18 May 1940
Page 1
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Newspaper
Canberra Times
Location
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Date
May 18, 1940
Page
1
Fragmentary OCR mentions sports links and a rugby service, plus parliamentary style notes. It remains unclear with garbled dates and names. The readable bits show no clear event, outcome, or identifiable entities to summarize into a concise card.
Reports from Belgium say the siege worsens with confidence in allied forces. French leaders deem the overall situation better than midweek while Meuse and Sambre fighting rages near Rethel and Sedan. Berlin claims Maginot Line pierced near Maubert Carigny and Namur fort captured with 12 000 prisoners.
French leaders report German motorised columns penetrating from the Sedan sector but French forces repelling assaults at Liefran Wilhin iy we Meghores Montivedy and Longwy. Air raids by the Royal Air Force, heavy German losses, and Allied tank superiority noted as battles continue.
German forces pour fresh units from Zeeland to Luxembourg with costly sorties along the Maginot Line area and on the Meuse front. In Belgium, fighting centers near Gembloux and Dinant, as British and Belgian troops defend Louvain and the Dyle corridor amid heavy bombardment and aerial attacks.
London dispatch recounts ruthless German bombing across Belgian towns and northern France, with refugees and civilians among the worst sufferers. It notes ambulances hit and villages wrecked, captures of several crew members, and growing refugee arrivals crowding stations as the war worsens.
Geneva reports the League of Nations begins shutting operations with 69 of 329 staffers to transfer to Vichy if Switzerland is invaded. Secretary General Joseph Avenol announced a suspension of contracts option for 705 officials, amid a site of emergency and long-serving staff members in tears.
RAF conducted large scale night raids on German military targets with Whitley Wellington and Hampden bombers. Cologne reports suggest air attacks caused casualties and damage while German defences engaged fighters and searchlights.
The Times Simla correspondent reports a rising call for political unity in India as Germany invades the Low Countries. Emphasis centers on naval and land preparedness and a seek for a settlement to align India with Allied effort. Moderate voices push to restrain bolder demands.
Berlin reports a new U boat offensive against England as submarines have moved from Belgian and Dutch coasts to target Britain. The declaration emphasizes renewed submarine activity in the North Sea.
Switzerland tightens frontier from Basle to Lake Constance amid German invasion fears. German aerial activity increases Swiss anti aircraft fire halts a bomber near Zurich and two more bombers are repelled. Rome Berlin express diverted north of Schaffhausen. American Consulate warns nationals to prepare to leave if war expands.
A report asserts French long range guns shelled Rastatt an undefended town with no military objective. It also states Germans fired at Haguenau in retaliation.
President Roosevelt urged Congress to approve a £296,000,000 emergency defence package as war clouds grow. The plan includes £65,500,000 for mobilization and training, £20,000,000 for heavy bombers, and £25,000,000 for a President's fund, with 750,000 ready for combat within days of war.
In a New York address Roosevelt warns of vulnerable American shores from Greenland to Bermuda and Alaska to the Pacific coast. He urges immediate armament expansion, 50 000 annual planes, and full mobilization of industry with no delay in deliveries to allied nations.
A Norwegian communique says German forces have been driven into the mountains east of Bjervik after intense Narvik fighting. Reports say the Germans may quit Narvik, having destroyed rail tunnels bridges and the Narvik ore quay. Allies took Elvegaard and Oyjord ferry near Narvik on Monday. Swedish frontier violations by Allied planes are alleged due to snow visibility.
Reuters reports Rome views current alarm as lasting. Italian papers mock Allied campaigns and mock Maginot Line as myth. Queen Wilhelmina derided on the Thames bank. Vatican and foreign allies blamed for Italian policy. A Polish woman questioned by police over purchasing a copy. News vendors fear selling Oscervatore Romano.
The Yugoslav cabinet reviews general mobilization amid rising regional tension. Yugoslav army strength reaches 700 000 with daily reserve calls. Greece denies Albanian incursions. British ships and several lighters are withdrawn from the Danube to the Black Sea.
The Egyptian Government canceled plans to move government departments from Cairo for the summer due to fear of possible spread. Allied Fleet units returned to Alexandria after maneuvers as Tutankhamen's gold coffin and other treasures were removed from the Cairo Museum under precautionary measures.
Authorities appeal to households in Ease and surrounding counties to provide lodging for Nazi terror refugees fleeing invasion and German occupation in Europe.
Informed sources claim that petrol supplies were delayed and fell short during invasion operations in Berlin. The report notes supply lags far exceeding the quarter estimates, impacting the advance and logistics.
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