CANADIAN FORCES

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 April 1943, Page 6

CANADIAN FORCES

HELPED TO SAVE BRITAIN

OTTAWA, April 19

■■Germany must be defeated on her own soil. Italy’s defeat is certain. Japan’s ultimate destruction will follow, with Canadian forces helping, only it German military jiower is completely eliminated, said the Prime Minister of Canada (Mi. AV. L. Mackenzie King) in his speech at the opening of the fourth Canadian Victory Loan. Mr. King said Canada’s supreine hour would come when the combined Allied power would strike in a mighty effort, battering down the Prussian ramparts. The present loan was more urgent and compelling tnan any previous loan because of the nearness of the supreme hour. He issued a warning that while conditions at present seemed favourable for a combined blow against Europe, delays mie’ht occur because of unpi edicted events. “Battles may be fought at any moment in any quarioi of the globe',” he said. After Dunkirk the Canadian Ist Division was one of the very lew divisions in Britain equipped to hgnt. Its presence made it possible for Bi rtain to send reinforcements to Egypt. These, with troops from _ Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and India, saved the Middle East. The fact that Canadian forces held Britain arose entirely from high strategists’ decisions and not because of any restrictions imposed by the Canadian Government, whose attitude had’ always been that the Canadian forces, in whole or in part, should bo used where and when they conk. sL? c contribute to winning the war. "Mr. King said Canada’s armed force-: now were: —Army 43a,000, Navy 55.000, Air Force 200,000, wLi a reserve army of many thou c ends. AIR FORCE COST. ’RUGBY. April 20.

■\ Canadian-British agreement covCi;n?' now financial arrangements R C.A.F. overseas was signed in’London to-day. _The new scheme will cost Canada 350 million dollar.? in the first year. Canada has now assumed control and complete financial responsibility lor the overseas.