INVASION THREAT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20301, 17 July 1940, Page 12

INVASION THREAT

HISTORIC PARALLEL NAPOLEONIC AMBITIONS "The following lines seem to me very appropriate as the Mother Country is expecting an invasion from a ruthless enemy," writes Mr. J. C. Field. “The dawn of October 21, 1805, found England in a place of grim peril. Napoleon had mustered an invading army of 130,000 veterans on ihe sands of Boulogne, and only awaited a naval victory to launch his great flotilla of more than 1000 transports across the Channel to the English shore. " 'Let us.’ said Napoleon, ‘be masters of the Channel for six hours, and we shall lie masters of the world!' In that supreme endeavour to master the ‘streak of silver sea' he assembled a large fleet of nearly 50 ships of the line under Admiral Villeneuve. In those days of England’s peril, the nation called on her greatest admiral. Lord Nelson, to save her shores from invasion and disaster. “Wounded and weary after many years of sea warfare, Nelson responded to the cal! of his country, and sailed to his last great battle in 11.M.5. Victory, at the head of a ileet of 27 ships of the line. “As the two fleets drew near to each other, on that calm October morning, an officer entered Nelson’s cabin and was surprised to see the great sailor in prayer for England and humanity. In a ship called 'Victory' and on the threshold of the greatest sea victory in all history. Lord Nelson took the warrior’s way of victory and wrote this prayer: ‘May the Great God whom 1 worship grant to my country, and for the benefit of Europe in general, s great and glorious victory; and may nc misconduct in anyone tarnish it; and may humanity after victory be the predominant feature of the British fleet. For myself, individually, 1 commit my life to Him Who made me, and may His blessing light upon my endeavours for serving my country faithfully. To Him I resign myself, and the just cause entrusted to me tc defend. Amen. Amen. Amen!’ “A few hours later this hero of Trafalgar, the greatest of sailors. Lord Nelson, passed away with this prayer on his lips: ‘Thank God, I have done my duty!’ ”