VICTORY GOAL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 306, 26 December 1940, Page 7

VICTORY GOAL.

LEADERS CONFIDENT.

Christmas Messages Sent To

Armed Forces.

British Official Wireless,

(Reed. 2.30 p.m.) RUGBY, Dec. 25.

Christmas messages from the Cabinet Ministers in charge of the fightingservices were broadcast in a special entertainment for His Majesty's forces abroad. The First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr. A. V. Alexander, said: "On behalf of the Admiralty I wish all officers and men of the navy a happy Christmas, accompanied, wherever their service permits, by all time-honoured naval Christmas traditions and customs. You have richly earned the enjoyment I hope you will have.

'I say to you that you can feast and onjoy your Christmas dinners in the knowledge of duty well and faithfully done. Your efforts have charted the course to victory. Stick to it, knowing that what you are doing will ensure triumph for freedom and liberty for ourselves and for generations to come to enjoy the good old-fashioned Christmas in peace and comfort. It is with this in mind that I wish to those dear to you from whom you are now separated good health and the bast of luck."

The Minister of War, Captain H. D. K. Margesson, said: "To all ranks of the army, from whatever part of the Empire Siiey have come, and wherever they may be serving at this moment, 1 offer my best wishes for Christmas and 1941. I am speaking particularly to those •serving overseas in our many military posts, which are separated by so mkny miles of eea and land from their families and friends. We have just completed a stern testing year. At home we have kept and are still keeping watch against an ever-present threat of invasion. Our powers of resistance, both military and civilian, have been tested by many attacks and by fierce, indiscriminate bombing. Your families, like yourselves, have been exposed to great dangers, and your anxiety must be great at a time which has been the occasion for family gatherings throughout the history of our country. I know I can speak on behalf of all your families and friend--in this country when I tell you they are in good heart and they are facing the attack upon their homes with bravery and high courage. Have no fear. The inspiration of the British Army is shared by the civilian population. They will not falter. They will never yield. In recent months it has been the army's duty to wait ana watch.

"When the small forces have to be expanded to enormous size and strength, time must be spent in training and in securing equipment and transporting it to each theatre of war where every plan of operation must be carefully prepared and patiently rehearsed. You have seen the result in the Middle East, and you have taken courage ae I have, from the magnificent successes achieved by Sir Archibald Wavell and his command's. The success of our armies against the Italian forces in Libya is a good omen for the future. When the moment comes, as it will, for the British Army again to measure its strength with our main enemy, I know and you know-it will not be foiind wanting."