BRITAIN AFTER DUNKIRK

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24736, 29 November 1945, Page 4

BRITAIN AFTER DUNKIRK

ROLE OF NEW ZEALAND TROOPS

DISPOSED TO MEET AIRBORNE INVASION

(P.A:) WELLINGTON, Nov. 28. How New Zealand forces in England at the time after Dunkirk were disposed on the Downs to meet the threat of an air-borne invasion as part of the plan for the defence of Britain, was revealed by the Chief of the imperial General Staff, Field-Marshal Lord Alanbrook, replying to the toast in his honour at a luncheon given him and Vice-Admiral Sir Philip Vian at Parliament House to-day.

Lord Alanbrook said he orderea large scale manouevres by New Zealand forces on the Downs, and had been amazed with their speed of movement. He had decided for that reason, to allot them the task of defending the area. Since Germany's capitulation captured plans of the

High Command had shown that the landing of airborne forces in exactly that area had been part of the invasion plans. Those forces would have had a very hot reception.

It could now be seen what the Empire owed to New Zealand forces. They had fought victoriously from Egypt through to the end in Northern Italy.

Lord Alanbrook said he was often asked what had played the ■• greatest part in winning the war—Russia, the United States, the Navy, the Army, the Air Force, or the civilian "effort behind them all. "It was the spirit of co-operation which existed throughout," he declared. "We did achieve a very high standard of co-operation, and that achieved the, major part of the victory. Peace in the future world will depend on some kind of co-opera-tion, though not that produced by the war. If we have that we may achieve peace.

"There are some very delicate plants in the garden of the world just now, and they will need very careful tending, but there is also in the same garden a sturdy oak tree, tree of the Empire. It has the same ideals as the delicate plants, and it will go a long way in helping to foster peace. "During a, long tour—Greece, Italy, India, Burma, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and then down to Australia and-here, and I shall shortly be going back by Singapore, places in Northern Africa; Irak, Saudi Arabia, and so on —I have found sufficient cause, for anxiety in many places. The path ahead is rugged, but if we realise that it is rugged, and tackle it in the right way, we shall be all right. 'We shall win the peace as we won the war."