FOR INVASION

Grey River Argus, 10 June 1943, Page 5

FOR INVASION

ALLIED PREPARATIONS “AMPHIBIOUS ACTION” SOON Mr Churchill s Speech NEXT GREATEST BATTLES EXPECTED IN RUSSIA LAust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON, June 8. Mr Churchill, speaking in the House of Commons this morning, said: “I shall make no predictions about the future except to say that it is evident that amphibious operations of peculiar complexity and hazard, .and on a large scale, are approaching. Complete agreement was reached in the Washington talks, about future steps. I shall not speculate as to what we might be able to do in the future, still less in the near future, but J. can say that Allied policy, strategy and economy were brought into full focus during the discussions. The operations now impending in the European theatre have been fitted into their proper place in the scheme of the war. On his visit to the forces in North Africa he had gained an impression of extraordinary eagerness and zeal to engage the enemy again. As the Allied war effort passed into the offensive phase, the scale and pace of operations grey more vigorous and consultations had become necessary. At Washington the whole expanse of the world war, on which the mellow light of victory had begun to play, had been laid open. We had shown that we could work together and we had shown that we could face disaster We had still to show that we could be worthy of good fortune. Perhaps that might be the hardest task of all. A steady wearing down of the German and Italian air forces had been proceeding relentlessly and the enemy was now finding in tne air war, which he had thought would bring him victory, the first cause ot his ruin. Nothing would turn the Allies from intensifying bombing from the air. “It is necessary to make it plain so that so far as Britain. the Dominions, America and Russia are concerned, nothing can turn us from our endeavour and intention to accomplish the complete destruction of our foes by bombing from the air, in addition to all other methods. Loud lamentations and outcries are being made by the enemy now that this form of warfare, by which they sought to obtain mastery of the world has turned markedly to their disadvantage. These outcries will be only regarded by us as a very satisfactory proof of , the growing efficiency of our attack.” He continued: As the Allied war effort passes into the offensive phase, as ' its scale and pace continually grow, more frequent consultations between the Staffs of those concerned with high control, become necessary. One cannot doubt that Stalingrad and Tunisia are the greatest military disasters ever to have befallen Germany in all the wars she has made. There is no doubt from the statement by captured Generals that Hitler dxpected the Tunisian army to hold out at least until August.’ and that this was the view and intention of the German High Command. The operations now impending in the European theatre have been fitted into their proper place in relation to the general war. I am sorry it has not yet been possible to bring in council Premier Stalin, or other representatives of our great ally Russia, which is bearing the heaviest burdens and paying by far the highest price in blood and life. -On the Russian front.” Mr Churchill added, "there are 190 German and 20 satellite divisions, and it is here that the greatest battles seem to be impending.”

THE U-BOAT CAMPAIGN Speaking of the war against U-boats, Mr Churchill said that from every point of view May had been the best month since the United States was attacked. Building had exceeded losses by more than three to one. The first week of June, though it was not to be taken as a criterion, had been the best ever. THE FRENCH. He said that the Allied Governments had not intervened in the discussions between de Gaulle and Giraud, and future dealings will be with the French Committee of National Liberation upon the members of which lay the greatest responsibility. They had only to sink thendifferences to ensure the rebirth ot France. “We rejoice in the new French agreement,” he added. NORTH AFRICAN CASUALTIES Mr Churchill stated that the number of Axis prisoners taken in the Tunisian campaign was 248,000 —an increase of 24,000 on the figure previously announced. The losses sustained by the Ist and Bth Armies during the campaign had been severe, the total in killed, wounded and missing being 35,000. The casualties in the Sth Army since it crossed the border into Tunisia were about 11,500 and those of the Ist Army were about 23,500. More than 50,000 of the enemy had been killed. More than half ‘the prisoners were Germans, and of the Axis forces in Tunisia only 638 had escaped. , The House of Commons gave Mr i Churchill a wonderful welcome as he walked to the treasury benches this morning. He made Parliamentary history when he concluded his Commons war review, by explaining the reason why he had not to make a longer speech was that he had al* ready given the joint session of the Congress of the United States a statement which he should have made to the Commons on the Tunisian victories, had he been in England. “When I found myself walking into the august assembly, the free Congress of the most powerful'community in the world, and when I gave them exactly as I would do in this House, a businesslike stocktaking survey of the war .and our joint interests, even touching on matters of domestic controversy over there, and when I thought of our common history and hopes that lie before us. I thought this was an age of memorable importance to mankind.” The ship which took Mr Churchill to I America carried nearly four hundred German prisoners, including high officers. . Mr Churchill had his first, audience with the King at Buckingham Palace to-day, since his departure for America. He gave His Majesty a full account of his visit to Washington and North Africa. Sir Dudley Pound, General Alexander and Sir C. . Portal. ■’