IN THE FRONT LINE

Opotiki News, Volume III, Issue 315, 25 September 1940, Page 1

IN THE FRONT LINE

BRITAIN BRACED FOR BATTLE KING’S BROADCAST TO PEOPLE PRAISE FOR COURAGE OF NATION HEROES OF CIVILIAN POPULATION “THERE’LL ALWAYS BE AN ENGLAND’’ (News by Cable.) RUGBY, Sept. 23. His Majesty the King, in a broadcast this evening heard by the whole of the world said: — “It is just over a year now since the. war began. The British peoples entered it with open eyes, recognising how formidable were the forces against them, but confident in the justice of their cause. “Now, after a year, let us consider together where we stand. Much has happened since September, 1939. Great nations have fallen. The battle at that time was so far away that we could only just hear its rumblings. Now at our very doors the armies of invasion are massed across the Channel, only 20 miles from our shores. The air fleets of the enemy launch their attacks day and night against our citibs. We stand in the front line to champion those liberties and traditions' that are our heritage. “As we brace ourselves for battle, there is much to encourage us. We have with us brave contingents from the forces of our Allies. We have behind us the goodwill of all who love freedom. Our friends in America have shown us this 1 in many ways, not the least by their gifts for the relief of suffering in this war nearer home.

Sacrifices That Will Bring Victory.

“In the British commonwealth itself the struggle of the Mother Country has been made" the struggle’" of the whole family. From every part of it men and material are coming in an increasing flow and there is an eager desire to share in the sacrifices which will bring us victory.

“In this battle for Britain, London the mighty capital of the Enipire, occupies the forefront. Others of our cities are being subjected to barbarous attacks. Our sympathy goes out to them all, but it is London that is for the time being bearing the brunt of the enemy’s spite.

“I am speaking now from Buckingham Palace, with its honourable scars, to Londoners first of all, though of course my words apply equally to all British cities, towns and hamlets which are enduring the same dangers. The Queen and I have been in many places here which have been most heavily bombed and where many of our people have suffered and arc suffering most. Our hearts are with them to-night. Their courage and cheerfulness, their faith in their country’s cause and final victory, are an inspiration to the rest to persevere. “To the men ami women who carry on tlio work of the A.R.P. services, 1 should like to say a special word of gratitude. The devotion of these eivilian workers, firemen, salvage men, and many others, in the face of grave and constant danger has won new renoun for the British name. These men and women are worthy partners of our armed forces and our police—of the navy, once more as so often before, our sure shield, and the merchant navy, of the army and Home Guard, alert and eager to repel any invader, and the air force whose exploits are the wonder of the world. Nation on Guard and in the Line “To-night, indeed, we are a nation on guard and in the line. Each task, each bit of duty done, however simple and domestic, is part of our war work. It ranks with the sailors’ duty, the soldiers’ and airmen’s duty. Men and women in factories or on railways who work on regardless of danger though the sirens sound, maintaining all the services and necessities of common life and keeping the fighting line well supplied with weapons', earn their place among the heroes of this war. No less honour is due to all those who, night after night, uncomplainingly endure discomfort, hardship, and peril in their homes and shelters. “Many and glorious arc the deeds

of gallantry done during those perilous but famous days; In order that they should be worthily and promptly recognised, I have decided to create at once a newmark of honour for men and women in all walks of civilian life. I propose to give my name to a new distinction which will consist of the George Gross, ranking next to the Victoria Cross, and the George Medal for wider distribution. “As' we look around us we. sec on every side that in the hour of trial, the mother city is proving herself to be built as a city of unity in itself. It is not the walls that make a city but the people who live within. The walls of London may be battered, but the spirit of Londoners stands resolute and undismayed. Out of Trials will come Victory. “As in London, so throughout Britain. Buildings rich in beauty and historic interest may be wantonly attacked. Humbler houses, no no less dear and familiar, may be destroyed. But ‘there’ll always be an England’ to stand before the world as the symbol and citadel of freedom and to be our cwn dear homa

“And here I would like to tell sorrowing parents how deeply we grieve for them in the loss of their young ones in the ship torpedoed in mid-Atlantic. Surely the world w’ll have no clearer proof of the wickedness against which we fight than this foul deed. “We ove in grim tunes, and uuy be the future will be griinme- jet. Winter lies before us, cold and daik, but let us be of good cheer. Alter winter comes spring, anl after our present trials v ill assuredly, come victory and release from these evil things. Let us then put our trust, a s I do, in God and in the unconquerable spirit of the British people.”