17 Sep 1940
Page 1
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Newspaper
Medicine Hat News
Location
Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada
Date
Sep 17, 1940
Page
1
London reports ten thousand killed or wounded in a four night attack across Britain. Churchill updates the House of Commons with 2000 deaths and 8000 injuries, noting four-fifths of casualties in London and minimal losses in British forces. He cites plans of continued resistance amid air battles with German invaders.
A westerly gale over the Channel last night scattered German invasion forces and ships. British convoys moved freely through the Channel with no German molestation reported. RAF reconnaissance noted sudden German disposition changes along the coast, seen as a sign of failed invasion hopes.
Berlin reports Nazi spokesman says long distance guns on the French coast began shelling London with range-finding shots. Britain gave no immediate comment. Nazis say the cannons are of a new type and the range is about 90 miles to London.
A tropical storm battered Nova Scotia causing widespread damage from Halifax to Annapolis Valley. Winds around 40 miles per hour felled trees, disrupted streetcars, and rain disrupted services. Apple growers reported losses up to 25 percent of the crop with total harvest around 39,000 barrels at early estimates.
C P I Alexander Siegel a German internee who escaped today from a Toronto area camp was recaptured five hours later in Burlington Ontario about 20 miles west of the camp. He rode with motorists and wore gray overalls. The University of London graduate was identified by Constable Lee J Smith who noted he lacked a national registration card and placed him in police cells.
The Wired Relief Fund reported on September 17 that it has collected 1,006,708 dollars in the United States for war relief and has sent 630,000 dollars worth of supplies abroad.
British informants arriving from London say a small German landing off the Eng iat coast last week was repelled with heavy losses. They cite coastal artillery and patrols destroying barges and say many German bodies washed ashore, though no landings were confirmed by London.
British sources report Italian motorized forces occupied Sidi Barrani about 60 miles into Egypt from Libya. The advance cost heavy losses but no large British engagement or battle occurred. The aim appears to reach Alexandria as air raid shelters and martial law tighten in Alexandria. RAF reported downing six enemy bombers and attacks near Bugibug and Malta raids caused limited damage.
The Ontario civilian protection committee met for the first time to discuss establishing air raids precautions in the province. Attorney General Gordon Conant, presiding, said the government feels the situation is so serious and uncertainties so great that every precaution in civilian defence should be taken.
Alderman Ernest Warham, head of the public works committee, accused officials of starting sidewalk work on the traffic bridge without his authorization. The meeting drifted with reports and inquiries as the council debated amid uncertainty.
Winston Churchill as a member of the British cabinet rebuked difficulty makers who spread rumors of a split in the cabinet and urged a spirit of goodwill as essential to victory over Germany in the war.
Joseph Annon of Bow Island was found guilty by the R.C.M.P. court of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated on a highway. The Criminal Code prescribes imprisonment with no fine, and Annon is serving seven days in Lethbridge jail.
London reports the House of Commons will meet at regular intervals but will not disclose the day or hour in advance. The admiralty also notes 54 547 tons of shipping destroyed by Germany in the week ending Sept 9, slightly above the 52 week wartime average. Ottawa issues 17th CASF casualty list with three deaths.
Swedish logger Oscar Erickson, famed for a 210 foot bridge plunge, is again hospitalized with a broken leg from a logging camp incident on Vancouver Island. He was rescued by a passing ferry and may miss four months of recovery after the latest injury.
Joe Fisher of Medicine Hat returns from Sarcee lighter and in good shape. The city fire department received new solid rubber tires for shoes. Slim Statnes service station on Third and Fifth is locked. Slim and Fred Gee joined the RCAP. Police register over 1500 fowling pieces in the district.
London dispatch reports a Spitfire pilot used a flaming plane to shoot down a German bomber. He then engaged multiple Dornier bombers, damaged the tail of his aircraft, and made a controlled landing in a southeast town street as German planes crashed.
Dominions Secretary Viscount Caldecote told the Lords that the Empire air training scheme is in advance of schedule. He said a flow of highly skilled pilots and air crews would soon redress the balance in the air and contribute to achieving air superiority as a decisive factor in victory.
Ottawa reports Canadians subscribed 14.1 million to a second war loan, reaching 262.3 million to date with 37.7 million still needed to hit a 300 million objective. Dealers note growing small subscriber interest as banks extend up to 80 percent loans for three months to help purchases.
London report states the first flotilla of United States destroyers will carry British names headed by Churchill as the lead ship. Other vessels will bear Caldwell Cameron Casleton Chelsea Chesterfield Clare Campbelltown, names tied to common towns and villages in both nations.
Air Minister C G Power will inspect Western Canada air training schools under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. He departs Ottawa by air Saturday for Winnipeg and other points as Western stations prepare for the second training phase producing pilots air gunners and observers. The first graduates, air observers, are now expected to finish late October rather than September.
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