IF NAZIS ATTACK VIA TURKEY

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 52, 25 November 1941, Page 8

IF NAZIS ATTACK VIA TURKEY

Imperial Army Ready PROMINENT PART OF DOMINIONS (By Telegraph.—Press Jssn.—Copyright.) LONDON, November 23. A powerful, well-equipped British and Empire and Free French army is ready to bar the way if the Germans attempt to smash across Turkey and attack Syria in order to divert Britain’s attention from North Africa, says the British United Press correspondent at Be'irut. During the five months in which- Britain was preparing for the Libya offensive strong reinforcements have been pouring into Syria, Palestine and Lebanon.

The correspondent says he has just returned from a tour of Syria and Palestine, where he saw arriving in steady streams tanks of all sizes, Brcngun carriers, anti-aircraft guns, armoured cars, -guns and munitions. The correspondent pays a tribute to the South Africans and New Zealanders for the part they had played in helping to build up the excellent military machine now in existence.

There are veteran Australians in Syria and Palestine from General Wavell’s campaign in Libya who have undergone further intensive training, he says. They are already on the friendliest terms with the Turkish frontier posts in the north. Veteran pilots, who fought in the Battle for Britain, are ready, standing bv with Spitfires and Hurricanes. ’ South Africa and New Zealand have sent tens of thousands of men to the Middle East in the last few months. General Wavell also has another good-sized, well-equipped army in Iraq, ready for any emergency, while the British army in Cyprus has also been' considerably .reinforced and will not be caught unawares if the Germans attack the island.