19 Aug 1940
Page 1
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Newspaper
Canberra Times
Location
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Date
Aug 19, 1940
Page
1
War office silence. Cairo and Cairo front reports Italian advances and British setbacks in Somaliland. Italian communiques boast victories at Gerago Pass and Capuzzo, while RAF and Mediterranean fleet actions claim mixed results and air attacks on Berbera and Tobruk harbor.
Prime Minister Menzies announces Sir John Latham Chief Justice will be Australia’s first minister to Japan. This move aims to deepen Pacific relations and reflect a shift in Australia’s diplomatic role. cabinet may consider acting Chief Justice appointment and law changes.
The Japanese Consul General Mir Akiyama welcomed Sir John Latham as Minister Plenipotentiary Envoy Extraordinary noting the appointment will greatly strengthen Australia Japan relations. He said Japan will send a minister to Australia soon and invite an Australian press delegation to visit. He noted ministers earlier traveled to Canada in 1928 and Pretoria in 1937.
The Middle East Command states heating continues in Somaliland with no disclosure of the main Italian force position. Some Italian leaders near Berbera are said to be within 35 miles as Somali troops suffer heavy casualties yet hold reserve positions amid artillery and air attacks. British troops report constant enemy pressure while holding reserve positions and defending key provinces.
Italy apologizes to Greece for the bombing of Greek destroyers and seeks notification of Greek ship movements to prevent misunderstandings. Greece calls up reservists. Italian attackers identified by captains as Italian. The Helle was sunk near Tinos. Britain denied near involvement. Greek leaders rally to Metaxas as Axis influence presses.
In Hanoi the Governor M. de Caux with French government approval refused the use of naval bases in Indochina. Japan renewed its demands, raising tension as events unfold in the colony.
Berlin announced a note to neutrals excluding the United States forbidding neutrals from entering the war zone and warning of a total blockade. Germany claims it will attack all neutral ships in British waters while the British accuse Germany of wartime violations and note most neutral tonnage now serves the Allies.
RAF bomber squadrons attacked multiple German targets last night including hydrogenation near Luné, Zeiss works at Jena, factories at Augsburg, the aircraft factory at Frankfurt, Ruhr railways, and German aerodromes. Three planes failed to return. Fires were reported along the bombing trail, marking Luné’s first attack.
fragmentary text notes Soviet action in Bessarabia with Soviet forces and war materiel flowing into the region. It mentions calls to expand beyond two southern districts and pressure for control of the entire province amid wartime tensions.
The Air Ministry reported a lull with no attacks in the 12 hours from sunrise Saturday to sunset. British losses stood at 131 planes, while German losses reached 180 with seven days of raids totaling 540 aircraft. A single deliberate attack struck a south west England town at night, causing property damage but no casualties. Incendiaries hit several Welsh towns with limited damage.
British fighters chased German raiders as 500 planes attacked London and southeast England. 40 bombs struck a suburban area killing and injuring civilians including women and children. RAF shot down 75 attackers. 22 British pilots were lost but survived.
The Duke and Duchess of Windsor were welcomed by a large crowd in Nassau Sunday. The Duke received the Royal Salute and was sworn in. The oath read I, Edward, swear I will well and truly serve in Majesty, the King.
French sources report an agreement to disarm the aircraft carrier Bearn and the cruiser Emile Bertin at Martinique. The Bearn’s mechanism will be dismantled and its powder dumped.
The Easter Conference of the NSW ALP reassembled after four dissentients to back the suspended State Executive. It endorsed opposing the National Security Act, pledged to defeat the Menzies Government, and backed a National Once Board for foreign trade and war industries. It also endorsed federal election candidates and called for a democratic national volunteer army and a living wage for dependents.
Elwood Indiana reports Republican nominee Wendel Willkie pledges readiness to defend the United States and supports selective service while opposing Roosevelt's foreign policy. He warns against entangling alliances and stresses preparation for possible conflict to safeguard democracy.
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