MR CHURCHILL’S WAR REVIEW

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21805, 7 November 1940, Page 5

MR CHURCHILL’S WAR REVIEW

Gathering Strength For Initiative British Official Wireless RUGBY, November 5. In his first speech' in the House of Commons since Italy attacked Greece, the Prime Minister (Mr Churchill) referred to the position of Greece, the war in the Mediterranean and the Near East, the attack on Britain and the battering of the invasion ports. Mr Churchill began his eagerly awaited statement on the war situation by a review of the progress of the German air attacks since September 4, when Hitler declared that it was his will to wipe out the cities of Britain. Mr Churchill said he did not doubt that the Nazi leader at that time sincerely believed that it was in his power to carry his will into effect, but the cities of Britain were still standing, although 14,000 civilians had been killed and 20,000 seriously injured—nearly four-fifths of them in the capital. A great deal of house property had been destroyed and damaged, but nothing which could not be covered oy the Government's insurance scheme. Very little damage had been done to munition and aircraft production although a certain amount of time had been lost through air raid warnings. This lost time would have to be made up as the country settled down to new conditions. None of the services upon which the life of great cities depend—water, fuel, electricity, gas, and sewerage had treken down. On the contrary, although thefe must inevitably be local shortages, all i he authorities concerned with these vital functions of a modern community felt on top of their job. Transport had presented a greater difficulty, but the problems were being solved in a manner tolerable to the great numbers of people who came in and out of the great cities every day, said the Prime Minister. Shelters were being multiplied and improved. Of the spirit of the people, the Prime Minister said: “In these vicissitudes the bearing of our people, not only in London, but Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester and other places, has gained the unstinted admiration of all classes throughout the British Empire and the United States and, so far as they have been allowed to hear about it, many of the peoples of the captive countries." The House heard with particular interest, in view of the caution .of his earlier statements, the declaration of Mr Churchill that “There was no coubt that the full maiice and power of the enemy and his bombing force had been employed against us. They have tried their best to obey Hitler's orders, but the scale of their attack has dwindled.” Enemy Air Attack Weakens “The weekly scale of casualties, killed and seriously wounded, was for September 4500, and for October 3500," continued the Prime Minister. “In the first week of the intensive bombardment in September there were 6000 casualties, and in the last week of October 2000. This diminution in the scale of attack was not entirely due to the weather. The weather, no doubt, has a lot to do with it, but there are other things going on besides which play their part, and which, I believe, will play a greater part as the months pass by. The House will not wish me to go into technical details.” Putting the proportion of enemy losses t British at three machines to one and six pilots to one, Mr Churchill observed: “Obviously this process, combined with our own rapidly increasing production and production in the Empire and the United States of aircraft and airmen—obviously this process is much the quickest road to our reaching that parity in the air which has always been considered the minimum for our safety, and thereafter the superiority in the air which is an indispensable precursor to victory.” Mr Churchill concluded this part of his statement with characteristic words: “Surveying the whole scene alike in its splendour and devastation, I see no reason to regret that Hitler tried to break the British spirit by the brutal bombing of cities and our countryside.” Greece Given All Possible Aid The Prime Minister was followed with the closest attention when he was dealing with the Mediterranean and aid to Greece. He said: “We have already established a naval and air base at Crete, which will enable us sensibly to extend our activities and the radius of the Navy and Air Force. Wemave begun bombing attacks on military objectives in cities and bases in the south of Italy. That will continue on an ever-growing scale. “I would also say that forces are in movement with a desire to help Greece to the utmost of our capacity, having regard to our other obligations. I hope I shall not be asked to give any other account of such measures as we are able to take. If I were to set them too high I should raise false hopes. If I set them too low I might cause undue despondency. If I said only what they were that would be exactly what the enemy would like to know. We shall do what we can. That is all I can say. “Our new task confronting us, with a possible attempt at the invasion of Britain, must be approached with a strong sense of the responsibility resting on the British Government. One gigantic enemy army is across the Channel, and another very powerful enemy army is on the Libyan frontier." As to the circumstances of the Italian movement against Greece, Mr Churchill emphasised the care with which the British Government had refrained from any action likely to impose upon the Greeks the enmity of the criminal dictators, and that for their part the Greeks had maintained so strict a neutrality that the British Government was unacquainted with its intentions and dispositions. “The Greek King, his Government, and his people have resolved to fight for their life and honour,” he continued. “France and Britain guaranteed to go to the aid of Greece if she were the victim of unprovoked aggression. It was a joint agreement, but, unhappily, the Vichy Government was engaged at this moment in loyal collaboration with Hitler and his scheme for establishing a so-called new order in Europe. At any rate, the Vichy Government Is no longer in a position to play an effective part in the task it had accepted.”