22 May 1940
Page 1
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Newspaper
Port Pirie Recorder
Location
Port Pirie, South Australia, Australia
Date
May 22, 1940
Page
1
The German advance slows but occupies Laon as French retire. Allied signs point to an impending offensive with French and British actions near Montmedy and along German flanks. British tanks engage German units while RAF hits Rotterdam and German lines of communication face pressure near the Maginot Line.
Allied resistance stiffens as French and British tanks harass German flanks in France, slowing a double thrust toward Paris and Calais. Laon and La Fere areas show fighting with French counterattacks. Britons join with Allied armor to challenge German columns and contain a growing front bulge.
French Premier Reynaud declared the country in danger and said German operations were ongoing while claiming U-boats and defense are undefeated. Resmaud reported Meuse bridges intact as ten French divisions faced the Belgians and Germans, with limited troops at Welginor and a focus on strategic retreats.
A war correspondent reports the BEF delaying the German advance across Belgium toward the North Sea. British troops withdraw to positions near Ath and Mons while French and Belgian forces resist in the Scheldt Valley. Allied planes bomb German lines as garrison casualties rise, and a cautious counteroffensive is anticipated with a potential northern river crossing.
Dutch, French and German forces clash as the spearhead of the German attack purportedly shifts to new formations, with winter cyclists and para chutists replacing armored columns. Front lines show bridges and stations under strain, while fears of spreading alarm persist amid inconsistent reports of German advances and French assessments of German losses.
A fragmentary report claims the German army group dissolved and German forces claim capture of Abbeville Rethel Arras and Amiens with Giraud’s staff or presence. London sources regard the assertions as mostly exaggerated and uncertain.
Public Works Committee notes that the Tariff Board’s inquiry into the Whyalla pipeline should forward its report to the Commonwealth Government this week. The process reveals slow progress and calls for possible Commonwealth support, with questions over construction pace and finance.
A Cheltenham man, Stuart Mars, was found bleeding at the scene after being committed for trial on arson and housebreaking charges. He was rushed by police to Royal Adelaide Hospital in a police ambulance. his condition was reported as not serious. A blood-stained jagged piece was seized as evidence.
Mr W A Arbon secretary of Sola Mantans Football Club is reported making favorable progress in Royal Adelaide Hospital and may return home this weekend. Archimandrite Germanos Heliou of the Greek Orthodox Church in Pirie traveled to Adelaide with two passengers on Gaines Airways air mail service. Nurse M McDonald of Pirie Hospital also aboard. Peter Brown, Pirie dance musician, admitted to Pirie Hospital for morning procedures. T Talbot enrolled in the Royal Australian Air Force and G J Goode enlisted in the Seventh Division cavalry. they were farewelled by Pirie Motor Cycle Club. Aircraftman Chewtham of the Royal Australian Air Force recruiting depot expects to leave Pirie Hospital today after a two-week stay. Messrs W Le Blight and A H Goode appeared as residing justices in Pirie Court. C Barter and Giedstone awaiting bar in Pirie Court yesterday.
Early morning fire at a sweets factory woke nearby residents as flames engulfed waxed labels cartons and sugar in the southern end. About fifty firefighters battled the blaze and confined it to the packing area while a man died en route to hospital.
Governor Whyalla and Lady Muriel Barclay Harvey toured Whyalla with a party including Sir Duncan and the Earl of Bective. They observed quarries and machinery, met local groups, and were entertained by the Returned Soldiers and Imperial League. The group later visited Whyalla Higher Primary School before departing for Port Augusta to continue to Adelaide.
Readable data shows today's high at 61.5 degrees and the 24 hour low ending at 8 30 am of 43.8 degrees, indicating a cool start and daytime warmth, with typical late spring temperatures for the period.
The search for the missing Avro aircraft, believed to have disappeared last Thursday, was resumed by 20 Royal Australian Air Force planes. They combed Victoria and New South Wales, focusing on routes from Albury to Whit Held and carrying a mission east of Holbrook. Two Lockheed Hudsons conducted a roving search over the Australian Alps.
Sydney reports sixty trains ordered to haul 20,000 tons of coal to northern fields signaling a swift move toward normal production. The decision led to the dismissal of three fan engine attendants while remaining workers at the Commonwealth rolling mills rely on sheet works output. Overall, events at three works affected 2000 to 4000 men after the coal miners strike.
Adelaide report from Tuesday recalls German morale and privations on the Weser front. W. R. Rowell, who left Germany days before war, says German cities would erode morale swiftly. An engineer, Hue, describes wartime shortages and medical issues. The couple watched thousands train near Wiesbaden as Western Front headquarters lay nearby. Meat absence lasted three weeks, Rowell weighing 108 pounds at five months.
Wheat and silver travelers describe limited German rations in hotels and apartments, with fried foods dominant, scarce butter and coffee, and banned or scarce fruits, bacon, and vitamins. Wages were low, unemployment scarce, and morale sagged as propaganda framed the war.
Mr Curtin urged decisive measures against communism arguing war cannot be won by rhetoric alone. He condemned Mr Cameron for discussing alleged Red plots without showing concrete actions and mocked Labor inactivity. He cited Moscow radio remarks as preferable to Sydney statements.
Mr F H Cullen president of the Australian Wheatgrowers Federation said a minimum second advance of a bushel was hoped for as the government realises farmers’ position. A deputation led by Cullen spoke with Minister of Commerce A G Cameron who said financing another advance was impossible at that stage. Cullen added he had heard from Country Party legislators that Cameron was trying to secure another advance.
A government minister plans a trip to Tokyo to begin in a fortnight, signaling renewed diplomatic engagement. The schedule includes meetings with Japanese officials and discussions on trade and regional security matters.
The Melbourne Practice Court dismissed the information with costs after Moyle, investor from North Melbourne, challenged a detective's conduct in questioning a suspect tied to a £4,000 gold theft last year. The Crown opposed the review order but the judge granted it before final ruling.
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