17 Aug 1940
Page 1
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Newspaper
Port Pirie Recorder
Location
Port Pirie, South Australia, Australia
Date
Aug 17, 1940
Page
1
Somali land forces face critical retreat as French oil refineries burn after air force attack. Reports describe chaos in Mogadishu streets and raids with civilians injured. German bombers miss Kaswork, crowds witness near disasters, and evacuation efforts proceed amid hostile fire.
In air raids on Thursday Italians used over 1 000 planes. Germans lost 169 aircraft and 35 defenders were shot down. In Somaliland British forces face a critical position with a potential retreat to Berbera. Vigarsiin abandoned to Italian force. Croydon Aerodrome bombed causing civilian deaths and property damage. British planes destroyed three German oil refineries in France. Another raid targeted Italian cities. Some German internees at Port Elizabeth reportedly escaped. Bad weather limited German air activity yesterday.
Australian Associated Press reports a massive RAF air battle with over 1,000 German bombers and fighters attacking a 500 mile front from Plymouth to the Tyne. The Air Ministry tallies 144 German planes destroyed, with 130 shot down by fighters, 11 by anti aircraft, two by soldiers, and one by a Lewis gun unit. Casualties include several Heinkel losses near Croydon and multiple aircraft brought down in the eastern district, with heavy air activity and sightings across southern England.
London reports state that no German air activity occurred over England this morning due to poor weather. Authorities confirm 169 German planes were shot down on Thursday while British losses reached 35 aircraft, 17 of which were shot down during the raids.
A cautious British report says the situation in Saeaaliland is critical and a retreat to Berbera may be necessary. Reinforcements are limited by other commitments as operations continue in progress.
Fragmented OCR depicts a chaotic scene with multiple refineries ablaze and unseen forces at play. Disjointed phrases reference conflicts, siege, and spectral warfare, suggesting a volatile atmosphere as authorities and factions clash. The garbled text hints at disasters and strategic moves but remains unclear on concrete actors or dates.
British gunners repelled a Mali force in Tugargan as three battalions pressed the line. Somali forces yielded after heavy casualties and a fierce close range exchange, the defense keeping the position until all British artillery was silenced.
Reports say the Greek cruiser Melle was sunk by an unknown submarine amid escalating Italo-Greek tensions. Athens and coastal areas tighten security as naval patrols and port restrictions spread, with Greeks fearing further attacks and international repercussions.
Fragmented notes describe renewed disputes over an air training program labeled accelerated, with references to ministry figures and regional authorities. The fragmented text hints at government action, budget or seat concerns, and possible schedule tensions affecting the training initiative.
Yesterday’s high reached 64.3 degrees while the 24 hour minimum ending at 6 pm was 39.6 degrees. A brief meteorological note records the day’s temperature range for local observers.
Wheat and silver wheat appear in the text with numbers 421 and 111g. The readable phrases suggest a wager or odds context, though the fragmentary OCR yields no clear names, places, or events to anchor a full summary.
Cabinet members in Canberra discuss dissolving Parliament by next week and plan to complete arrangements by Monday with another Cabinet meeting after the Canberra session. The move aims to trigger federal election planning and potential dissolution of Parliament in the near term.
The Japanese Ministry of Justice states Melville Cox, Far Eastern manager of Reuters, killed himself on July 29 after arrest. Evidence suggests intentional leap from a window after being restrained, with post leap injections cited as a possible factor. Documentation mentioned espionage suspicions tied to papers listing Japanese forces and movements.
A brief report describes a fatal incident on Kain s Hill with references to hospital care and involved parties. The fragmentary text mentions authorities and potential witnesses, noting a hospital visit and ongoing inquiries. Further details remain unclear due to damaged OCR text.
Mr AU Babburke of Bengury nears recovery at Pirie Hospital while visitors from Royal Exchange Hotel prepare to return to the city. Pte. Waterman of Ovum Theatres Limited, brother of an ex manager, was seen in Pirie yesterday. Local residents announce upcoming enlistments in the RAAF and ongoing hospital admissions for several residents including Mr D. Whelan and Mr A H Gruhai. Airmail passengers and staff from the Whyalla to Pirie route are listed for recent Adelaide-Whyalla service.
Adelaide police court heard plans by an Adelside firm to publish a pictorial and biographical record of men who enlisted in the ALP. Details show canvassing for subscriptions, payments to Walker and Storer, and police involvement with Crown Law in charge.
Mrs Mary Anne Jamieson, aged 61, long served Pirie as a registered midwife and maternity nurse aiding thousands of births. Born 1879 in Port Adelaide, she moved to Pirie at 16, married in 1899, and became a foundational figure in local women’s groups, labor committees, and charity work. Her funeral drew wide attendance with tributes from family and friends across Australia.
Robert Ross, 1835 lottery winner with £15008 share, is jailed at Long Bay for contempt after failing to pay costs and £500 damages in a divorce suit where he was co respondent. He fled after a writ in November, was recaptured at Balmain in August, and faces a writ of attachment for nonpayment. The affidavit notes his planned appearance at Paddington Police Court on a contempt charge.
The latest Red Cross appeal shows updated donations at Pirie with prior acknowledgments totaling £1,546 and new contributions from Baker and others bringing the running total to date.
St John Ambulance Brigade res cue for today lists football at Memorial Park with Amboff Harrison Hunter Zubrinich Nayda and others, plus Julliop football at Parklands with Springall Causing and Griihs, lacrosse at Plex with Bambridge Grihhs, and hockey at Leonard Oval led by Duty and Chesson.
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