LONG, ELABORATE PREPARATIONS

Southland Times, Issue 24599, 22 November 1941, Page 7

LONG, ELABORATE PREPARATIONS

Nazis Met On Equal

Terms

| (8.0.W.) RUGBY, November 20. ' “This offensive has been long and elaborately prepared,” was how the Prime Minister, Mr Winston Churchill, put it in a House of Commons statement. “We waited for nearly five months in order that the army should be well equipped with all the weapons that have made their mark in this war. If, in this case, the enemy's armour is destroyed or seriously defeated and his air power is dominated the plight of his infantry and artillery crowded in the coastal regions will evidently be serious. “The object of the British and Empire offensive is not so much to occupy this or that locality, but to destroy the army and primarily the armoured forces of the enemy. One thing is certain, the British and Empire troops are animated by a long pent-up and ardent desire to engage the enemy, feeling as we all do that this is the first time that we have met the Germans at least equally wellarmed.

“There is nothing in the world like the war conditions prevailing in the Libyan Desert in which swift, far ranging movements are only possible by the extraordinary use of armour, air power or the power of mechanization. The conditions in many respects are like those of war at sea. The encounter, when it is achieved, is like a clash of fleets and flotillas and, as in a sea battle, all may be settled one way or the other in the course of a few I hours. HEAVY RAINFALL “For this purpose the Army of the Western Desert took up its preliminary station on a broad front from the sea to the Jarabub oasis and all was in readiness by nightfall on Monday. The rainfalls which began on Tuesday morning and are now hampering the movement of our forces appear to have been far heavier in the coastal region than in the desert and may well prove more harmful to the enemy than to us. During Tuesday our army made contact with the enemy outposts at many points and it seemed certain that the enemy had been completely surprised. “The Desert Army is now favourably situated for a trial of strength. It is evident that the next few days will see developments which may include many highly interesting features. It is not known whether this trial has actually begun, but evidently it cannot long be delayed. “It is too soon to indulge in exultation. General Auchinleck has made a brilliant, and successful strategic approach and has taken positions of marked advantage. All depends on the battles which follow.”

MR CHURCHILL SENDS MESSAGE

(Rec. 8.55 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 20. Mr Winston Churchill’s message to the army and the Royal Air Force in the Western Desert and the Mediterranean Fleet before the beginning of the Libyan offensive stated: “The King has commanded me to express his confidence that all ranks will do their duty with exemplary devotion in the supremely important battle lying before them. For the first time British and Empire troops meet the Germans with ample equipment in modern weapons of all kinds. The battle itself will affect the whole course of the war. Now is the time to strike the hardest blow yet struck for final victory, home and freedom. _ The Desert Army may add a page to history which will rank with Blenheim and Waterloo. The eyes of all the nations are upon you and all our hearts are with you. May God uphold the right.” RESTRAINED OPTIMISM IN ANKARA (Rec. 8.10 p.m.) ANKARA, Nov. 20. Orchestras in night clubs struck up “There’ll Always be an England” when news of the Libyan offensive was received. Political circles are delighted, but they are restraining their optimism as they realize that the British are fighting not only the Italians, but the Germans.