‘RELAX NO EFFORT'

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20637, 18 August 1941, Page 4

‘RELAX NO EFFORT'

WARNING TO BRITAIN MINISTER SURVEYS WAR RUSSIA’S GALLANT STAND Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 9 a.m. RUGBY, Aug. 17. Speaking at Newcastle last night, the Secretary of State for War, Captain IT. D. Margesson. said there was a general feeling of surprise in Britain that Herr Hitler should have attacked the formidable Russian forces. At the same time there was deep admiration of the magnificent fight put up by our Russian friends. "I do not believe the Germans would ever have attacked Russia if they thought she could offer such stubborn and determined resistance,” said the Minister. “They have been taken unawares. Herr Hitler thought his armies would go through the Russians like a knife through butter—that he had only to send his panzer divisions to attack for the Russians to become demoralised. To their consternation they find themselves faced by soldiers who not only refuse to surrender when gripped in the pincer movement but who fight their way out, even when the German command- claims the pincers movement has closed behind them. In addition, when the Russians arc forced to yield ground, they burn and destroy evei'ything as they go. We salute these gallant men and women for the way they are prepared to sacrifice everything—their lives, homes, villages and crops. Nothing is held back. All is thrown in to secure victory.” Complacency Dangerous Captain Margesson warned his listeners against any inclination to sit back and trust to the war being won in the east. “There are no signs of the war drawing to a quick and pleasant conclusion,” he said. “We cannot look forward to an early return of our peaceful way of life. We shall be traitors to our cause and our country if we allow ourselves even to think that this war is being won for us by someone else. “The Battle of Russia is not yet decided, while the position in the Far East is grave.. The Battle of the Atlantic is at the crest, and the danger of the invasion of Britain has not yet been removed. , “My message, therefore, is: Relax no effort to continue to pour out ammunition and ships. Remember what, is done to-day is worth twice what is done next week.” Favourable Aspects Turning to favourable aspects of the present situation, Captain Margesson said that Britain’s long immunity from air attacks enabled her to make great progress in munitions production and all the weapons of war, and also enabled her to accumulate large stocks of vital stores. .The war effort of the Dominions and India - had surpassed anything we were entitled to hope for. So great had been our own progress .and so steadily was American aid expanding that we could face losses from renewed aerial attacks .in coming winter with sure confidence. The further breathing-space which the setback to the German armies in Russia had given us might prove-the turning point in the world struggle. Herr Hitler’s Russian adventure had caused a spirit of misgiving among both German soldiers and civilians. That spirit was • deepened by the hostility of the occupied countries, where passive resistance was increasing io open hostility. The morale of the German troops in these occupied territories was lower than it was. The Royal Air Force bombing attacks were also having their effect on German morale. These facts were but straws in the wind, but they showed which way the wind was blowing.