PREPAREDNESS FOR WAR

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25247, 28 July 1947, Page 8

PREPAREDNESS FOR WAR

NEED EMPHASISED BY FIELDMARSHAL

RED ARMY FIGHTING FORCE •* The Press ” Special Service PALMERSTON NORTH, July 27. Every precaution should be taken to ensure that the mistake of being unprepared for war in an emergency was not repeated, said Field-Marshal Lord Montgomery in an interview at Palmerston North on Friday. Great Britain at present had a very valuable national service scheme. In spite of the “little bits of trouble” that inevitably arose, there was nothing to suggest that another war was imminent. Germany was in a very bad state at present. The Allied occupying administrations had a tremendous and very vital task to see that the nation was raised up again. At the same time, Germany’s war potential must be kept down. Thefe appeared to be a good degree of co-operation between the Powers, making the task of administration and rehabilitation much easier. The occupying Powers had slight differences over matters affecting the administration of various sectors, but that was only natural. No doubt Russia was capable of producing soldiers and armies equal to the spirit and efficiency of the democracies. he said. The Russian was a fine, tough fighting man, whose spirit largely made the Red Army the magnificent fighting force it was. The record of victories over the Germans ■was adequate evidence of its fighting ability.