INVASION ISSUE

Grey River Argus, 11 February 1941, Page 5

INVASION ISSUE

GREATEST OF ALL

Says Mr Churchill

ENEMY CANNOT WIN OTHERWISE [British Official Wireless! (Received February 10, 5.30 p.m.). RUGBY, February 9. Mr Churchill said in hi s broadcast, that he left the greatest issue to the end. Sir John Dill had given them warning that Hitler might be driven, by economic and other conditions in Europe, to try and invade Britain in the near future. This was a warning which none could disregard. Actually stronger now than ever before, and incomparably stronger than in July, August, and September, the Navy was more powerful and the flotillas more numerous in the air also. Britain was far stronger, actually and relatively, than when British fighter planes beat off and beat down thn Nazi attacks last August. The British Armv was mor? numerous and more mobile and far better equipped and trained than in September, “and still more so than in July. Mr Churchill said he had the greatest confidence in the Command-er-in-Chief and the men of proved ability who were under him, but, most of all, he put his faith in the simple, unaffected resolve to conquer or di e which would animate and inspire nearly four million Britons with serviceable weapons in their hands. It was not an easy military operation to invade an island Hka Great 'Britain without the command of the seas, and without the command of the air, and then, to face what would be waiting on the shore, for the invader.

Mr Churchill stressed th? risk of over-confidence. He said that a Nazi invasion of Britain last Autumn would have been, more or less, an improvided affair. Hitler had taken it for granted that, when France gave in, Britain would give in, but she did not, and Hitler had to think again. Invasion now, he said, would be much more carefully prepared, with landing craft and other apparatus, all of which would have been planned and manufactured during the winter months. They must he prepared to meet gas attacks, parachute attacks, and glider attacks, with constant forethought and practised skill. .

Mr Churchill emphasised that what Sir John Dill had said, and what, he himself had pointed out last year, was that, in order to win the war, Hitler must destroy Great Britain. He might carry havoc to the Balkans, he might tear great provinces out of Russia, he might march to the Caspian, and to the gates to India; but all that would avail him nothing. Mr Churchill said Mr _ Wendell Willkie had brought with him a letter of introduction from Mr Roosevelt, in which th.? President had included a quotalion from Longfenow, which, the President had said, applied to the British as well as to the Americans:

“Thou. too. sail on a ship of State, Sail on a union strong: and great humanity, with all its fears, With all the hopes of future years, Is hanging breathless on thv fate.”

What was the answer that should be sent in th e name of the people of Britain? Mr Churchill asked. That answer would be: “Put your confidence in us! Give us your fa'th, and vour blessing: and. under Providence. all will be well! We shall not fail, or falter. We shall not weaken or tire. Neither the sudden shock of battle, nor long-drawn trials, will wear us down. G ; ve us the too’s, and we shall finish the .job.’’

U.S.A. Senators’ Comments THE SPEECH PRAISED [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] (Received February 10, 7.0 p.m.). WASHINGTON. February 9. Senator G. Glass characterised Mi Churchill’s invasion speech as "magnificent.” He said: ‘‘lt is a damned sight better speech than anyon e in the Senate will make against the Aid Bill.” . , IT , Senator Elbert Thoma 3 said: It proves that blood and sweat can ac complish something!” . Senator Wheeler said: ‘‘lf we are not going to send American boys, why are we buying four and a-ha i million identification tags and one and a-half million caskets?” Senator Wallace White a Republican, described Mr Churchill s speech a „ “full of courage and hope. ’ Senator Sheppard , stated: It was fine and reassuring.

invasion warning Another Issued by home guard head. [AUS. &■ N.Z. Cable Assn.l LONDON, February 7. A new invasion warning has been issued in England, this time by the Inspector-General of the Home Guard (Lieutenant-General F. Eastwood). He said the threat of invasion was very real and serious, but he had no doubt that it would be overcome.He emphasised that by knowing every road, track and gap, and by knowing his district like the back of his hand every member of the Home Guard could play his part in repelling the invader. Home Guardsmen, having found the enemy, must allow him no rest until he either surrendered or was killed. There were nearly 2,000,000 men in the Home Guard, and it was their duty to defend the posts allotted to them and hold them to the last so as to delay the enemy as long as possible. An appeal was made to women to encourage their men to be prepared for every possible emergency. Lieu-tenant-General Eastw’ood said that the women of Britain had been making great sacrifices in months gone by, and he asked them to go on doing so. He concluded by saying that the safety of the people they loved might easily depend on how well the Home Guard did its job.