SOUTH AFRICAN TROOPS

Southland Times, Issue 25024, 9 April 1943, Page 5

SOUTH AFRICAN TROOPS

ARMOURED FORCES FORMED

(Rec. 7 p.m.) CAPE TOWN, April 7. “It will not be long before South African troops have again taken their place in the North African battle,” said the Prime Minister, General J. C. Smuts, addressing the Senate. He added that it was decided to convert the South African forces into armoured forces, which meant recalling the Ist Division not only for leave, but also for training. Some of them had alalready returned to North Africa. “South Africa is in the war to the end and will continue to do her best to secure victory,” General Smuts said. “South Africa has to rely on the United States more and more for exports, but it should be remembered that a great number of other countries also have to depend on America for supplies. The question of supply remains one of the Union’s principal difficulties. The American Government realized that a stage would-be reached where American industry would be slowed down because of the inability of other countries to pay for the goods supplied. It was not merely philanthropy that caused the United States to undertake the Lease-Lend system. It was probably introduced for two reasons, first, to help the Allies and, second, to keep American industry going. It was a magnificent gesture which made possible many things which otherwise would have been impossible. “The United States Government has taken into account the Union’s contribution to the general cause,” said the Prime Minister. “There is no question of providing America with naval and military bases. I am quite sure, the United States would not ask any such concession.

“South'Africa has reached a stage where, without turning from the main problem of winning the war, she can give attention to what is going to happen after the war. The war may end suddenly—although I do not expect it tomorrow—and catch the Union unprepared.”

ITALY AFRAID OF INVASION DEVASTATING ALLIED RAID LONDON, April 7. According to the Zurich correspondent of The Evening Standard, Naples is to be evacuated. Telephone communication in Naples has broken down and rescue squads are still working in the piles of wreckage, following the daylight raid of 100 Flying Fortresses. Reports fror . Stockholm say that all Southern Italy is in a state of alert as a result of the devastating Allied air raids on Naples and Sicily. The Italians believe that the Allied raids are a prelude to the invasion of Italy. The Daily Express’ Stockholm correspondent lists these “invasion” reports: (1) German armoured trains are being rushed south to form a mobile defence system.

(2) Italian newspapers are giving prominence to stories of an antiinvasion secret weapon.

(3) The Black Shirt militia has been formed into special squads to deal with paratroops and saboteurs. (4) The Italian Government has adopted regulations putting all civilians under martial law in the event of invasion.

An Italian communique says that serious damage was done in the Allied

raid on Tuesday on Trapani and Mes - sina in Sicily. Forty-six persons were killed and 109. injured. Spitfires this morning destroyed a Junkers 88 off southern Sicily and Malta’s fighter-bombers attacked Ragusa in the same area. NEW ZEALANDERS’ PART PRAISE GIVEN IN CAIRO (Official War Correspondent) CAIRO, April 6. The prominent part played by the New Zealanders in crashing the Mareth Line was clearly recognized in Cairo. The British and Egyptian Press ran headlines: “Kiwis stage repetition of El Alamein and El Agheila breakthroughs, leading the way for the Bth Army.” Tributes have been paid also by business men and civilians. There are many queries why the New Zealanders are the best fighting soldiers and the only answer is their spirit of independence, their physical fitness and their desire to deal with the enemy in a proper manner without prolonging the war. Base trainees are basking in the reflected glory of the division and they are proud of their comrades’ achievements. FRENCH”FACTIONS “Unity Is On Its Way” (Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, April 7. General Honore Giraud’s spokesman, broadcasting from Morocco radio, declared: “General Giraud and General de Gaulle have shaken hands. The gesture will bear fruit. Unity of the empire is on its way. Its benefits will soon become evident in the military sphere. •AU the French armed forces fighting the Axis wfil fight under a single command.” TURKISH MISSION SEES NEW ZEALANDERS (Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, April 7. Reuters Cairo correspondent reports that four officers of the Turkish military mission now in Egypt visited the base camp in which New Zealanders are engaged in intensive training. They watched the infantry, also specialist courses and assault work.