombers hit Italian ships at the key Red Sea base. The action damaged docks and submarines with no British losses, while Italian air activity in Abyssinia continues as new British bombs arrive on the front.
London authorities warn famine in Germany and occupied areas could arise if grain reserves fail to reach distribution. Germany holds about 10 million tons with milk and dried dairy supplies also available. rail and canal use for military may deepen shortages. In Washington, Sumner Welles says the State Department seeks the full text of former Ambassador Gu-hady remarks on Belgian starvation.
A Romanian police force kidnapped a messenger from the British Legation in Bucharest and threatened to shoot him unless he provided a daily visitor list. The Legation demands an inquiry while Romanian officials doubt the report’s veracity.
The Berlin wireless reports a purge in the Romanian government with three ministers expelled from the Ministry. M. Budivteanu is cited as Minister for Culture, M. Noveanu as Minister for Inventorien, and BL Bideanu as Under Secretary.
Churchill and General de Gaulle exchange messages on a memorandum between the British Government and Free French forces. The plan aims to restore France’s independence and outlines conditions of service for French troops. French warships remain French property with both nations arranging commissions and British control of others.
A large Labour meeting endorsed suspending the State Executive and urged unions to back the Federal Executive decision. The assembly pledged all Labour resources to the party in the coming elections, with Curtin expressing strong satisfaction at the support.
Berlin reports decrees placing Alsace Lorraine and Luxembourg under civil administration, to act on direct orders from the Governor of Austria. Robert Wagner is named Gauleiter of Alsace while Gustave Simon is named Gauleiter of Lorraine.
British liner Accra was torpedoed and sunk off the west coast of Eire on July 26 during a convoy attack. Over 4,500 survivors were landed in northwest England. 19 missing after a lifeboat overturned. Also announced: mine-sweeper River Clyde sunk after hitting a mine.
The British Purchasing Mission plans to spend hundreds of millions in the United States for tanks and artillery, with Mr Purvis guiding the new programme shaped for future needs. Admiral Evans added to advise on naval construction and use. Colonel Knox said selling destroyers to Britain rests with Congress.
The First Lord of the Admiralty asserts Britain and Allied forces form the only organized bulwark against a Nazi European state. He praises defenses and measures protecting the British Commonwealth, cites Mediterranean challenges, and notes RAF success against Italian bases in East Africa and Libya with recent air operations against Cagliari.
The Ministry for Shipping announced that over 9,000,000 dead weight tons of vessels of 500 tons and over are under British Empire control. The total includes 500,000 tons of Norwegian shipping and about 3,000,000 tons of Dutch. Belgian and Polish governments in London control 500,040 tons. Britain has seized nearly 500,000 tons of Danish shipping and requisitioned 500,000 for French. An additional 1,250,000 tons of neutral shipping is on time charter to Britain and is free to engage in trade except contraband with the enemy.
A Japanese source reports tougher negotiations with French Indo-China authorities, signaling a harder line that could raise friction. The Chinese press says Vichy France told General Chiang Kai-shek that Paris will resist any Japanese military move in Indo-China.
The report says Spain is on the verge of battle against Britain with the public adopting a belligerent stance despite official policy. The phrase Arriba is cited as reflecting heightened tensions and mobilization mood.
In London on a Wednesday, stage and screen comedian Jack Hulbert is announced as a special constable. The report covers other brief items including scouts secession, munitions production at Geelong, and naval and Air Force updates from Australia and London.
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