FINAL BLOW OF THE WAR

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 58, 5 September 1940, Page 11

FINAL BLOW OF THE WAR

DUTY OF THE ARMY

NEED FOR WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT

(British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 3. Describing the present position, of Britain, the Secretary of War (Mr. Anthony Eden), in a speech, declared that in some respects it was more enyiable than ever before. "There are times when it is good to stand alone, especially when you know you are not going to stand like that for ever, and we do know that," he said.

The nations overrun by Hitler were unwilling captives, and there were in Britain growing contingents from the armies of these people, he continued. The members of these contingents were comrades and were greeted as such by the armies of the British Commonwealth.

The events in France had necessitated a greatly-accelerated call-up, and in spite of the fact that the Army had to be reorganised and re-equipped nearly half a million men joined up in a few weeks.

The quality of the personnel had never been better, and the equipment position was rapidly improving, but there was no weapon of which the Army did not require still more. Till these weapons were available in sufficient quantities the war could not be won. Great and powerful as the Navy was—by keeping the freedom of the seas it created the conditions in which alone victory was possible—and while the gallantry of the R.A.F. had struck a prelude to victory, it was the Army which must deal the final blow.

The Army must have its weapons and training, and, above all, mechanised weapons and close tactical support from the air, which were indispensable to success in modern war.

In a message to the Army on, the anniversary Of the outbreak of hostilities, Mr. Eden said: "We look forward to the day, which we are convinced is not far distant, when the Army, brought to full strength both in manpower and equipment, will combine with the sea and air forces in an offensive which will set our country and our cause on the final road to victory,' 8