THE ANZACS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24255, 25 March 1940, Page 9

THE ANZACS

DISEMBARKATION IN EGYPT RESERVES IN MIDDLE EAST By Major-general Sir Charles Gwynn Feb. 16. The arrival of the Australians and New Zealanders in Palestine and Egypt is welcome not only as a proof of the unity of the Empire, but as .a substantial addition to our military strength.. Why have they disembarked in Egypt? One good reason is that Egypt and [Palestine provide admirable train, ing grounds which England in winter —ami already crowded with troops—does not. . , How long will they remain in the Middle East? That will depend on Hitler and Stalin. I imagine. All we know at present is that pending developments, the Allies think it wise to maintain a substantial reserve there. It is composed of many nationalities, under General Weygand’s command. In Egypt and Palestine, British, Indians, contingents from Cyprus and Malta, and how the Anzacs, are united under General Wavell. In Syria; there is a strong French contingent. Further north again .there .is the Turkish Army ready to co-operate. . The Muslim World Supports the Allies ; ■ What changes have occurred in the Middle East since the Anzacs were there; in the last war? Then, the Muslim world was divided and a large part of it fought for Germany, threatening Egypt from two sides and engaging great numbers.of our troops in Palestine, and Mesopotamia. ■ To-day. the Muslim world is wholeheartedly in sympathy with the Allies —in- India, Afghanistan, Irak, Saudi Arabia, the Transjordan, and. above all, Turkey. * The Arab kingdoms have renewed their traditional friendship with us. If the Allies are on such good terms with their neighbours in the East, why is the presence of a strong force there advisable? [Perhaps its main object is to act as a deterrent; as a proof that our alliance with Egypt, and the AngloFrench guarantees to Turkey and Rumania, are no mere scraps of paper; and as the centre from which help could be brought to Britain’s friends should the war spfead. The Gallant Turk It would be strange if these new Anzacs found themselves sailing through the Dardanelles, which their predecessors fought so hard to force, but this time to , fight alongside the Turk, not against him. They would find the Turk the same gallant fighting man that he has always been, but now better trained and equipped. Kemal Ataturk is no longer there to lead, but the influence of a man of - his genius does not cease with his death. The present President, Inonu, is a professional soldier, and was Kemal Ataturk’s right hand man as Prime Minister. We may feel confident that Turkish armies will be well commanded. One last thought. If the Middle East reserve is called into action it will be against the chief enemy. It will be no side-show. How many army corps will the friendship of the Muslim world therefore mean to the Allies in the decisive struggle as compared with the last war? For answer, add those; which Turkey might now contribute to the number which in the last war she saved Germany from having to meet. Strategic Policy in This War and the Last Early in the war, Mr Chamberlain assured us that the strategic policy of the Government would be guided by the .advice of the professional heads of the fighting services. Last week he explained the mach- ' inery set up to ensure that advice would be systematically given and properly co-ordinated. Fortunately, the machinery of the Committee of Imperial Defence was ready to his hand for adaptation to war conditions. Since the last, war, the Chiefs of the Staff of the three services have served regularly on a sub-committee of the C.1.D., and the sub-committee has of recent years been strengthened by the addition of an impartial chairman in the person of the Minister for Co-ordination of Defence. It has now been brought into direct service of the War Cabinet. A ministerial, committee composed fo the Minister of Co-ordination of Denfence and the ministerial heads of the three services has also been set up with the three Chiefs of Staff as advisers. /' A Lesson Learnt With this machinery we should be confident that no enterprise will be undertaken without full consideration of its effect on the' activities of .all three services, on our man power, our shipping, and industrial resources Decisions should be more rapidly arrived at, but snap decisions based on ignorance are impossible. In fact, many of the misunderstandings and mistakes of the last war which led to desperate waste of war effort should be avoided. Above all, we may hope that, the position and responsibilities of each being' well defined, relations between statesmen and their professional advisers will be happier than in the last war.,