Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE MONDAY, APRIL 28, 1941. COURAGE TO ENDURE.

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 April 1941, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE MONDAY, APRIL 28, 1941. COURAGE TO ENDURE.

yi-IE capture of Athens adds to the list of German military successes, and brings to an end. for the time being, main active Greek resistance. The only surprise about the German progress was its rapidity. True, the enemy greatly outnumbered the armies opposing the advance, and also had superiority in total of equipment, especially in mechanisation and aeroplanes.’ but the Germans had difficult country to attack, which was thought would have proved of more advantage to the defenders than was the actual experience. There will be much written and said about, the campaign, by future historians, but, to-day, with the scanty knowledge available of the happenings, surmise only is possible. Disappointment will be felt that the Jugoslav resistance was far less than expected, and even the Greeks found fatigue too much for them. There is ’more than a £int that the Greeks were not so united against the Germans as they were against the Italians, no adequate news yet being forthcoming as to why the Premier committed suicide, why General Papagos retired, why the Northern Army ignored the Government regarding surrender, and why the other Greek forces kept retreating. What is already clear is that the Empire Force did its’ best for Greece, and, with adeefuate support, would have repulsed the German hordes. Homeland troops have been co-operating fwith. Anzacs, and doubtless all gave of their best. News sent to Australia I and New Zealand naturally fea- •

tures the Anzacs, but not half the story has been yet told. The greatest anxiety is that concerning the safety of the Empire troops. Some have already reached Egypt, and it is to be hoped that the great majority will escape capture, or internment. Retreats are usually costly affairs in lives and equipment, and courage to endure must be cultivated on all fronts, including the home.

There appears to have been some search for scapegoats by sections in the Homeland and Australia, the “popular” Press endeavouring to make, a stunt of regrettable developments. New Zealand has kept calm and courageous. but. in the neighbouring Commonwealth, some voices have been raised as to the wisdom of British entry into Greece and of Australia’s continuance of support for the war. The German propagandists were quick to seize this opportunity, and the German radio got busy with lying statements. Leaders of the chief political Parties promptly denied the enemy assertions, Mr. Curtin being particularly frank. The incident may help to arouse Austra-lia,--and New Zealand—lo the seriousness of the situation, and of the need to do even more for the common cause, particularly in the direction of producing more munitions and other equipment. Meanwhile, there is no cause for panic. The war must be looked at as a whole, not in sections. It would be foolish to belittle the recent checks in the Middle East area, and some of the new possibilities are unpleasant to consider. Courage and endurance are needed. Nothing has yet happened to justify any belief that ‘the Empire will not be the concluding victors.