NOW ARMED AND READY

Timaru Herald, Volume CL, Issue 22063, 9 September 1941, Page 5

NOW ARMED AND READY

Britain’s Remarkable

Deliverances

British Official Wireless

(Rec. 7.21). RUGBY, Sept. 7. The unexpected successes and deliverances enjoyed by the British people in two years of war were recalled in a speech by Brigadier-General Lord Croft (Under-Secretary of State for War).

Thrice before, he said, had the nation been called to prayer. The first occasion was when it looked as if the fine British army in France was irretrievably lost and Britain was facing the greatest tragedy in the military history of the British race. The first miracle followed immediately. Dunkirk. Next Britain was invaded from the air—a necessary prelude to invasion from the sea seeking Britain’s destruction when she had no equipment or army to stem the onslaught. Though outnumbered the R.A..’. swept the enemy from the skies in a battle on the outcome of which hung the fate of civilisation. The impossible was achieved. The second day of prayer was September 8. There followed a great night invasion and slaughter of civilians from the air in a supreme effort to break their morale. Never before has great masses of people undergone such a bombardment as the citizens of London and other large cities but nothing could break their spirit. Simultaneously in East Africa our lifeline to the East, to Australia and India was threatened by more than 500,000 well-equipped Italians. Our armies, one-quarter of those of the enemy, Inflicted great defeats In the Western Desert and East Africa. The third day of national prayer was March 23 last. Last spring we conquered the whole of Somaliland, Eritrea and Abyssinia and took twice as many prisoners as our total forces. Matapan and the sinking of the Bismarck followed.

Since then we have suppressed the rebellion in Iraq, swept the Vichy French from Syria and forestalled the Germans in Iran. “Who could believe that this transformation in the Middle East could have been achieved or that Malta and Tobruk could stand against incessant attacks. They still stand like rocks, firm and unshaken. The battle of the Atlantic goes on month after month and still our seamen sail the seas. We must, not rely on the United States to save us, however great the material assistance that country may afford us. Putting our trust in God we must reply on our strong right arm. Our Navy is growing weekly, our Air Force expands rapidly, our army now is nearly as highly trained as any in our history. With the help of the factories the army will be as Irresistible as Earl Haig’s great armies in 1918 when in a glorious hundred days the British army smashed the great military machine of Hohenzollern Germany. Behind the regular force we have a great army in the Home Guard and a still larger army of men and women In civil defence and nursing units. So we start the third year armed at least and ready for any threat to our existence—calm, resolute and ready to acquit ourselves like men.”