BRITAIN AWAKES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19758, 12 October 1938, Page 5

BRITAIN AWAKES

STRENGTHENING FORCES TERRITORIAL ARMY GRATITUDE TO HITLER MILITARY EXPERT'S VIEWS (Eloc, Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Oct. 12, 9 a.m.) LONDON. Oct. 11. "At last we have done the right thing; one day, perhaps, we will erect a statue to Herr Hitler because he has woken us up." declares the military expert of the Daily Mail, Major-Gen-eral J. F. C. Fuller, in endorsing the announcement of the Secretary for War, Mr. L. Hore-Belisha, concerning the extensive strengthening and reorganisation of the territorial army, equalising it with the regular army.

Mr. Hore-Belisha, in. disclosing the scheme at the City Lieutenants' Club dinner, detailed the provision of light tank, anti-tank, light anti-aircraft regiments and special motor cycle battalions. He referred to the recent partial mobilisation as historic because the forces involved had not previously

been called out prior to a general mobilisation. It included the despatch of SO.OOO territorials to war stations, After a few hours they were ready for action. The personnel disclosed a few defects, but much remained to be done on connection with equipment. Anti-Aircraft Units The # anti-aircraft units now totalled 40,000,' double the number in 1937, which should be redoubled In 1939, when he would have five anti-aircraft divisions instead of two. The territorial field army would be given the same content and placed on the same footing as the regular army. All shortcomings would be made good. The scheme was tactically and economically sound. The two yeomanry brigades would remain and 10 horsed regiments would be held available as divisional cavalry reserves.

"We can form nine divisions on a regular model, three mobile and one motorised divisions with the arms services. No existing units are being disbanded. The territorials will be an up-to-date army capable of reinforcing the regulars, said Mr. Hore-Belisha. Major-Gcneral Fuller comments: "Our defence larder was empty last week. We could not have sent 20,000 soldiers overseas within a month. The territorials could not have supported them within. Herr Hitler just told us to mind our own business. This is to be strong. We have at last made an important move in that direction."

The three territorial divisions would be on a new pattern, highly mobile to the extent to 100 miles daily.

TERRITORIAL NUMBERS

HIGHEST SINCE WAR

(British Official Wireloss.) Reed. noon. RUGBY, Ocl. 10. On October 1 the official strength of the Territorial Army—lß6,6B9 officers and men—was the highest ever recorded since the Great War.

The recruiting figures for September—26lo—also constitute a record for the month.

The anti-aircraft strength has been increased by 686 officers and men.