The First Twelve Months —and After!

Camp News (Northern Command), Volume 1, Issue 19, 6 September 1940, Page 2

The First Twelve Months —and After!

Tuesday, the 3rd of September, 1940, completed the first year of the war, during which time the map of the world has undergone many “temporary” changes. Firstly Poland, overrun, in a few weeks, then Denmark, Norway, Holland, Belgium and finally France suffered the same fate.' Excepting for the latter it was a case of overwhelming odds and the result of years of intense and unscrupulous preparation, culminating in lies and brutality which have shocked the world. The fate of the great French nation was somewhat different, undermined by political instability the lack of cohesion was soon apparent. Whilst gallant soldiers were offering .stubborn resistance, politicians became panic-stricken and lacked confidence and inspiration. No doubt the ghastly atrocities and wanton destruction perpetrated by the Huns upon, defenceless refugees, women and children 'and the like had a demoralising effect upon the political leaders of the day who preferred an armistice to resistance. But this is not the true spirit of France—it was the barest majority (one, in fact) that decided the issue; and now Frenchmen and patriots from all the oppressed nations are rallying to restore order from chaos. Great Britain stands to-day as the bulwark of all freedomloving peoples, throughout the world and will live forever as an inspiration to humanity. From strength to strength the British Empire and her allies are fighting against the wrongs that need resistance and enter upon the second year of the war with a determination which has for generations subdued the arrogance, and conceit of ignorance of those who despise her. Lying propaganda, threats, fear tactics, fifth column activities and dastardly atrocities are the weapons chosen by Hitler and Mussolini, and this, the lowest form of attack does not win a war, but will rebound with a vengeance upon the perpetrators. Early in the 1914-18 conflict the Huns adopted similar tactics, ruthless U-boat warfare, gas and liquid fire (contrary to the rules of warfare), long-range guns and a preponderance in the air together with massed troop concentrations which suffered heavily as a result—they do not possess the courage or morale to attack in waves of extended order formations, or is it that they cannot be trusted! The same tactics are still being pursued v by the German air force at tremendous cost, and this, to a great extent, explains the relative losses in the air to-day.’ < The genius of our scientists in outwitting our adversary, from the rifle bullet to the heaviest calibre guns, and the strategy of naval operations weighed heavily against the enemy in the last war, and will do so again. Germany has expelled many of her most noted scientists for political reasons. ? - Our Army, Navy and Air Force are equipped to win the war with men and materials of proven ability. The complete mastery of the seas is significant. The proven superiority and the gradual preponderance in the air is becoming more apparent day by day. The strategy of Dunkirk in fighting a rear-guard action with less and less troops, embarking over 330 000 men safely whilst engaging the onslaught of the Germany army air force, and what is left of the Germanv naw ai x which will long be remembered in contrast with the threatened violence" ° f Eng,and ’ ly “ g pr ~ da and empty / termtaed' and ?%' Alli are de ' the falsehoods of totalitarian dictators a " d W1 1 tnumph over