WAITING FOR THE FOE

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 76, 26 September 1940, Page 10

WAITING FOR THE FOE

BRITAIN READY

NEW ZEALANDERS' PART

(From the Official Correspondent Attached to the N.Z. Forces in Britain).

LONDON, September 24,

The function of her European army in this most glorious fortnight of Britain's civilian history has been to watch and wait—to line ths ramparts of England and be ready, if the foe should come, to strike him a blow from which he will never recover.

Although a very small unit among a million and a quarter men thus standing to arms, the New Zealand Second Echelon has been honoured with an important forward position and in the last week.has further improved its plans for striking quickly and hard when the call comes.

British public opinion on the possibility of an invasion remains divided, but, with the growing might against it, the preparedness already unparalleled in this island's long story of hardbought freedom is being, intensified daily. It is distasteful to be as it were idly standing by while the Air Fores and the Navy do all the work and unprotected women and children bear much of tha brunt of a vicious and merciless attack, but it is a part which the needs of the moment require of soldiers. Meanwhile it is an unforgettable privilege to be here and to gather inspiration from the incomparable valour of our airmen and the magnificent courage under assault of the common people of Britain.