Churchill Reveals Scope, Success Of Initial Armada

Northern Advocate, 7 June 1944, Page 6

Churchill Reveals Scope, Success Of Initial Armada

LONDON, June 6

MR. CHURCHILL WAS GREETED WITH TREMENDOUS ENTHUSI ASM IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS WHEN HE ANNOUNCED THE LANDINGS IN EUROPE. “DURING THE NIGHT AND THE EARLY HOURS OF THE MORNING THE FIRST SERIES OF LANDINGS IN FORCE ON THE EUROPEAN CONTL NENT OCCURRED,” HE SAID. “IN THIS CASE THE ASSAULT FELL ON THE COAST OF FRANCE. AN EVL MENSE ARMADA OF UPWARDS OP 40C0 SHIPS, WITH SEVERAL THOU SAND SMALLER CRAFT, CROSSED THE CHANNEL.

Massed air-borne landings were successfully effected behind the enemy’s lines and landings on the

beaches at present are proceeding at various parts. “Fire from shore batteries has been largely quelled. “Obstacles which were constructed in the sea did not prove so difficult as apprehended. “The Anglo-American Allies are sustained by about 11,000 firstline planes, which can be drawn upon as they may be needed for the purposes of battle. I cannot, of course, commit myself on any particular detail—reports are coming in in rapid succession—but so far the commanders engaged report everything is proceeding according to plan. There already are hopes that actual tactical surprise was attained. “We hope during the course of fighting to furnish the enemy with a succession of surprises.

BROTHERHOOD IN ARMS “The battle, which is now beginning, with grow constantly in scale and intensity for many weeks to come. I shall not attempt to speculate upon its course. “But this I may say—complete unity prevails throughout the Allied armies. (Cheers.) There is a brotherhood in arms between us and our friends in the United States. There is complete confidence in General Eisenhower and his lieutenants, also in General Montgomery. The ardour and spirit of the troops, as I saw them myself embarking- in these last few days, was splendid.

NOTHING NEGLECTED “This vast operation undoubtedly is the most complicated and difficult which has ever occurred. Nothing that equipment, scifnce and forethought can do has been neglected. The whole process of opening this great new front is being pursued with the utmost resolution by both commanders and the British and American Governments whom they serve.” After declaring the fall of Rome was a memorable and glorious event, rewarding the intense fighting of the last five months in Italy, Mr Churchill said losses on both sides in the Anzio beachhead action were heavy. They totalled 20,000 Allies and about 25.000 enemy.

STILL BETTER TIDINGS

The Prime Minister in a second statement to the House of Commons said: “If can state that the operation is proceeding in a thoroughly satisfactory manner. MANY DANGERS AND DIFFICULTIES WHICH, THIS TIME LAST NIGHT, APPEARED EXTREMELY FORMIDABLE ARE BEHIND US. “THE PASSAGE OF THE SEA HAS BEEN MADE WITH FAR LESS LOSS THAN WE APPREHENDED.

“The resistance of batteries has been greatly weakened by the bombing of the airforces, and the superior bombardment of our ships quickly reduced their fire to dimensions which did net affect the problem. “Landing cf troops on a broad front along the whole front has been effected, and troops have penetrated, in some eases, several miles inland.

EXTREMELY LITTLE LOSS

“Lodgments exist of airborne troops whic hwere, of course, on a scale far larger than anything seen so far in the world. These landings took place with extremely little loss and with great accuracy.

“Particular anxiety attached to them because of the conditions of light prevailing in the very limited period of dawn and just befere dawn. The conditions of visibility made ail the difference.” TROOPS WELL ESTABLISHED The Prime Minister concluded his second statement in the House cf Commons by saying: “It might easily have been that something happened at the last minute that would have prevented airborne troops playing their part. A very great degree of risk had to be taken in respect of the weather, but General Eisenhower’s courage is equal to all necessary decisions that have te be taken in these extremely difficult, uncontrollable matters.

‘Air borne troops are well established, and landings and fol-low-ups are all proceeding with very much less loss than expected. Fighting is proceeding- at various paints and ,we have captured bridges which were net blown up by the enemy.

“There is fighting in the town cf Caen and inland, but all this, although of course a very valuable and vitally essential first step has given no indication of what may be the course -of the.. battle

in the next few days or weeks because the enemy wil Inow probably endeavour to concentrate on this area, and, in that event, fighting will scon begin and will continue without any end so long as we can push troops in and the enemy can bring troops up. This is, therefore, a most serious time and we are upon it with- out great Allies, all in good friendship,"