14 Jun 1940
Page 1
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
This newspaper page contains 10 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Canberra Times
Location
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Date
Jun 14, 1940
Page
1
French counterattacks push five miles toward Paris as German divisions reportedly reach 120. Reinforcements take positions on the Seine front while air raids strike East Paris and Frankfurt. The British and French bombed Mandheim and Nijmegen as Paris faces encirclement threats.
Allied air forces pressed a sweeping bombing campaign across France and Germany. Attacks targeted rail hubs, ammunition dumps, and mechanized columns near Rouen and Les Andelys, with fighters over France destroying several enemy aircraft. Spitfires claimed at least one Heinkel over the English Channel while bombers suffered engine damage but returned safely.
Destructive battles surge from the north toward Paris with German forces advancing through burning towns and forests. Fires blanket the city center and surrounding villages as casualties mount in a grim, smoke-filled panorama.
RAF planes attacked Tobruk at dawn causing Italian warship fires and damaging air bases in Lyhina and East Africa. One Italian plane was shot down, another seen in flames, while British pilots returned with damages. Reports claim extensive Mediterranean bombing and a British prisoner escape, with Italy's strength questioned by a Daily Mail critique.
Rome reports Italy has severed diplomatic relations with the prewar Belgian Dutch Norwegian and Polish governments. Their diplomats are summoned and issued passports while domestic transport arrangements are offered. No declaration of war is given. Ambassadors from Poland Norway Netherlands and Belgium depart in coming days.
London report says Allied warships have blocked the Suez Canal cutting Italy from its East African Empire. Admiral Raeder is said to direct Italian naval operations. Eight Italian submarines may operate in the Red Sea. Few Italian ships remain east of Suez as most forces concentrate in the Mediterranean.
A Paris report cites M Reynaud relaying a June 10 message to President Roosevelt. He pledges fighting in Paris and provinces, north Africa, and even America if needed, seeking broader Allied aid and an expeditionary force. The message accompanies warnings of a new frontier and looming naval battle amid French political upheaval.
Cairo reports the prime minister warned in parliament that Egypt will declare war if Italy bombs Egyptian ports and towns. Egypt forms a 1,000 reservists force plus 6,000 volunteers to counter parachutists and fifth column. Government orders requisitioning of ships and seizes Italian vessels amid raids.
London reports the British division on the Normandy north coast suffered communications cut by German forces and many were surrounded. Evacuations failed partly, with up to 6000 feared captured at St Valerie en Caux amid heavy fog and cliffside beaches. Berlin says Allies pushed to Channel coast and surrounded. German bulletin claims 20000 prisoners including a French corps commander and British and French divisional commanders.
A World War II report from Paria alleges German troops used dead bodies to shore up light pontoon bridges while advancing. It claims German machine guns fired massive volumes and a London battalion alone discharged 284000 rounds. A News Chronicle correspondent describes a fog weapon causing heavy visibility loss on French battlefields.
We want people to find what they are looking for at NewspaperArchive. We are confident that we have the newspapers that will increase the value of your family history or other historical research. With our 7-day free trial, you can view the documents you find for free.
People find the most success using advanced search. Try plugging in keywords, names, dates, and locations, and get matched with results from the entire collection of newspapers at NewspaperArchive!
You can also successfully find newspapers by these browse options. Explore our archives on your own!
Browse by location and discover newspapers from all across the world.
Browse by date and find publications for a specific day or era.
Browse old newspaper publications to find specific newspapers.