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Newspaper
Canberra Times
Location
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Date
May 14, 1940
Page
2
Elizabeth Phillips beloved wife of James Merbert Phillips of 2 Gooreen Street Braddon. Loving mother of Eric Neville and Marie. Passed away at Canberra Hospital on May 13 1840.
A Canberra audience welcomed Rev H Harrison and his wife at the Presbyterian Hall in Braddon last night. The gathering, attended by local church members and friends, heard warm tributes from ministers and congregants, with promises of loyal support and close cooperation in Canberra’s new ministry.
The Canberra weather report records 9 am pressure 30.21 inches and 3 pm 30.11 inches, temperatures 50 at 9 am and 61 at 3 pm, with 24 hour maximum 61.0 and 61.2 degrees by 3 pm. The minimum noted 42.0 degrees on screen, and wind velocity data is incomplete for the 74 hour period at Canberra aerodrome.
Weather forecast indicates mainly fine conditions with cloud cover and a passing shower or two. Day temps moderate with cool to cold nights, mist and fog likely, and light to moderate south west winds.
A national appeal urges all Australians to unite under a virile democracy facing unprecedented peril. The Prime Minister calls for maximum effort, leveraging Parliament’s talent, including non MPs, to boost national administration and mobilize manpower across industries, signaling a broader rally across political lines.
Messrs. R. P. Preshaw and A. Krege, two Clyde shipyard experts, arrived in Sydney today. They described their mission to Australia as private and declined further comment. When asked if they came to explore building ships here, they provided no answers.
Major-General Harold Matthews Adjutant-General of the Canadian Defence Forces died today in Ottawa. Born in New Zealand he served through the Great War and was mentioned in despatches four times receiving the DSO and Belgian Croix de Guerre.
Their Excellencies the Governor General and the Lady Gowrie arrived at Government House Canberra from Sydney yesterday afternoon.
Melbourne reports the Army Headquarters announcing a new max enlistment age of 40 for the ALF, up from 35, with height reduced to five feet. The move applies to all units and aims to fill the 7th Division as Europe’s developments spur recruitment. older applicants will undergo strict medicals.
London reports seven additional ministers named by the Churchill government with Sir John Simon as Lord Chancellor and Sir Kingsley Wood as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Others include Sir John Anderson Home Secretary Lord Lloyd Colonial Secretary Sir Andrew Duncan Trade President Herbert Morrison Supply Minister and A Duff-Cooper Information Minister. The Labour groups meet at Bournemouth before the party conference to back efforts to strengthen wartime government machinery for a successful end to the war.
Three Hurricanes shot down three of eight Messerschmitts over Holland yesterday before returning to base. Blenheim bombers harried German troop concentrations in Belgium as 30 plus enemy fighters attacked. One RAF observer escaped by parachute after his plane caught fire, hanging head down until released.
Reports from Washington and Brussels describe evolving parachute warfare amid rising belligerent tensions. French Premier Reynaud warns against German parachutists in Allied uniforms, promising firm retaliation. Germany defends their troops as regulars. Belgium reports sabotage aims and a ruse using dummy bodies to mislead defenders. An unconfirmed Brussels note claims a new attack east of Liege with airborne radiators and fortress bombing.
Naval commentator argues Germany targets Britain by seizing Holland to reach the English coast within 120 miles. Objective is air and sea pressure rather than a full invasion, using Holland as a base to bombard Britain and reduce war potential while Balkans drive remains key for the Near East. Norway campaign adds risk as Allies push southward, Churchill warning that Norway could be Hitler's cardinal blunder.
Reported Allied resilience amid German land assault on Holland Belgium and Luxembourg with British troops in Holland and bases in Britain and France. Dutch recaptured Rotterdam airport. Maastricht and Liege targets tested as German forces push forward. Belgians and Dutch preparing retreats to straighten lines. significant German troop redeployments noted.
Analysis notes that German forces may sacrifice large numbers to disrupt Dutch and Belgian morale behind the lines. It questions the campaign’s current character, Hitler's destiny pronouncement, and whether future heavy offensives will follow a feint or a major push, while noting Allied preparations to counter possible surprise attacks.
From the east coast of England to the Hook of Holland is 106 miles and to Antwerp 135 miles, placing German armies well within range. Confidence grows with the reorganization of Britain’s government and the creation of a War Cabinet to streamline policy and sharpen coordination of striking power.
The article notes the infusion of two Labour MPs Allee and Greenwood under a strong leader Winston Churchill, predicting a more vigorous War Cabinet. It also describes severe German attacks in the Low Countries with major gains at Arnhem and Maastricht and German plans to push toward Rotterdam via airlifted troops to seize an aerodrome.
Major Attlee as Labour Leader urges party to take full responsibility as partner of the new Government. The motion to empower Labour passed by card vote 2 415,000 to 170,000 as Greenwood winds up the discussion. The speech asserts Labour’s role in victory and peace in wartime Britain.
Berne AP correspondent reports military observers believe a new German method captured a strong fort on the Albert Canal using a gas that induces lassitude and loss of coordination. A German announcer boasted the Maginot Line’s invincibility was challenged. Rotterdam AP says Dutch troops regained the Maas River bridge.
The Rev J H Allen preached on Christ and Communism urging unity in diversity and stressing the Church as a universal brotherhood. He warned that Christian reform must address workers and poverty while questioning can socialism or communism fit Christian ideals.
Mr A G Griffiths former Post Master at Lithgow returns to head City Post Office Canberra after serving at Latgow. He and Mrs Griffiths move to Farrar Street Braddon as Canberra grows the City Post Office gains higher grade and his appointment is announced with guests present at the cell.
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