Main Fight Against Japan to Conte

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 223, 20 September 1943, Page 5

Main Fight Against Japan to Conte

KNOX’S FINE TRIBUTE TO BRITAIN Received Sunday, 9.50 n.m. LONDON, Sept. 18. 44 We must remember that where the Australians are fighting are only outposts that are being broken down,” said the United States Navy Secretary (Colonel Knox) interviewed in London. Colonel Knox previously paid a high tribute'to Australia’s war effort. He added: “The main fighting against the Japanese is to come and will be leng and hard.” Questioned about the effects of events in the Mediterranean upon the Pacific, Colonel Knox said the release of surface vessels in the Mediterranean should contribute increased strength to the whole of the Indian and Pacific Oceans theatre. Referring to American shipbuilding, Colonel Kncx said the number of combatant vessels which would be launched in 1943 would equal the total strength of the United States’ combatant vessels at the end of 1942. “It would be a very serious error to assume that the U-boat menace had. disappeared,” added Colonel Knox. “We have given the U-boats a good shellacking, but they will be back for more and we shall be waiting for them. They are probably now equipping for fresh onslaughts.’ ’ Paying tribute to Britain for standing alone against a horde of enemies, Colonel Knox said: “She saved the world, and come what may the rest of the world will always owe Britain a debt for that. No matter how much we may contribute to the fight it will always be present in every thoughtful American mind that in the grimmest part of the crisis Britain stood unyielding and alone. I am glad to be able to say that to the British people and I wanted to say it long ago.”