WAR REVIEW BY CHURCHILL

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 127, 24 February 1944, Page 5

WAR REVIEW BY CHURCHILL

No Loss In Allied Unity COMPACT TO SMITE THE HUN (British Official Wireless.) <s> RUGBY, February 23. “One thing we agreed on at Teheran above all the others to which we are all bound in solemn compact, and, this is to fall upon and smite the Hun by land, sea, and air with all the strength in us during the coming spring and summer. “To this task we must vow ourselves every day anew. To this ordeal we must address ourselves, with all the moral virtue we possess. The task is heavy, the toil is long, and the trials will be severe. Victory may not be so far away, and will certainly not be denied us in the end.”

With these words, Mr. Churchill, in the House of Commons, concluded his first statement on the war since he returned from Teheran and Cairo. “This is not a time for sorrow or rejoicing. It is a time for preparation, effort, and resolve,” said 1 Mr. Churchill. “I have never taken the view that the end of the war in Europe was at hand or that Hitler was about to collapse. I have given uo guarantee, nor held out any expectation, that 1944 would see the end of the European war. Nor have I given any guarantees the other way. My information goes to show that Hitler and his police are still in full control, and that the Nazi Party and the generals have decided to hang together. ' The German Army still had about 300 divisions, though many had -been substantially reduced in strength. The recent fighting in Italy had proved it still maintained its -former standards of staff work and morale. It was true that Germany’s munition production had been notably reduced by our -bombing, and the people had been brought to a state of dull apathy which was affecting both production and A.R.P. services.

“The splendid victories of our Soviet allies are inflicting immense losses on the enemy,” said the Prime Minister. “The fact that so many enemy divisions have been drawn to Italy, and Yugoslavia, while other-large bodies are held in France and the Low Countries by fear of invasion, has been a help to these victories. Moreover, the Anglo-American bombing of’Germany, absorbing 3,000,000 Germans, has, with the other British and American activities, drawn four-fifths of the German fighter force to the British and American front, and I believe an even larger number of bombers. This has also been of assistance to the Soviet Union. These statements should be made in justice to the Western Allies. They in no way detract from the glory of the Russian arms.” Britain’s Achievements. Mr. Churchill then gave a detailed account of Britain’s part in the war to date. Since January 1, 1943, the Royal Navy and the' Royal Air Force —the forces of the Mother Country alone —had sunk more than half the U-boats, of which there was proof in living prisoners, and 40 per cent, of those of which 'there -was other decisive evidence of destruction. By British action alone 19 enemy warships and a large number of smaller war vessels had 'been sunk. The of 316 merchant ships, aggregating 835,000 tons, in the same period was also due predominantly to British arms, the Royal Navy losing about 7677 officers and men and the Merchant Navy about' 4200 in the period. “Since the beginning of the war merchant seamen from these islands who have been lost have been about one-fifth of the average number engaged. The total of officers and men in the Royal Navy killed since the war started is just over 30 per cent, of the pre-war strength, the figures -being 4x1,000 killed of a strength 130,000 at the outbreak of war.” The honour of bombing Berlin had fallen almost entirely on Britain. Excluding Dominion and Allied squadrons with the R.A.F., the British Isles had lost 38,300 pilots and aircrews killed, 10,400 missing, and more than 10,000 aircraft since the war began. The British Army, little more than a police force at the start of the war, had fought in every part of the world, and history would show its contribution was beyond all proportion to the available manpower of Britain. Air Attack on Germany. Mr. Churchill detailed the bombing operations over Germany in the previous 48 hours, revealing that more than 9000 tons of bombs had been dropped by the Anglo-American' air forces, and said the spring and summer would see a vast increase in the attacks, as well as those on targets in occupied countries. Longrange bombers from Italy would effectively penetrate the southern part of Germany.

The Anglo-American air attack must be regarded as the Western Allies’ largest offensive effort to the present time. The U.S. bomber force now began to surpass Britain’s, though, by past standard. each was prodigious in effort. “Wo look forward to very great destruction and dislocation of enemy munition and supply, no matter how far the factories are withdrawn,”, he said. “The precision American daylight attacks are giving exceptional results, particularly not only in clear daylight, but now, thanks to the development of navigational aids, through clouds. The whole of this air offensive constitutes the foundations upon which our plans for overseas invasion stand.” “Scales and- degrees of attacks will be reached far beyond the dimensions of anything yet employed or indeed imagined. The idea that we should fetter or further restrict the use of this prime instrument for shortening the war will not be accepted by the Governments of the Allied Nations. The proper course for German civilians and non-combatants is, to quit entirely the munitions production areas and take refuge in the countryside. “We intend to make war production impossible for all German cities, towns, and factory centres. Retaliation so far has been modest, and we jnust expect it to increase. Hitler has great need to exaggerate his counter-attacks so as to placate the formerly deluded population. There is no doubt that the Germans are preparing on the French shore new means to attack this country by pilotless aircraft, possibly rockets, or both, on a considerable seale. “We have long been watching this with the utmost vigilance. We are striking at all evidence of these preparations when the weather is suitable, and to the maximum extent possible, without detracting from. the strategic offensives against Germany. “An elaborate scheme of bombing priorities on which a large band of highlyskilled American and British officers, is constantly at work in accordance with directions by the combnied chiefs of staff •nt Washington has governed our action for some time past, and it is continually kept up to date and in relation to our strategic schemes and aims. “The toll taken of enemy fighter strength, specially by the American forces in daylight raids, was affecting the general situation. The new fighter strength was being worn down, both in the air and in the continual attack on its production factories. “British aircraft production, already far exceeded the German. Russia’s about equalled Britain’s, and America was double or treble that of Germany. “What the experiences of Germany will be when her fighter defence is almost completely eliminated and aircraft caw go all over the country- day and night with nothing to fear but flak have yet to be seen,” said Mr. Churchill.

Japan’s air power was also beiug overmatched, and her production was incomparably small compared with the Allies. ’Tha.

tensive was in Italy, and many had been disappointed with the progress made since the capture of Naples. Mr. Churchill declared this was due to bad weather, and because the G'ermans had been drawn down into Italy and had moved divisions to the south to construct a single line in defence of Rome. ■' . .

“We were therefore committed to. a frontal advance in extremely mountainous country which gave every advantage of defence. There has been need to build up very large supplies of .stores and vehicles, and also the strategic air force which is being developed for attack on southern Germany hag made extremely large priority inroads upon transportation, especially those forms most in demand. An immense amount of work, however, has been done, and the results will become apparent later. “Among the Allies, we have a larger Army in Italy. The American air force in the Mediterranean is larger than the British, and the two together . possess enormous superiority quantitatively, and also, we believe, qualitatively, over the enemy We have also complete command of the seas, where an American squadron is actively working with the British Fleet. “Many people have wondered why it lias not been possible to make a large amphibious turning movement in eastern or western Italy to facilitate a forwatd advance Its practicability depended on it being fitted 'into the general programme for the year. “Events had not taken the course -oped or planned. The great army of 40,000 to 50,000 men, equipped with masses of artillery and tanks, was .got ashore, and moving inland had come into contact with the enemy. German reaction had been remarkable, and it was apparently resolved to defend Rome with the same obstinacy as was shown at Stalingrad and in the Dnieper bend. A determined effort had- been made to drive the Allied forces into the sea, but the resistance of the beach-head army had not been shaken. The forces were well matched. though advantage in artillery and armour lay with the Fifth Army men and, when the weather 'was favourable, the Allied air power played an immense part. “General Alexander, who probably has seen more fighting against the Germans than any living British commander unless it be General Freyberg, who is also in the fray, says that the bitterness and fierceness of the fighting in the beachhead and at Cassino surpasses all his previous experience.

“On the Cassino front British, American, Dominion, Indian, French and Polish troops were fighting side by side in a noble comradeship. Their leaders were confident and the troops in the highest spirits of offensive vigour. Hitler’s decision to send probably 500,000 troops to make a secondary front was not unwelcome. Unless we wanted to stand and watch the Russians we must fight him somewhere.” Mr. Churchill recalled that on that day last year the Allies had suffered an unwelcome check in the Kasserine Pass, but General Alexander and the Allied troops of his command had his confidence. Coming Operations. “In Britain, where forces are being assembled for future operations of the greatest magnitude, General Eisenhower, with whom we have worked so long, happily and successfully, has been placed at the summit of the war direction, with Air Chief Marshal Tedder as deputy and with a brilliant United 'States chief of staff, the trusty General Bedell Smith. “The British and American armies at the outset of the struggle will be approximately equal, but if the duration is nrolonged a continuous inflow of Americans, built up at an enormous rate, will naturally give them that superiority of numbers which is to be expected from the great resources of manpower they dispose and which they, desire above all things to bring as speedily as possible in contact with the enemy.” It- was therefore right, he declared, that the supreme command should go to the United States. He praised General Eisenhower’s qualities and said a similar unity of brotherhood which had been attained under him in North Africa was being instituted in Britain. Reviewing the political scene in Europe, he said, there was a unity of hatred against Nazi tyranny such as had never been known against any race before. The sanest thing to do was to judge all the parties and factions dispassionately by their readiness and ability to'fight the Germans and thus help the Ailed troops. “This is no time for ideological preferences,”. he “We signed an armistice with King Victor Emmanuel and Marshal Badoglio, and the legitimate Government of Italy On their authority the Italian navy, not without risk of loss, surrendered, and Italian troops entered the front line and suffered severe casualties, but they continue to fight alongside our men. Very large numbers are engaged in indispensable services behind the fronts. Italian airmen are also fighting .at our side.

‘The Battle of Italy will be hard and long. P aju not yet convinced that any other Government can be formed at present which would command the same obedience to the armed forces. Should we succeed in the present battle and enter Rome, as I trust and believe we shall, we should be free to review the whole Italian political situation.” The Prime Minister dealt with the reduction in the numbers of the hostile forces brought about by Italy’s surrender, and also drew attention Jo the large number of German forces occupied by guerrillas in Yugoslavia, Albania, and Greece. Sneaking of the collision between General Mikhailovich and General Tito, Mr. Churchill said that tragic fights took place and bitter feuds sprang up. The followers of General Tito outnumbered manyfold those of General Mikhailovich, who commanded in the name of the Royal Yugoslav Government. The Partisans were the only people who were doing any effective fighting against the Germans. “For a long time past,” he said, “1 have taken a particular interest in General Tito’s movement, and I am trying bv every means to bring him help. King Peter has found shelter in this country. We cannot dissociate ourselves in any way from him. “The saddest case is Greece. The German invaders watched with contemptuous complacency Greeks killing Greeks with ammunition which was sent to them to kill Germans. The great mass of the people await with fortitude nnd longing the hour of liberation. As far as we are concerned they shall not wait in vain.” Referring to the conferences in Teheran and Cairo. Mr. Churchill expressed the conviction that the personal contacts established there would prove helpful to the common cause. “There would be very few differences between the three great Powers if the chief representatives met once a month,” he said. “But geography imposes baffling obstacles. though I trust it mav be possible to hold further meetings. None of the ground made good at Moscow and Teheran has been lost. The three groat Allies are enpally resolved to pursue the war, whatever the cost, to a victorious conclusion..

friendly co-operation lies before them after the destruction of the Hitlerite tyranny. . Upon such a prolonged, intimate, and honourable association the future of the world depends. “I took occasion to raise with Marshal Stalin the question of tbe future of Poland. I pointed out that it was in the fulfilment of our guarantee to Poland that Britain declared war on Nazi Germany, and that we had never weakened in our resolve, even when we were alone, and that the fate of the' 1 Polish nation holds a prime place in the thoughts and policy of the British Government and the British Parliament.

“With great pleasure I heard from Marshal Stalin that he, too, was resolved upon the creation and maintenance of a strong, integral, and independent Poland as one of the leading Powers in Europe. He several times repeated this in public, and I am convinced that it represents the policy- of the Soviet Union.” “We ourselves have never guaranteed on behalf of His Majesty’s Government any particular frontier. I have always held the opinion that any territorial settlement or readjustment should .stand over till the end of the war and that the victorious Powers should then arrive at a formal final agreement governing the articulation of Europe as a whole. That is the wish of His Majesty’s Governmen . - “I have intense sympathy for the Poles, but also sympathy with the Rus sians’ standpoint. Russia has a right of reassurance against future attack- - from the west, and we are going all the way with her to see she gets it, not only by the might of her armies but by the approval and assent of the Unitea Nations.

“The liberation of Poland may pre gently be achieved by the Russian arinie,; after those armies have suffered millions of casualties in breaking the German war machine. I cannot feel that the Russian demand for reassurances about her western frontiers goes beyond what is reasonable and just.” Mr. Churchill said that in demanding the unconditional surrender of Germany the Allies did not mean that it was wished to blot her out from the nations of Europe. Mr. Churchill then turned to home affairs aud said :

“I cannot say that the dangers are mortal now, but they are none the less very serious, and we need all the support and goodwill that attended us when everyone felt our national existence was at stake. We have the greatest joint operation between two allies that has ever been planned in history. Liberals, Labour men, and Tories are fighting and dying together, working together in a thousand different ways, and Britons and Americans are linked to; gether in the noblest comradeship of war under fire of the enemy. -My hope is that the generous instincts of unity will not depart from us in . these times of immense exertions nnd grievous sacrifice and that we shall not fall .apart abroa4.or.at borne.”