HON. CHURCHILL

Hokitika Guardian, 20 May 1940, Page 6

HON. CHURCHILL

• a Broadcast *PEECH..i (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph— Copyright). (Received this day at 12 noon), LONDON, May 19. Hon. W. Churchill in a broadcast, said in the tremendous battle raging in France and Flanders, the Germans have broken through the French defences north of the Maginot Line, a»d strong armoured columns are ravaging in open country. The Germans penetrated deeply ami spread alarm and confusion in their track. The regrouping of the French armies is proceeding assisted by magnificent fleets of R.A.F. planes. “We must not allow ourselves to be intimidated bv presence of armouered vehicles behind our lines,” said Mr Churchill. “The French at many points are also in a dangerous position. The whole s.cene may be suddenly transformed.” Mr Churchill added that it would be foolish to disguise the gravity of the hour. We may confidently expect stabilisation of the front in France. The relative balance of British and German air forces is now considerable morel favourable to us that at the outset of the battle. My confidence in our ability to fight to a finish with the German Air Force has been strengthened by the fierce encounters which have dccurred, and are still occurring. After this battle in France abates, there will come battle for this island. We shan’t hesitate to take every step to obtain from our people the last ounce and last inch of effort of which they are capable. Only a very small part of the French Army has been heavily engaged and only a very small part of France invaded. Practically all of Germany’s specialised forces have been thrown into the battle, and the heaviest of losses have been inflicted on them. The armies must cast away the idea of resisting attack behind concrete lines or natural obstacles, and realise that mastery can only be regained by furious, unrelenting assault. This spirit must inspire every fighting man.” (Received this day at 12.10 a.m.) LONDON, May 19. In, the air, even at odds believed to be overwhelming, we have been clawing down three or four to one. Simultaneously, our striking a|fc the root of German mechanised power, has already seriously damaged oil refineries *on which the Nazi effort to dominate the world, directly depends. Wo must expect as soon as stability is reached on the Western Front, that the hideous apparatus of aggression will be turned upon us. We are- ready to face it. endure it; arid i retaliate to any extent that, unwritten laws permit. One bond unites is all—to wage war till victory is won and never surrender ourselves to servitude and , shame, whatever the cost'aiid agony 3 mky be.'