Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1940. CAUSE FOR CONFIDENCE.

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 September 1940, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1940. CAUSE FOR CONFIDENCE.

RONDON, ancient and modern, lias now endured about a fortnight’s aerial blitzkrieg, the inhabitants being given little rest from alarms and actual raids, day and night. Thousands have been killed or injured, many more made homeless, and the damage to property has been enormous. Despite this, it is generally agreed that the harassed people go about their daily duties almost as in normal days, and neutral, correspondents pay tribute to the determination and cheerfulness displayed. Every day,, heavy toll is taken of the enemy raiders, and although, as Mr. Churchill said this week, neither side has yet used its greatest aerial strength, still the numbers engaged have been representative. The results have given the public increased confidence in the R.A.F. and the ground defences.

Serious as has been the havoc wrought by the enemy’s bombing of non-inilitary objects, the habitu,al optimistic philosophy of Londoners wall come to their aid in these days of peril. Regret at; the loss of some ancient structures will be, accompanied by a reflection that London has many historical relics left, and the present experiences will supply new shrines for veneration by posterity. Many of the houses destroyed, in the’’ East and South-east, especially, were facing demolition in any case, and housing reforms will now be expedited, /lessening what'was a social scandal. The damaged and destroyed modern stores and other commercial premises, will be repaired and replaced in due time. Great consolation will be found in the fact that the Germans have not been able to dislocate traffic’and food supplies.’

Generally, the enemy has more cause for disappointment at the net results, so far, of his assault on London, than the Londoners have for bemoaning the city’s losses. ■

Chief encouragement, however, will come from the knowledge that the R.A.F.. attacks on Germany and the enemy-occupied ports and bases, «are producing important military results. Moreover these successes have been continuous for many weeks, and the s Germans seem unable to cope with them. Hitler’s invasion plans and preparations have been seriously tipset, if total 'cancellation has not yet been achieved. The R.A.F. strategy is not to waste bombs on civiliaii. residences, but to destroy all the material and equipment useful for military purposes. If it becomes advisable to give Berlin and, other big centres of population, what Nazi raiders have inflicted on British towns, is there any doubt that such orders could be c'arried out? Without being callous to the sufferings of Londoners and people in other parts of Britain, it can be said that the R.A,F. have already inflicted far greater loss on Germany, and in a direction that must win the war for Britain. The comments of neutrals, some not pro-British in sympathies, agree that the Nazi manoeuvres to spread panic and terror among ,the English people, have failed. Britain’s own manufacturing production has scarcely been affected, and, every week, finds the U.S.A, sending more planes and material. There is much to be thankful for, and it is realisation of all the circumstances that keeps the British people cheerful and confident.