Frank Review Of War Situation
CHURCHILL SPEAKS
Optimism On Air Strength; Difficulties Not Concealed
(British Official Wireless.—Rccil. 1 p.m.) RUGBY, April 9. The motion upon which the Prime Minister, Mr. Churchill, made his promised statement on the war situation in the House of Commons, before the Parliamentary recess, invited the House, on the occasion of the recent victories by sea, land and air in North Africa, Greece and the Mediterranean, to record with gratitude its high appreciation of the services of all ranks of His Majesty s forces in these brilliant operations and also of those who, by their labours and fortitude at home, furnished the means which made these successes possible. A similar motion was moved by Lord Moyne in the House of Lords. In the course of his statement Mr. Churchill said the British and Imperial troops in the Balkans had not yet engaged the enemy. This was repeated this evening in official quarters, on the basis of the latest reports. It was also stated that none of these troops were in the sector east of the Vardar River. Mr. Churchill reviewed the position in Africa and the Mediterranean, discussed the German campaign in the Balkans, dealt with the attitude of Vichy, spoke optimistically of Britain's growing air strength and soberly of the vital battle of the Atlantic. An account of the Balkans situation was contained in his announcement that the Germans entered Salonika at 4 a.m. on Wednesday, thus reaching one of the direct objectives of their diplomatic manoeuvres and troops concentrations, the progress of which had been watched in London with growing concern for many months.
As the result of the German invasion of the Balkans, said Mr. Churchill, nations which never wished to take part in the war, and which were incapable of doing the slightest injury to Germany, must now fight to the death for freedom and the land of their fathers.
Until Greece was treacherously invaded, at the behest of the base Italian dictator, she had observed meticulous neutrality, and only when she appealed for aid did Britain give her the siipport in the air and in supplies which were possible.
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Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 85, 10 April 1941, Page 8
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358Frank Review Of War Situation Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 85, 10 April 1941, Page 8
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