COMING THIS MONTH

Waikato Independent, Volume XL, Issue 3677, 7 March 1940, Page 3

COMING THIS MONTH

GERMANY'S BIG BLOW

WARNING TO N.Z. SOLDIER

March next might decide the destiny of the British Empire with the probability of a great blow by Germany against the Allies, declared Colonel H. C. Hurst, speaking for the defence committee at a meeting of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce recently. He said that the threat to Britain was a threat to New Zealand. The blow must not succeed, and would not if all took a share in the war effort.

"Quite apart from the extravagant boasts of Hitler and Goebbels, our British Ministers have recently emphasised the gravity of the situation confronting us in this critical year," 'said Colonel Hurst. "We expect a surprise attack in great strength and in all directions by a nation that regards ■war as the only method \of settling disputes.

"Our task is a hard one. In the last war France, Italy, Russia, Japan, America and other nations were our allies, and the enemies were uermany, Austria and Bulgaria. To-day Italy, Russia and America are still neutral. Must Meet First Impact. "In other words, Britain and France and a few Czechs and Poles must take the shock of Germany's impact. Remembering that the German was hammering at the gates of Paris in 1914 and nearly broke through our line in 1918, we cannot ignore the risks of the coming month's. A risk to England is a risk to New Zealand. If she 'falls, we fall." Germany had the largest army in the world, and only a few British divisions were in France, continued Colonel Hurst. Germany had the most mobile and hardest hitting army that ever existed in the history of the world. Her people were welded by Nazi doctrine and geared to war effort. They had worked for this year for 25 years. "We had not. She had 10,500 tanks and .the biggest air fleet in the world.

Testing Out Defences.

Germany had not frittered away her aeroplanes, but had simply tried them out and tested the defences with a few i*aids. She was conserving' her strength for her. great blow.

"The success of this blow will fix the duration of the war, and probably 'pick the sides' for us. A marked success by Germany* would attract more allies to her," he said.- "It must not succeed.

"Its failure, in part, depends upon every individual doing a just share—a share which we call our duty. If everyone works for victory we will triumph even at long length. I know we shall win, for our cause is just and our strength is great, but victory is the reward of effort, too. That is the lesson. "And it is not sufficient that we should win; we must win quickly. Only in that way will civilisation have a reasonable chance of reconstruction. March next may decide our destiny. Make sure 6f victory by sharing in its achievements.'*