The convoy travelled another 130 miles today 6 July 1940 in "moderate seas". The 157th HAA Battery had tea served at 17.45 hours that day and sat down to a summary of the days news as shown below. Of particular interest is the mention of Hitler's triumphant return to Berlin to celebrate the fall of France; a hint of Roman triumphs held in Rome two centuries before?
PRECIS OF ENGLISH
NEWS BROADCAST 6th JULY, 1940.
The
official French and German News Agency to-day announced the loss of two more
French Warships. One warship was sunk off the Isle of Crete. This warship was
on way back to French
Port when met by a British
ship. She refused surrender, and was sunk after a two hour battle. The second
is a 2000 ton escort vessel, which was torpedoed by an unknown submarine
outside Algiers.
There is
surprise in London at the reports from Washington that the Isle
of Martinique is being blockaded by the Royal Navy. It is announced that the
Royal Navy's idea was to prevent a consignment of aircraft purchased by France from
falling into enemy hands.
There is no
news in London from the French Embassy about the
decision of the Petain Government to break off diplomatic negotiations with Great Britain.
The British view is that the Petain Government is now nothing but a tool of the
Nazi Government in Berlin.
This is also the view in America.
Free France
continues to organise. General De Gaulle to-day visited 700 French men who have
arrived in London
to form a legion. General De Gaulle was told many stories of the hazardous
journies which many of them had undertaken in order to get to this country.
Another
German bomber was shot down this afternoon off the N.E. Coast of Scotland. It
was shot down by R.A.F. fighters into the sea. This is the second brought down
to-day. This morning enemy planes dropped bombs on a town on the S.E. Coast.
Damage was done to some houses, but only slight casualties. One bomber was shot
down. In raids on Britain
last night, two German bombers were shot down. No important damage was done.
Our fighter climbed to the attack, and hit one of the bombers broadside. The
second was shot down into the sea. Germany
has now lost 36 aircraft since they started raiding Britain three weeks ago.
From Cairo comes news of three
successful raids on enemy territory without loss to ourselves. An attack was
made on a motorised column, a petrol store was set on fire, and much damage was
done. Bombs were dropped on a building believed to be a barracks. Fires were
started.
Four raids
carried out yesterday on Gibraltar by single
aircraft. Bombs were dropped, but no damage was done. Another warning was
received to-day, but no planes were seen.
Hitler
to-day returned to Berlin, and made another
triumphal drive through streets this time to celebrate the downfall of France. The
place was a sea of flags. The usual order was issued by Goebbels that bouquets
intended for Fuehrer must not be thrown at him, but, laid on the side of the
road, where they would be collected by German Storm troopers. He drove from the
Station in an open car to the Chancellery, where he appeared on the balcony for
a short time but did not make a speech.
In London there is great satisfaction at the announcement
that since the beginning of the war India has supplied us with 750,000
rounds of Small Arms Ammunition, 200,000 shells, 10,000 sets of webbing
equipment, 600,000 blankets, 150,000 pairs of boots, as well as large
quantities of khaki drill, etc.
To Sheet 2
- 2-
Plans are
being considered for sending out to India
and Burma
children whose parents normally live there, and who wish their children to join
them.
England has
agreed to buy the whole of S.Rhodesia's surplus maize crop.
The
fortress of Britain was
to-day strengthened by the arrival of Heavy Artillery from Newfoundland. The men were given a very warm
welcome as they stepped ashore.
Further
details of the bombing of the "Scharnhorst" have just been made
known, by a gunner of the R.A.F. who took part in the bombing. Amongst his
remarks were the following :-
"We
crossed over on a very clear night last week. The reflection of the sea could
be seen about 60 miles away as we flew over enemy territory. As we flew over
enemy territory we encountered A.A. fire and searchlights, but these were
ignored. We flew over the target before delivering our attack on the
"Scharnhorst". She was so plainly marked that we couldn't miss her.
Just at that moment we saw A.A. open up on another of our aircraft. At this
time we were flying fairly high. When in position I gave the Captain the word.
Shutting off the engines we dived to the attack. I directed my line of sight on
the floating dock, and gave necessary corrections to Captain. The searchlights
got on us as we dived, but we went under their beam. The Scharnhorst could not
be missed, she stood out so plainly. I could clearly see traces of pom-pom from
the deck of the Scharnhorst. When we were dead in line I released my stick of
bombs. Immediately flames came from the ships deck, and swept right across her.
We circled for height, and as we turned for home we could see fires breaking
out all along the dockside as our comrades swooped to the attack behind us. As
we were returning, the fires could plainly be seen 85 miles away. As the result
of these attacks, I am certain that the Scharnhorst will be unserviceable for
several months to come".
PRINTED AND PUBLISHED
BY COURTESY OF THE MASTER
S.S.
CITY OF CAIRO, AND COMMANDING OFFICER,
53rd H.A.A REGIMENT.
R.A. FOR INFORMATION
OF TROOPS AND
PASSENGERS.
-----oOo-----
P L E A S E P A SS ON.
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