20 Aug 1940
Page 1
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Newspaper
Canberra Times
Location
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Date
Aug 20, 1940
Page
1
Mary and Andy headline a national event at the Ocean Meet with standout performances. Netti assists finish strong as Heal contributes to the team’s overall pace and score.
British defense reports describe German bomber formations over the Channel engaging RAF fighters and anti-aircraft units from the southeast to Kent. London and coastal towns endured raids with significant damage to a golf course, a railway station, and civilian shelters, while British forces claimed multiple German losses and shot down several aircraft.
Roosevelt and Mackenzie King announced a permanent joint defence board to study sea land and air problems for the northern half of the Western Hemisphere. The board will include four or five members from each country drawn largely from the Services.
Seaplanes and ships in Boulogne harbour were attacked by Coastal Command Fairey Battle aircraft. Oil plants munition factories aircraft stores and railways in Germany were bombed. Attacks covered 26 aerodromes in northwest Europe. All aircraft returned. Blenheim fighters escorted the operation.
London reports that the Air Ministry rejects an agency claim that the RAF attacked German troop concentrations on beaches between Boulogne and Calais. The Times recalls a first edition note of RAF bombing disorganising five divisions, while Basel dispatches note direct hits on a major German aluminium works near Rheinfelden. The German High Command says British raids caused negligible damage over western and southern Germany.
Italian bases in Cuneo and Turin were attacked last night in the raid reported from Rome. Military action followed overnight developments with no immediate word on casualties or outcomes.
An early morning raid dropped bombs on east coastal towns and set tleoned others before the attackers fled to sea pursued by British fighters. A man and his wife were buried in debris and later rescued after an hour. British records show 147 planes and 33 balloons shot down. German losses were machines only.
Mr Herbert Morrison pledges a future global offensive once time comes. He cites Britain’s perilous position three months earlier and credits planned production and weapon supplies to the Army for immediate tasks. Morrison says the ground plan for fit production supports an offensive strategy.
The Times diplomatic correspondent reports German wartime propaganda aimed at swaying Japan and Spain while American readers saw distorted London attack reports due to British censorship delays. The Daily Telegraph notes a nine hour Air Ministry hold up delaying the British version to America, causing American papers to print a distorted account of August 16 attacks on London suburbs.
A Reuters correspondent reports British warships bombarded Libyan targets including Fort Capuzzo and a native troop compound. Italian fortifications at Ramla were believed destroyed. The 30 minute bombardment preceded an aerial defense by RAF and ongoing operations near Bardia as Libyan coast defenses were silenced.
Berlin radio reports Germany frees all Polish prisoners of war. About 90 percent choose agricultural labor in Germany with the rest employed in trade and industry.
A reader note hints at a special arrangement with Beaters World for information access. The message mentions a toma Se ag but lacks clear details.
The United States formally notes Germany to ensure the transport American Legion with 897 refugees sailing from Petsamo will face no molestation. The note outlines negotiations and states Germany has received sufficient advance notice of the ship’s sailing and course. The American Charge d Affaires will inform Berlin that no action by German forces is expected.
In Philadelphia on Sunday former Ambassador Bullitt warned the United States stands in peril of a Nazi attack as grave as France's, urging conscription and destroyer transfers to Britain while noting France's aircraft shortfall and Communist spies.
A Royal Navy report praises the Portuguese destroyer Dao for rescuing 30 missing crewmen from the British Fame after it was torpedoed off The Azores on August 12. Fifteen men in a lifeboat reached port, one crewman died, and the captain was reportedly taken prisoner by a U boat.
Pilot Officer W L M Fiske becomes the first American to die serving with the RAF. He succumbed to wounds received in action this past Saturday during combat operations over the theater.
Swiss air raid alarms sounded in Basle Berne Zurich and Geneva as anti aircraft batteries activated at 11 15 with all clear given later. Authorities believed Britain’s air activity caused the alerts along the Jura mountains.
Scrambled dispatches describe Japan pressuring Shanghai defence while Nanking objects. Tokyo seeks influence through Nanking as representative in stalled talks. Unclear figures mention 30 to 40 French and Madagascar. note growing Southward moves toward Indo China and a cautious powers stance.
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