PALESTINE ARMY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24372, 9 August 1940, Page 6

PALESTINE ARMY

"TURN WILL COME" COMMANDER'S FIGHTING SPEECH GAZA, July 30. Soldiers throughout Palestine, including every member of the A.1.D., were assembled round wireless sets this afternoon to hear an address by the General Officer Commanding British Forces in Palestine. Majorgeneral Godwin-Austen. In a short fighting speech, which created a great impression among the Australian's, he emphasised the important role being played bv troops in Palestine. "Everyone of you yearns to get into action," he said. "You will get your chance of killing as many Germans as anybody. You will play your part in the final victory. "If the Germans trv conclusions with England, they will inevitably be shattered, and if baffled in the west, they will turn to the east with their wretched collection of Italian servants. Then it will be your turn. "At present you are guarding a vital pipeline. You are protecting the Suez canal. You are keeping the peace in a country where, if you left, German agents would, as they did before, create disorder and bloodshed, and open the way for a German occupation. "No longer are we protected on the north by a strong ally in Syria. If there are disorders in Syria, where the Germans are doing their best to foment them, then it will be your task to prevent disorders from spreading." At the conclusion of the address massed bands played the National Anthem, and every soldier of Palestine—British, Australian, French, Czech, Polish and Spanish—sprang to attention.