DAY OF MEMORY

Auckland Star, 12 May 1941, Page 7

DAY OF MEMORY

PATRIOTISM LIVES Nations In Bondage Trust In British Victory Rec. noon. RUGBY, May 11. Amidst the ruins of the Dutch Church destroyed in a Xazi raid last December Queen Wilhelmina stood with Dutch men and women exiles from their country and joined in "a service of commemoration, on the first anniversary of the invasion of the Low Countries. Over their heads the flag of the Netherlands flew halfmast, while all present stood in silence in honour of those who had given their lives for Holland's salvation and of others suffering for their patriotism in prison and concentration camp. The flag was then run to the masthead and the Dutch National Anthem was sung. Broadcast speeches were made on baturday evening by Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands the Grand Duchess of Luxemburg and the Premier of Belgium, M. Pierlot, on the anniversary of the German invasion of Holland, Luxemburg and Belgium.

Queen WiThelmlna said the Dutch Empire maintained its effort to overthrow aggression and from Curacao to New Guinea Dutch ships left ports laden with war materials for the Allied cause. Her people in Europe could only offer active assistance through those of its forces that had escaped from the aggressor's power, but the East Indies freely continued to strengthen its army, navy and air force. Belief in British Aims A note of determination, courage and unwavering belief in a British victory and the liberation of her country characterised the speech of the Duchess of Luxemburg, in the course of which she said: "I trust in the fulfilment of British aims "to create world security based on Christian principles arid the fundamental ideals of the British Commonwealth, where might is not right and where the liberties and rights of small peoples are equally respected with those of great."

Recalling that this day last vear marked the second time" in a quarter of a century that Germany had ruthlessly invaded Belgium, M. Pierlot said that to-day, as in 1914, the Belgians refused to suhmit "to the rule of-foreign bullies"' whom they despised.

"We have united the coaslderablcassets we had abroad to those of the British Empire, and all the resources of the Belgian Congo are at the service of our common cause." he said. "Our colonial army is taking its part in the brilliant, campaign of the Empire forces in Abyssinia."

An American-built Hudson aircraft, presented by the Dutch people overseas, was used by the Royal Dutch Naval Air Service when they co-operated whh the Coastal Command last night in attacking enemy aerodromes at Kristian>und and Mandal, in Southern Norway. This was the first occasion on which the Dutch squadron had formed a striking force against objectives in enemy occupied territory". Hitherto the Dutch squadron in thi< country had been providing air protection for shipping and had been training.