India's Danger From Air Attack

Manawatu Times, Volume 67, Issue 95, 23 April 1942, Page 5

India's Danger From Air Attack

Nothing Can Stop Us Winning

WAVELL’S UNSHAKEABLE FAITH IN VICTORY Received Wednesday, 7.20 p.m. NEW DELHI, April 21. * ‘Nothing can stop us winning tho war, but defeatism and unreasoning panic may hinder or delay victory,” said General Wavell (Commander-in-Chief in India) in his broadcast. “Wo have a difficult and dangerous period ahead, but I assure you of these things —the Allied Nations’ realisation of India’s danger and the importance ol ! India to the general war effort of tho Allies, resolution to send aid to the Indians and to defeat India to tho utmost and their unshakeable will to fight to the end. If everyone in India faces the danger calmly and works wholeheartedly in this crisis we shall have nothing to fear and the heavy responsibility will be lifted from my shoulders. ’ ’

After referring to tho steps taken to improve India’s defences General Wavell said: “After two and a-half years of fiercely waged war India stands untouched and practically unthreatened, thanks largely to the great exploits of her own gallant troops forming part of the Imperial forces which in Libya and elsewhere have met and defeated the menace from the West.

“Let nothing that happened in Malaya and Burma shake your faith in the fighting powers of the British and [ndians or lead you to think overhighly of the Japanese.” He assured them without hesitation of ultimate victory against Axis aggression and brutality, saying: “Beyond doubt you have on your side the toughest and most enduring races in the world—tho British, Chinese, Russian and American.*’

“Tho immediate danger is an air attack,” said General Wavell. ‘‘However, it is not in the power of the Japanese to bring air attacks against the cities of India on anything approaching the ecale of the German attacks on Britain or our attacks on Germany. Our fighter plane and anti -aircraft defences in the most threatened quarters of India are already strong enough to cause the Japanese raiders heavier losses than they have yet suffered elsewhere.

“PeiAiaps less immediate, although a real danger, is the prospect of an invasion by sea and land. It is impossible to erect defences along the whole immense coastline of India or place soldiers on guard at all points. India will be defended by a powerlui air-striking force which will attack enemy ships as they approach and by a land-striking force which can concentrate rapidly at threatened points. “The British never give in. The Chinese, half-armed, have stubbornly defended their country against upstart Japan and will continue to do so until the .end. Russia has thrown back the German invasion and their endurance is everlasting. America is determined to assist India to tho utmost. It has inexhaustible resources. You need not worry about our victory. The only question is when and how. Tho lessons of Burma and Malaya have been taken to heart and tho mistakes will not be repeated. The stubborn resistance in Burma against superior numbers is proof of the quality of our men.” Finally, General Wavell spoke about the difficulties the enemy would face in invading India—the immensity of the country and the distance of Japanese bases, etc. “They may raid India and seek to occupy a portion of it temporarily, but so long as India remains true to herself she can never be conquered.”