ROMANIA INVADED BY HUNGARY
Hungarian troops yesterday marched across the Romanian border into Northern Transylvania without opposition from the Romanian army. The Hungarian-Romanian commission appointed to settle the transfer of North Transylvania from Romania to Hungary had agreed that occupation should not begin until next week, but this edict has been ignored.
The Romanians, perhaps understandably, appear to be more interested in saving themselves, their valuables, household goods and livestock than they are in fighting the Hungarians and there has been almost no resistance apart from some Romanian gendarmes, nine of whom were killed or wounded.
Scores of trains are heading east with army supplies, airplanes and tanks, whereas those trains travelling in the opposite direction have been held up, according to sources.
The same sources in Bucharest revealed that while thousands of Transylvanians were swearing revenge against the invaders, other peasants, with their families, tiny herds and meagre belongings, meekly moved back within the shrinking borders of Romania.
Every lorry, every car and every bus in the Transylvanian capital of Cluj was requisitioned and put at the disposal of those fleeing for other parts.
The Chronicle understands that more Hungarian troops entered Transylvania near Satu Mare and near Szighet, north east of Satu Mare. Romanian troops, it was stated in Bucharest, have been withdrawn from this region and there are only a few gendarmes left.
MAYOR OF RAMSGATE VINDICATED
The Mayor of Ramsgate, Mr A.B.C.Kempe, had earned himself an unfortunate reputation in parts of the town. He was known as the ‘mad mayor’ by some. But now he is revered by all as a hero.
Before the war began, the Mayor, along with his architect and the borough surveyor, insisted that the best air raid shelter in the country should be built in Ramsgate. The idea for the tunnels was put before Ramsgate Council on February 2, 1939 and it proved to be controversial, especially at a cost of £60,000. The plan was that in the event of war, the tunnels would hold tens of thousands of people in comfort. And if a war did not take place the tunnels would be used as an underground railway to the disused harbour station. The scheme was passed, but only after it had divided the town.
But when German airmen dropped 500 bombs on the town and smashed a thousand homes, the majority of the town’s population was hidden safely in these marvellous tunnels, which as well as providing shelter from bombs, also have independent electric lights, ventilator shafts and washroom accommodation.
‘Now we can say there are hundreds of people here alive, who might have been dead or maimed,’ said Mr Kempe. Mr Churchill visited the town in person on August 28 and saw the damage for himself. No doubt he took time to congratulate Mr Kempe in person as well.
And even Mr Kempe’s sternest critics now apologise and say the mayor was not mad; he had the foresight and imagination that they had lacked.
By: Alexander Rhodes
Chief War Correspondent
Diary Entries
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A LIVING HELL
Frank Edwards
3rd September 1940
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FLYING LESSONS
Jane Sheridan
2nd September 1940
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BACKS TO THE WALL
George Sheridan
1st September 1940
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OPERATING THEATRE
Mary Lawrence
31st August 1940
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BURNING BOOKS . . . AND MEN
Alexander Rhodes
30th August 1940
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