Mo Breathing Space if War Comes

Northern Advocate, 10 March 1948, Page 5

Mo Breathing Space if War Comes

LONDON. Tue. (1 p.m.)—The British Army would be reduced to 527,000 men and women by April .1, and 339,000 by March, 1949, said the Secretary for War (Mr Shinwell). presenting the Army Estimates in the House of Commons today.

Two hundred thousand of the total strength would, it was hoped, be volunteers to the regular army. "Since the end of the war, 2.645,000 officers and men have been demobilised, but 1948 will see the end of demobilisation,” he said. “We must now look to the future. “We cannot hope, if war comes, to gain a breathing space in which to build up and train our land forces. “The shock will be sharp and sudden.”

Mr Shinwcll said the Government therefore had decided to maintain the Army's strength by stimulating the How of trained and disciplined men from national service units to the Territorial Army. The national army would thus be composed of regulars, territorials and a national service element. MEN STILL NEEDED

Mr Shinwcll warned against the idea that the discovery of modern and more deadly weapons had destroyed the army's value.

"Scientists may have produced weapons of mass destruction, but none which so far obviates the need for I land fighting,” he said. “The idea that in a future war all that will be needed is to press a button is not supported by an evidence we have.” Mr Shinwell said that if another war came the country must rely on territorials to provide the bulk of Britain’s anti-aircraft and coast defences, reinforcements for overseas garrisons, and probably an equipped field force for service anywhere. Neither regulars nor national servicemen were sufficient by themselves to provide adequate forces to defend the United Kingdom. Mr Shinwell added that Britain’s inescapable overseas commitments were likely to continue for some time. It would be foolish not to take precautions to safeguard these interests, both at home and abroad.

SCRATCHINGS. —Trcntham scratchmgs today were: Autumn Handicap, Robin’s Reward. Railway Handicap, Franada. Both at 9 a.m. today.