20 May 1940
Page 1
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Newspaper
Canberra Times
Location
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Date
May 20, 1940
Page
1
A garbled OCR note hints at a confrontation or vote outcome with names such as Mr G and references to winners and pains. The text is incomplete with several ineligible words and broken phrases, leaving the central event and participants unclear.
Paris reports the war’s seriousness remains, with German progress slackened. Maginot Line claims are denied, Montmedy end point noted. In the west the bulge widens south of the Meuse as German forces push toward the Oise near Guise.
Allied and French forces report continued heavy fighting on the Meuse front with German armor and infantry under strong resistance. German tanks and armored columns push west of Brussels, while French units reinforce and counter with 75mm guns and 78s. Prisoners and materiel captured in Holland and on the Sambre.
London dispatch reports Brussels and Antwerp as fallen to German forces. Brussels surrendered without a fight after battles near Malines and Louvain while Antwerp defenses were breached and the town looted by German troops. British Belgian retreat proceeded in good order amid high morale and unclear Belgian command changes.
Order of the Day from General Gamelin declares grave hours for France and allies. It stresses that the fate of the country and the world hinges on the ongoing battle. British authorities cite a grave situation with German pace and penetration along the Maginot Line, while RAF morale remains high amid heavy air bombing.
A series of eleven earthquakes struck across New York and western territories including South Eastern California and Arizona. At least five people were killed and many injured as communications and property suffered extensive damage. Imperial Nebraska reported ruin.
London reports describe eight Heinkel bombers devastating a Belgian village within minutes. Refugees marching toward France were caught in the blast as hundreds of civilians were killed and towns burned in the aerial onslaught along frontier roads.
The report notes parachute troops in Holland varied in age from 19 to 50 and tended to surrender when tackled. It warns Germans infil trate refugees as fifth column agents spreading rumours causing unrest.
The Federal A.L.P. conference is scheduled for June 18 to consider revising party policy in response to wartime changes.
Shanghai reports say no real peace prospect yet but conferences with Japanese emissaries discuss a year long truce and limited recognition of Wang Ching Wei while Japan may offer a full withdrawal from Central and North China except Shanghai and Taungtao. European forces in Central and North China agree to maintain peaceful status quo if Europe expands.
Reported German strategy relies on fifth columnists and parachutists dropped into Belgium and France. Civilians in France face strict orders, with authorities curbing movement to thwart enemy agents using radio to disrupt Allied troop movements.
Allied front in France near Sedan endures heavy bombardment and eight days of hard fighting. British troops, weary but stubborn, hold the line with Germany pressing a decisive push while political leaders urge calm and resolve.
Royal Air Force launches large scale raids across Western Germany Belgium and France hitting rail depots storage tanks and military targets. Hamburg depots attacked nine Hurricanes claim victories over enemy aircraft as spares and communications lines suffer. Several aircraft reported missing and operations continue over the Low Countries and coastal patrols.
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