The Waikato Times TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1940 BRITISH REPLY TO INVASION THREAT

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21220, 17 September 1940, Page 4

The Waikato Times TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1940 BRITISH REPLY TO INVASION THREAT

In the hour when a German attempt to invade Britain seemed to be imminent, the people of the British Empire have been greatlycheered by news of the smashing attacks by the Royal Air Force and the Navy on the enemy's invasion machinery. Concentrations of men, ships and machinery along the entire continental coast within menacing reach of Britain have been subjected to the most damaging laids ever undertaken by British airmen. The Navy also has added effectively to the destruction of the means which Hitler hoped to employ in an attack across the Channel. Simultaneously comes news of the heaviest losses yet suffered by enemy air raiders over Britain. Ihe British lion is showing its teeth as it always has done when the shores of the homeland are menaced. Will Hitler persevere with his plan of attack in the face of this demonstration of fighting strength ? There is no doubt that the invasion was planned for about this time. Hitler and his chief lieutenants are reported to have gathered in France to direct operations. German and neutral journalists are reported to have been invited to assemble on the French coast “to witness the greatest spectacle of the ages—the invasion of Britain.” Moon and tides are at the propitious stage, and Hitler has need to hurry. And yet the order to attack has not been given. Hitler is hesitating on the brink of his greatest adventure—an adventure that will place him in the most powerful position ever occupied by man or will plunge him into the beginning of decline and ignominious extinction. At that crucial moment the British forces have struck hard and often at the very heart of his plan of attack. It seems that Hitler must make the attempt almost at once or forever abandon hope of conquering Britain. That is why every able-bodied man or woman in Britain is “ standing to,” expecting the zero hour at any minute. That is why the Air Force and the Navy are striking right and left and endeavouring to wreck the machinery of invasion before it can go into action. And there is a surge of pride and hope in every British breast that the two great forces in the air and on the sea are able to demonstrate their new and growing strength, and that the most powerful army Britain has ever assembled is ready and waiting to meet the attack in whatever form it might come.

There is another significant aspect of recent developments which emphasises the doubt that exists in Hitler’s mind. From Germany and from neutral sources it is stated that Nazi propaganda is carefully suggesting to the Germans that an invasion of Britain may not be necessary; that Britain may be forced into surrender by attack from the air. It is necessary to prepare public opinion for possible disappointment. Again an Italian publicist sees the need for caution. He emphasises that just as Germany occupied the last winter by preparations for an offensive on a gigantic scale in the spring, so she might again adopt that course with the objective of smashing Britain next spring. Thus the enemy is attempting to leave the way open for a retreat from his plans should that course be forced upon him. It is, of course, the most ardent wish of all Germans and Italians that Britain should collapse under the strain of air attacks an 1 that Hitler should safely cross the Channel as an acknowledged . but again they are doomed to disappointment.