STILL FORMIDABLE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 199, 24 August 1942, Page 3

STILL FORMIDABLE

NAZI MILITARY FORCE

Air Secretary Outlines Tasks

For Allies British Official Wireless Rec. 1 p.m. RUGBY, August 23. The Germans, who were at the summit of their power on land and sea and with their air fleets only slightly weakened, were trying to force a decision before the democracies could develop their full strength, said Sir Archibald Sinclair, Secretary for Air, in a speech at Swansea. Despite the blows and bloody losses which the Russians had succeeded in inflicting, the German Army remained the most formidable military force the world had ever seen, and they had already seized great wheat-producing areas and great centres of production.

The Japanese had suffered heavily in recent months at the hands of the British, Australian and United States naval and air forces, but they were holding an empire rich in resources and were still strong. Germany and Japan were aiming to join hands through the Indian Ocean in order to exchange goods and thus nullify the blockade, and they were conducting a tremendous U-boat campaign.

Sir Archibald appealed to all to strive for victory. Every effort was dominated by a sense of urgency. That was why Mr. Churchill had flown thousands of miles to meet Mr. Roosevelt and M. Stalin. Mr. Churchill, Mr. Roosevelt and M. Stalin were friends, and they typified the friendship of three great countries in the war and in the future peace. They were summoning all to action, and they must not be let down.

Stressing the co-operation that had been built up between the Services, he referred to the Dieppe raid as an example of how the navy, army and R.A.F. could work together in an offensive against the enemy. He also discussed the defence of Malta and the co-operation of the Services. In the Libyan campaign all Services were working in a true brotherhood of arms, and neither politicians nor anyone else should fall below their standard.

"At home the Army Co-operation Command is preparing to give to our army, when it returns to the Continent, as return it will, the same close co-operation as the R.A.F. has given the army in Africa. Numerous squadrons in other commands, too, are gaining practice in close co-opera-tion with the army," said Sir Archibald. He added that Bomber and Coastal Commands were growing in strength and their attacks on U-boats were steadily improving. Bomber Command had struck repeatedly at German ports and industries and had hampered Germany's war effort, with comparatively light losses to Britain. Need to Press Home Attacks "We intend to press home our attacks on Germany ruthlessly," he said. "It has taken and is taking a long time to build up the strength of Bomber Command, but the harvest which we have sown through all the months of patient and strenuous work is at least beginning to ripen. There is mere than one urgent strategic requirement to be considered in deciding the employment of our heavy bombers, but we must not take our eyes off the pounding of the German war industry and transport."

The defences of the German cities were strong, he added, "but our bombers had been enabled to overcome their defences. In a few months' time four-figure raids would be less infrequent occurrences, and in the meantime the forces that could be sent against Germany on any normal night could drop a heavier load of bombs than the Germans have ever been able to drop on Britain. Their range of attack was also extending, and more and more German cities would feel the weight of Allied bombs. The disorganisation and dislocation of German industry and transport would steadily spread.

"Bomber Command is preparing the way," he concluded, "and the time will assuredly come wh» the armies of the United Nations will march along it to end the war where the war in Europe will be ended. That is our aim. Meanwhile the brutal Nazi power is still unbroken. "When the weather breaks in Russia, the Germans may bring their bombers back here. Prepare for them. Bring your fighting and civil Services to concert pitch. You will need them and you will stand as firmly next winter as you stood two years ago. You will not let the German Air Force distract you from our main task in the months to come. That task is to gather all the strength of the United Nations by land, sea and air and pass to the attack. Thus only can we win a definite victory, and victory is the one indispensable foundation for a lasting peace of justice and freedom."