WAR IN FRANCE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 7, 20 October 1941, Page 7

WAR IN FRANCE

THE LACK OF EQUIPMENT. COMMENT ON DISPATCHES (United Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, October 17. The publication of Viscount Gort’s dispatches has evoked wide interest and considerable space is devoted in the newspapers both to the text and comment. Some emphasis is laid on the lack of adequate equipment. “The Times,” while stating that Lord Gort’s British Expeditionary Force, “according to the standards of the times, was not as well found as its predecessor of 25 years earlier,” points out that the new standard of equipment is far more exacting and demands a longer and more Intense industrial preparation—a factor emphasised by Lord Gort himself when he states in his dispatch: “The days are past when armies can hurriedly be raised, equipped, and placed in the field.”

The newspapers also comment that the British Expeditionary Force was under French command, and Lord Gort considered himself to be the equivalent of the French Army commander, and hence his express statement that it was not for him to comment on the French plans. “This,” states “The Times” “was carrying subordination further than Haig ever carried it.”

After stating that “Lord Gort had no responsibility for the plans made to meet the German invasion of the Low Countries.” “The Times," summing up the impression mad© by this history of the British Expeditionary Force during the 22 days’ campaign, states: “The whole record of the retreat is one in which we are justified in taking pride. The British Expeditionary Force proved that the British soldier to-day is the equal of the best among his ancestors, who so often have been engaged in desperate ventures all over the world. The leaders were not found wanting, and those in the junior ranks especially fulfilled all the hopes which had been based upon them. Wheh all seemed to be in the melting pot about it, the force fought on, determined and steady. Often hungry, sleepless, and exposed, in the latter stages, to a ceaseless attack from tanks on the ground and bombers in the skies, it preserved its discipline and integrity “For what it lacked in equipment the reproach is to the Government, indeed, to the nation itself, rather than to those who actually equipped it, who in the time and with the money and the resources at their disposal per formed their task faithfully. The wea pon-training was sound. The British Expeditionary Force never failed to live up to its high traditions.” The “Daily Express,” in a leading article, states: “Lord Gort answers the query ‘Why don’t we invade western Europe?’ His comparisons of the equipment in France ought to bo enough to prevent those demanding an invasion bawling for immediate action before we make enough tanks. Brave men must not be sacrificed without the proper weapons. The sending of illequipped expeditions abroad is a bluff which once deceived the British, but has never deceived Hitler.”

The “Daily Mail” states: “Lord Gort’s comments tend to confirm the cynical maxim that the British Army never prepares for the next war, but always for another like the last.’ British Official Wireless.