SHOCKS TO COME

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 2, 3 January 1942, Page 8

SHOCKS TO COME

NEED FOR COURAGE IN 1942

LONDON, January 1

"We shall need courage in 1942, because there are shocks to come and hardships to endure, but there is every reason for confidence in the ultimate triumph of our cause," declared General Sir Archibald Wavell, Commander-in-Chief, India, in a broadcast.

"Hitler's plans in 1941," he said, "were wrecked. His invincible armies in Russia are being rolled back, disillusioned, and frozen. His armies have been defeated and almost destroyed in Libya. He has gained little corn and no oil, and is forced to dig deep into his reserves.

"Hitler at the year's end may strut and rob as a war-lord, but he is lord over sullen, hating peoples who have seen the Nazi in his power of pride and accept him as unworthy and intolerable. He is still formidable, and will fight with the fierceness born of desperation, but in his heart he knows that his dream of world domination is doomed.

"We have gained three great Allies. Our supply of munitions is increasing daily. Our bastions in Persia, Syria, Irak, and Cyprus are securely guarded, and the threat to Egypt from the west is' removed.

"Hitler has failed to break the spirit of our people and to starve Britain by his sea war."

India, he said, was playing a most honourable part in the struggle, and could look with pride on the magnificent achievements of her troops. Her losses were small compared with her splendid achievements.

Japan had achieved some success, but it was like the success of murderers against peaceful citizens, which could always be gained till the police tracked them down.