HARDLY BEGUN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 192, 16 August 1940, Page 6

HARDLY BEGUN

WAR AGAINST NAZIS BRITAIN WILL TAKE OFFENSIVE FULL STRENGTH OF THE EMPIRE ( British Official Wirel«s* J RUGBY, Aug. 14Mr. Anthony Eden broadcasting to-night, recalled that in less than a month’s time Britain would have been at war for a year. The Germans were assured by their rulers that summer, 1940, would see the end of the war. “We think otherwise. For us the real war in which the British Empire has put forward the whole of its strength has hardly begun. For us the real war will begin when we take the offensive and strike home at the enemy.’* Much has happened, said Mr. Eden, since lazt he broadcast about six weeks ago at the time of the great evacuation from Dunkirk. More than 200,000 men then evacuated had been sorted out into units and these units had been brought up to strength and re-equipped. Since May half a million men had been called up for actual training and after only four or five weeks they were, said Mr. Eden, drilling and moving like veterans.

“But our native home forces do not stand alone. We have Canadian. Australian, and New Zealand troops with us and everybody knows what that means in vigorous fighting strength. We have a contingent of French troops, Czechs, Norwegians, Belgians, and Dutch, all eager for our first great counter-attack, because that is what the successful defence of our island must prove to be.” Referring to the Home Guard, more than 1,500,000 strong, Mr. Eden said his expectations had been far exceeded. Battle For Britain The second phase of the battle fot Britain, said Mr. Eden, appeared to be opening. He made no boasts, but he felt a quiet confidence. There were those in Germany who contended that an overwhelming air power without a sea power, was a possible means of achieving victory. A vastly •uperior sea power, said Mr. Eden, with a rapidly-growing air power, was a much more likely means. “That is our position and that is one of the reasons why the chances of victory are more in our favour than in Germany’s. The superior power at sea which we possess and in the air w’hich we are determined to reach, combined with an ever-increas-ing army, will secure our victory. The proper use of this power for striking the enemy in each of these spheres is the way we shall win the war.” Ending his remarks, the War Minister referred to the future. Hitler wanted a new order for EuropeEurope under his control. Britain, too, wanted a new order, but an order of a very different kind. “A really new order throughout the world in partnership with other nations, nations free to direct their lives and free to make their choice. We know all the nations forced to yield to German pressure desire our victory so that they may freely make that choice.”