ON GUARD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 229, 26 September 1940, Page 16

ON GUARD.

SECOND N.Z. ECHELON. BRITISH PREPAREDNESS. (Prom the Official Correspondent attached to the New Zealand Forces lu Britain, Mr. J. H. Hall.) LONDON, Septeml>er 24. The function of her European Army in this most glorious fortnight of Britain's civilian history has been to watch and wait—to line the ramparts of England, ready if the foe should come to strike a blow. Although a very small unit among the 1,2.50,000 men thus standing to arms, the New Zealand •Second Echelon has been honoured with an important forward position, and in the. last week has further improved its plans for striking quickly and hard when the call comes.

British public opinion on the possibility of an invasion remains divided, but with a growing weight against it. Nevertheless, preparedness is being intensified daily. It is distasteful to be idly standinsr by while the Air Force and" the Navy do all the work, and unprotected women and children bear much of the brunt of the vicious and merciless attack, but- it is a part which the. needs of the moment require of soldiers. ileanwhile. it is an unforgettable privilege to be here and to gather inspiration from the incompar-., able valour of our airmen atid the magnilicc.nt courage under assault of the common people of Britain.