WESTERN FRONT

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 November 1939, Page 7

WESTERN FRONT

MR. EDEN’S IMPRESSIONS “QUIET DETERMINATION” [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.] RUGBY, November 19. The Dominions Secretary (Mr. Eden), broadcasting to-night .in the British Broadcasting Corporation’s French language programme, said: “Last week it was my good fortune to accompany to, France, Ministers from each of the Dominions overseas and the representative of the Government of India. During the brief period of our stay we were able to visit the troops of our own Expeditionary Force and also to spend some time among the French armies in the Maginot Line. “To fulfil our programme, we covered hundreds of miles' by motor-car, and we were able to see something of the conditions of life in the back areas behind the line as well as among the troops occupying the forward positions. For many of us these journeys revived memories of 20 years ago, and it is within the framework of these memories that I would wish to set my impressions to-night. “The dominant note wherever we went was one of quiet determination. This applied in equal measure to civilian and soldier, men and women, young and old. There is to-day, perhaps, less of the spirit of adventure than there was in the early years* of the Great War. There is no demonstration, no fanfare, no flag-waving. “This is not suprising, for after all our peoples now know from experience what war means. But there is everywhere a fixity of purpose, a determination that this time we shall make an end of recurrent wars of aggression.

No one doubts the final victory, but with it a new page in history must be turned.

“In the sector held by the British troops we found a persistent and infectious cheerfulness which not even the depressing weather could subdue. The health of the' troops is excellent. Their number is steadily increasing, and this process will continue. “In the meantime, rapid progress is being made in strengthening and deepening the British sector and in perfecting training and equipment at all points. MAGINOT LINE “Further south we had what was for many of us our first view of the famous Maginot defences, manned as they are to-day by an army which for calm courage, training, and efficiency is unsurpassed in the world. “France has made great sacrifices,

financial, and material, in order to complete the Maginot Line. To-day freedom-loving peoples everywhere acknowledge with deep gratitude the debt which they owe to these impregnable defences and to the army which hol(ls them. “It requires little imagination to picture how different the military outlook for the Allies must have been had France not persisted with patience and thoroughness to complete her own defences and to perfect the training of her armies. Thus, not for the first time in human history, France has placed all civilisation in her debt. “Some vivid pictures are left upon one’s mind. The first is of a young French captain describing the defences of one of the smaller forts for which he was responsible. The smooth, quiet confidence of his account showed a grasp of every detail of the elaborate machinery at his command that would have done credit io rhe most experienced chief-of-staff in any land. We found these characteristics in these young French. officers wherever we went. '

“Beyond a shadow of doubt they know the job, and know it thoroughly. One felt as one- watched them at their work and noted the soldierly bearing and the quiet determination of the rank and file that it was not for nothing that those who hold the Maginot Line have as their watchword: ‘On ne passe pas.’ “The second picture is of the forward slope of a. Maginot fort. It is early morning and mist lies thick on the ground. Peering through it, two British soldiers stand on watch. They form part of the advanced post for special service with their French comrades. They are also a visible expression of the unity of two empires who hold the same faith and cherish the same ideals.” SEVERE STORM REPORTED. PARIS, November 20. The Official Berlin News Agency says: A severe storm kept the troops busy in clearing up debris, but the weather did not prevent planes making reconnaissances over France. They all returned. It admits that Allied machines penetrated the border districts of Germany, and adds that units of the Nazi fleet are busy in the Baltic, the North Sea, and all oceans. NO IMPORTANT EVENTS LONDON, November 20. The French and German Western front communiques both report no important events during the night. So far, there has been complete quier. throughout the morning in all the theatres of war. FRENCH COMMUNIQUE. PARIS, November 20. A communique states: There is reduced activity on the Western front, with some patrols and artillery fire.