FOR OFFENSIVE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 216, 11 September 1940, Page 9

FOR OFFENSIVE.

ARMY PREPARING. "MUST DEAL FINAL BLOW." LONDON, September 4. The glaring light of publicity is so constantly focused on the daring and spectacular feats of the ILA.F. and the Royal Navy that there is a tendency to let the part the army baa and will play in the war be eclipsed. There are other factors. In summaries of the first year of'the war, a number of writers criticise the Army High Command. For instance, Mr. H. G. Wells says"The men—the units—have been sullen and splendid during this year's retreats, but they have fought without any intelligent leadership or any intelligent plan. They were stupidly sacrificed by incapacity in control." Then, because the army is not fight ing, but merely preparing against tho day when it will be called on to take the offensive, little publicity is being given to it, except, for example, when Britain's defences are turned or when newspapers recount an act of bravery of an officer or member of the ranks who has been decorated. "Must Have Weapons." The speech of the Secretary of War, Mr. Anthony Eden, on Tuesday, in one passage touched upon this aspect. When declaring that there was no weapon in its armoury in aespect of which the army does not ask for more, including dive-bombers, he said: "The Royal Navy and merchant marine, by their command of the seas and their loyal service, create conditions in which alone victory is possible. The R.A.F., by its splendid gallantry, strikes a prelude to victory. But it is the army that must deal the final blow. The army must have its weapons and its training —above all, mechanised weapons and close tactical support from the air, which is indispensable to success in modern war." Winter Opportunities. The winter and fear# of boredom in the army are already securing the attention of army chiefs, who recognise that the intelligent use of the coming winter months will be a challenging test of the army's gift of imagination, since, as Mr. Eden said, they must be months, not of boredom, but of opportunity, to be used to the best advantage. The army will be given the fullest possible scope for training in its own arms and for recreation. For training in other subjects a special department has 'been formed at the War Office to deal with welfare work, and a director of education has also been appointed. Pleas for public co-operation in order to make billeting on a large scale successful will soon be launched, since winter accommodation will prove an immense problem.