17 May 1941
Page 1
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This newspaper page contains 18 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Canberra Times
Location
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Date
May 17, 1941
Page
1
President Roosevelt denounces the Vichy regime's Axis alliance and warns that such ties imperil France and its colonies, risking peace and safety in the Western Hemisphere. The Treasury orders armed Coast Guard escort for ten French vessels at eerie ports, including the Norman.
Lisbon Times correspondent ties Darlan Hitler pact to eased frontier rules between occupied and unoccupied France. Germany seeks Cameroons and movement toward Morocco, while Franco resists. Vichy signals policy aligning with Axis, censoring future messages. Daily Mail notes Britain may shift stance to avoid quarrel as German targets expand.
A naval officer bail out during a practice jump saw his parachute snag the tail of a transport plane. A small plane crew performed a midair rescue as the aircraft circled the bay twice with the man dangling about 50 feet below. Spectators watched as the perilous operation unfolded.
A raid left London landmarks gutted and burned. Clement Canas and Queen's Hall suffered severe damage while the British Museum reading rooms were lost. The Cavendish hotel, Leicester Square venue, halls of Gray's Inn, and Westminster Abbey repairs were costly, with thousands of books destroyed.
Washington reports the Senate postponed the convoy debate pending President Roosevelt's nationwide address expected in May. Senator Obey announced the delay to await the president's guidance on support for Britain.
Reports from London say Britain treats Rudolf Hess as a prisoner of war and Nazi criminal. Hess, in a Scottish hospital, is disrobed of his uniform but retains personal belongings as ministers voice distrust about his mission. Controversy surrounds his past actions and the purpose of his flight.
Petain defends the collaboration pact with Germany amid European power shifts. The statement reiterates state aims and frames the accord as securing France's stability during a tense diplomatic period.
In Ankara the German Ambassador Captain Von Papen presented a friendly letter from Hitler to President Inouns, signaling cordial relations between Germany and Turkey.
Berlin releases a communique noting RAF formations over north Germany caused damage in several towns. One group attempted to strike Berlin but dispersed under ground defences. only a few penetrated the barrage and were driven off after one attack.
A Tokyo press report discussed possible break down of Batavia parlay and its decisive effect on East Asia Co-Pros parity. It urged the Netherlands to reconsider stance and cooperate with Japan to push the conference toward an amiable conclusion amid the significance of a breakdown.
British forces press an offensive in North Africa amid extreme heat around Tobruk and Sollum. South Africans report captures at Amia Abeglba and surrounding positions, taking 24 Italian officers and 3,765 Italian troops plus 32 colonial troops. Tobruk defences suffer tank ambush tactics and Molotov cocktail use by infantry. Benghazi raids target railway and military HQ.
Reports from Cairo claim Rashid Axis propagandists have reached Iraq with German planes crossing Syria numbered around 30. Unconfirmed routings in Jerusalem and Turkey mention 120 German bombers at Mesopotamian bases, with seven German supply ships in the Aegean. British raids target Amara and Syrian air bases as French troops remain pro British.
Cairo dispatch says British troops repelled near Sollum and Fort Capuzzo with serious enemy casualties and several prisoners taken. German communiqué states British forces threaten Fort Capuzzo Sollum with some contingents entering Sollum. Crown of Croatia restored announced in Rome.
The War Office states 437,000 British troops went to France last June and about 384,000 including wounded have returned. Forty thousand remain prisoners in France. Troops sent to Norway totaled 23,8. about 22, returned while some remained prisoners. Implication suggests 13,000 killed in France and 250 in Norway.
In Chicago a luncheon honoring Mr. Menzies featured a speech on national values. He argued that global pride rests on beliefs and stances rather than material wealth, and urged Australians to devote all resources to winning the war to secure future freedom.
The Secretary for State Cordell Hull announced in Washington that efforts to secure world mastery by force will fail, citing past collapses and predicting hardship. He invoked the British peoples dedication to life liberty and the pursuit of happiness as part of the message.
Air Ministry confirms a high level attack on an enemy convoy with three supply ships of about 5000, 4000 and 2000 tons bombed and left burning. A fuse was shot down shortly after and one Allied aircraft is missing. RAF aircraft conducted offensive sweeps over the Channel and Northern France, machine gunning several enemy aircraft on the ground and downing one.
The National Foundation of Infantile Paralysis announced that Dr Albert proposes a theory that poliomyelitis invades the human body through the mouth not the nose. The finding opens new research directions and Dr Sabin notes infantile paralysis often follows heavy exercise or swimming, transforming milder cases within 24 hours.
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