OFFENSIVE SPIRIT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20858, 10 August 1942, Page 2

OFFENSIVE SPIRIT

AMERICAN FORCES POURING INTO BRITAIN TRAINING FOR INVASION (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (British Official Wireless.) (Noon.) RUGBY, Aug. 9. The offensive spirit of the United States forces now pouring into England was emphasised by MajorGeneral M. W. Clark. “We are not here to sit on the de tensive,” he said. “We are here to take the offensive. As to the second front, the sooner the better as far as we are concerned . I am unable to say how fast troops are arriving, bul we are ready to handle them in training as fast as they can come. Every British unit in the areas _we are occupying has a combat mission in case of invasion. As the British troops move out. ours must fit in the British scheme of defence. Gradually we shall be responsible for these things.

“The United States troops are prepared to carry out the same duties in air raids as the British troops. Our forces will co-operate with the local Home Guard. It is highly .that we should work with the Royai Air Force and the British Army in the matter of communications. In conjunction with the British we hope to carry the war to the enemy. It need; a knowledge of amphibious warfare. One of the things we must appreciate is how the troops are trained so that they know how to embark and disembark.

“Part of the specialist training here will be on British battle school lines. The best way that the infantry can gain confidence in their artillery is by having artillery firing over their heads as close as they can. A few will get hurt but it will save many more in battle.”