Only Over Dead Bodies Of Britons

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 157, 4 July 1940, Page 7

Only Over Dead Bodies Of Britons

GERMAN INVASION

Peer Wants Australians To Tackle Parachute Troops

TACTICS KEPT SECRET

(United Press Association.—Copyright.—Kec. 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, July 3. Lord Mottistone (formerly Major-General Seely), in the House of Lords, urging an increase in civilian offensive power and equipment, suggested that an Australian division should be allocated to deal with air-borne invaders. "Among the divisions from overseas, where there are wider "paces," he said, "there are people with more novel conceptions of warfare." Lord Croft (formerly Sir Henry Page Croft), Under-Secre-tary for War, said: "Our intention is to defeat an invasion at sea or even before the enemy embarks, but if not there, then in the process of landing. "Every landing place must be covered, not only by artillery, but by rifles and machine-guns. We intend to hurl him back into the sea." Lord Croft, adds a British official wireless message, said it must be expected that the enemy would attempt to invade Britain by sea and air, or both, simultaneously at many points. The enemy would be utterly regardless of his losses. Pointing out that he was unable to disclose the tactical methods for the resistance to invasion, Lord Croft said that, nevertheless, from evidence he had received first hand, he was absolutely convinced "that British men can and will dominate the master machine." Broadly speaking, we hope the Navy may intercept the enemy's invading armada and cause great destruction to his ships and transports. Our Air Force also will engage him before he reaches our shores, inflicting great loss. We also hope to get information of his movements. "We believe that no German will pass any defence work except over the dead bodies of garrisons. It is the one ambition, we believe, of all ranks to prevent the soil of Britain being fouled by enemy footprints." • Referring to the Local Defence Volunteer Organisation, Lord . Croft stated that of a total of 500,000 volunteers announced a fortnight ago, every man would very soon be equipped with some effective form of weapon.