ON EVE OF INVASION
MR WINSTON CHURCHILL’S APPEAL “BRITISH FORCES NEVER SO STRONG" DENIAL OF GERMAN LIES AND RUMOURS (Official Wireless) * RUGBY, July '4 In his statement in the House of Commons, Mr Winston Churchill said the time was not one for doubts or weakness, and he read to the House a message that had been sent to all those serving in important positions under the Crown of which the following is a summary: — Declaring that the British are now on what might be the eve of an invasion, the Prime Minister exhorted firmness to all holding responsible positions, and stated that while every precaution must be taken there were no grounds for supposing that more German troops can be landed than can be captured or destroyed by the forces at present under arms. The Royal Air Force, the message continued, is at the highest strength yet attained, while the German Navy was never so weak and the British Army at home never so strong. Concluding his speech, Mr Churchill said: “I feel that we are entitled to the confidence of the House. It should entirely and readily believe that we have not failed in our duty, however painful it may have been. The action we have already taken should in itself be sufficient to dispose, once and for all, of all lies and rumours which have been so industriously spread in the United States and elsewhere by German propaganda, and which you meet with here, fostered by Fifth Column activities. “ These lies and rumours suggested that we have some intention of entering on negotiations with the German and Italian Governments. Any idea of that should be completely swept out of the way by the very drastic and grievous action we have felt ourselves compelled to take. “ No, there is no thought of negotiations. “ I say in this country whose love of peace has been proved so long that there is no thought here of peace. We shall prosecute the war with the utmost vigour by all the means open to us, until the righteous purpose for which we entered upon it has been in all respects fulfilled.
The British Office's 18th casualty list contains 234 names, including two officers and six other ranks killed, 14 officers and S 8 other ranks wounded.
Thq War Office’s 19th casualty list contains 201 names, including two officers and seven other ranks killed, and 14 officers and 95 other ranks wounded.
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Bibliographic details
Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21157, 5 July 1940, Page 7
Word Count
408ON EVE OF INVASION Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21157, 5 July 1940, Page 7
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