FOUR YEARS OF WAR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 208, 3 September 1943, Page 4

FOUR YEARS OF WAR

ANNIVERSARY TO-DAY OF BRITAIN’S ENTRY To-day is the fourth anniversary oi the entry of the British Empire into the present struggle for freedom. The momentous news was received in New Zealand on Sunday night, September 3, 1939, when Mr. Neville Chamberlain’s broadcast was beard by an expectant nation. He said: “This morning the British Ambassador to Berlin handed to the German Government a ’final Note stating that, unless we heard from them by 11 o’clock that they would withdraw their troops from Poland, a state of war would exist between us. I have to tell you that no such undertaking has been received, and that consequently this country is at war with Germany.” That was four years ago, and since then the British Empire has reeled under some staggering blows and at one stage had to play a lone hand, but after a succession of reverses, the tide has turned. With the surprise attack by the Japanese on Pearl Harbour in December, 1941, America, with its forces partly geared for war, came into the conflict at the side of Britain, and after a year of many setbacks, began to achieve much success against the Japanese. The year 1943 sees Russia, and the other United Nations strong at vital points and with cle-ar-cut victories in Egypt, Tunisia, .nd Sicily. On all fronts the New Zealanders have given a good account of themselves, in the air, on the land, and at sea.