MR. CHURCHILL’S REPORT

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 June 1944, Page 7

MR. CHURCHILL’S REPORT

SATISFACTORY PROGRESS “ACCORDING TO PLAN” ~LONDON, June 6. Mr. Churchill was greeted with tremendous enthusiasm in the House of Commons when he announced that landings had been made in Europe. He said: “During the night and in the early hours of this morning the first series of landings in force on the European continent occurred. In this case, the assault fell on the coast of France. An immense armada, upwards of 4000 ships, with several thousand smaller craft, crossed the Channel. Massed airborne landings were successfully effected behind the enemy’s lines. There are landings' on the beaches at present proceeding in various parts. The fire from the shore batteries has been largely quelled. Enemy obstacles, which were constructed in the sea, have not proved so difficult as had been apprehended. The British and American allies are sustained by about 11,000 first-line ’planes, which can be drawn upon as they may be needed, for the purpose of battle.

“I cannot, of course, commit myself to any particular detail. Reports are coming in in rapid succession, but so far, the commanders engaged report that everything is proceeding according to plan. There already are hopes that an actual tactical surprise has been attained. We hope, during the course of the fighting, to furnish the enemy with a succession of surprises.”

“I may say that complete unity prevails throughout the Allied armies. (Cheers). There is a brotherhood in arms between us and our friends in the United States. There is complete confidence in General Eisenhower and his lieutenants, and also in General Montgomery. The ardour and spirit of the troops, as I saw them myself embarking during these last few days, was splendid. It is a vast operation, and is undoubtedly the most complicated and difficult which has ever occurred. Nothing that equipment, science and forethought can do has been neglected. The whole process of the opening of this great new front is being pursued with the utmost resolution by both the commanders and the British and American Governments whom they serve.”

LOSSES LIGHT. ” RUGBY, June 6. The Prime Minister (Mr. Churchill) in a second statement to the Commons said: “I can state that the operation is proceeding in a thoroughly satisfactory manner. Many of the dangers and difficulties which, this time last night, appeared to be extremely formidable are behind us. The passage of the sea lias been made with Jar less loss than we apprehended. The resistance of the batteries has %'en greatly weakened by the bombing of the Air Forces and the superior bombardment of our ships quickly reduced their fire to which did not affect the problem.

“The landings of troops on a broad front have been effected and the troops have penetrated, in some cases, several miles inland. Lodgments exist of air-borne troops which were, of course, on a scale far larger than anything seen so far in the world. These landings took place with extremely little loss, and with great accuracy. Particular anxiety was attached to them because of the conditions of light prevailing in the very limited period of dawn and just before dawn. Conditions of visibility made all the difference.”

The Prime Minister concluded by saying:: “It might easily have been that something happened at the last minute that would have prevented airborne troops playing their part. K very real degree of risk had to be taken in respect to weather, but Eisenhower’s courage is equal ic nil necessary decisions that have to be taken in these extremely difficult uncontrollable matters. The airoorne troops are well established and landings and follow-ups are all proceeding with very much less loss than expected. The fighting is proceeding at various points, and we captured bridges, which were not blown up by the enemy. There is fighting in the town- of Caen inland, but all this, although or course very valuable and vitally essential, is the first step, and gives no indication what may be the course of the battle in the next .days or weeks, because the enemy will now probably endeavour to concentrate on this area, and in that event, fighting will soon begin and will continue without any end so long as we can push troops in and the enemy can bring troops up. This is therefore, a most serious lime and we are upon it with our great Allies all -in good heart and good friendship.”