“HOLD SINGAPORE”

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 6 December 1940, Page 5

“HOLD SINGAPORE”

BRITAIN’S DEFENCES IN FAR EAST FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH C.-IN-C. TO VISIT NEW ZEALAND i [U.P.A.-By Electric Telegraph-Copyright] ! Received 6th Dec., 9.40 a.m. SINGAPORE, sth December. The British C.-in-C. in the Far East, Sir Robert Brooke-Popham, expects to visit Australia and New Zealand. This and other interesting facts were revealed in an interview in which Sir Robert Brooke-Popham recalled a lunchjeon with Mr Churchill at which he, Sir John Dill, Chief of the General Staff, and Air Chief Marshal Sir Cyril Newall were present before his departure from ! London. j “Mr Churchill, who is extremely well-informed on all aspects of the situation in the Far lEast told me that we must hold

Singapore no matter what happens,” said Sir Robert. “He said I could rest assured that there would be a continuous and steady flow of men and munitions to the countries under my command and no effort would be spared to make Singapore, Malay and all other British countries as strong and well defended as was humanly possible. “I feel sure Britain will continue to grow in strength in the Far Fast. We may expect reinforcements of men and material a stronger army and bigger air force. A lot has already been done in this direction recently and the trend will continue. It is an inspiring thought that the home country can still afford to strengthen the Empire’s outlying defences at a moment when she is fighting for her very existence.”