“WALTZ – IN” MATILDA, THE AUSSIES HAVE ARRIVED!!

MASSED CELEBRATIONS AS OUR FRIENDS FROM THE COLONIES SHOW THEIR METTLE!!

FIRST NEWS OF THE S.A.S.

Amidst scenes of great jubilation and tumultuous cheering, our gallant brothers in arms from fair Australia entered the naval dock at Port Sudan to commence immediate operations against the Turks. The squadron, flying the flag of Rear Admiral Ramsey, consists of the Heavy Monitor Cruiser H.M.A.S Castlemaine (squadron flagship) and her escorts the Light Monitors H.M.A.S. Hobart and Townsville. Also present are the Fixed Wing Tender H.M.A.S. Woomera and the light escorts: Platypus, Koala, Wallaby and Wombat. The three Aquanefs previously mentioned as forming part of the Australian contingent are thought to be on station but due to events off Yenbo reported earlier are believed to have been deployed immediately on operations. After a rousing arrival, including a stirring rendition of Waltzing Matilda delivered by the massed bands of the Royal Marines and the Port Sudan Garrison Artillery, followed by the official speech of welcome by the Governor, Sir Archibald Melrose, Rear Admiral Ramsey and his staff headed into a series of planning conferences with their Royal Naval opposite numbers that lasted deep into the night.

The importance of the Australian contribution to the Red Sea Fleet cannot be emphasised highly enough as they are the most modern of vessels. With the loss of the two cruisers - H.M.S. Exmouth and H.M.S. Sidmouth - reported earlier, the naval strength of the Empire in this region was perilously low when compared against the Turks. The balance has now been redressed somewhat and when further reinforcements are made available from the home fleet this will increase the Royal Navies operational capabilities immeasurably.

An additional concern, and a very real threat, is the continuing need to observe the two powerful German vessels currently attending the trade fair in Dar Es Salaam. Despite their protestations to the contrary, the obvious pro – Turkish leanings of the Germans makes the Ziethen and the Bayreuth powerful pieces in the diplomatic games being played out in the ministries of the world. These two vessels, easily the most modern and powerful currently in the Red Sea, would cause a major upset in the balance of naval power should they be made available to the Turks. As mentioned previously, the Germans have repeatedly denied in the strongest possible terms that their mission is anything but a peaceful one and contrary to popular opinion, their close association with the Turkish Government is purely from an advisory and commercial capacity. Nevertheless, it has been deemed prudent by their Lordships at the Admiralty to ensure that a squadron of Royal Naval vessels is on hand to act in a similar fashion and show the flag.

On the Arabian Peninsula itself, reports are filtering in of numerous acts of sabotage being carried out by our gallant Bedouin Allies. It is also rumoured that members of the newly formed Special Arabian Service (S.A.S.) have been involved in this activities. The occupying Turkish authorities are been gravely inconvenienced by these activities and are further rumoured to be redeploying additional forces to the Hedjaz to counter this threat. Due to the highly secret nature of these activities we are, of course, only able to furnish the briefest details in order not to compromise any operations currently underway.

Further details will be made available, subject to the above caveat, as soon as we are able.

THREE CHEERS FOR OUR GLORIOUS AUSTRALIAN BROTHERS IN ARMS – HUZZAH, HUZZAH, HUZZAH!!

OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH THE GALLANT FREEDOM FIGHTERS OF THE BEDOUIN AND THEIR STALWART AND DARING AGENTS OF THE S.A.S.