DRIVE AGAINST MAU MAU

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27273, 13 February 1954, Page 7

DRIVE AGAINST MAU MAU

New Call-Up Likely In East Africa

NAIROBI, Feb. 11. The Commander-ih-Chief East Africa (General Sir George Erskine) announced today that all releases from the security forces would be cancelled to intensify a new drive to clean up the Mau Mau. A new call-up of EuroCeans between 18 and 45 was likely to e made. General Erskine said he planned new measures which, he hoped, would “put the Mau Mau back on the board.” He said he believed Europeans would realise that the sacrifices they had to make were worthwhile in order to bring peace and prosperity back to the country in the shortest possible time. General Erskine said he was determined to step up the effort against the Mau Mau, and to do that he needed more manpower, particularly those who knew the country and its inhabitants.

Not only had releases from the security forces been cancelled, but the Governor had ordered a new registration of European manpower, he said. There might well be a further callup after registration because he wished to create a pool of reserves upon which he could call for urgent requirements, and especially so that he could relieve some of the men in the Kenya Regiment, who had been doing magnificent work for a very long time, General Erskine said.