EVERY EFFORT URGENT

Evening Star, Issue 24281, 24 August 1942, Page 3

EVERY EFFORT URGENT

GROWING ALLIED STRENGTH GERMAN FORCES STILL FORMIDABLE (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, August 22. - The Germans, who were at tha summit of their power on land and sea, and with their air fleets only slightly weakened, were trying to force a decision before the democracies could develop their full strength,- the _ Secretary for Air; Sir Archibald Sinclair, said in a speech at Swansea. In spite of the blows and bloody losses which the Russians had succeeded in inflicting, the German army remained the most formidable military force tha world had ever seen, and they had already seized the great wheat-produc-ing areas and great centres of production. The Japanese had suffered heavily during recent months at the hands of British, Australian, and United States naval and air forces, but they holding an empire rich in resources and were still strong. Germany and Japan were aiming to join hands through the Indian Ocean to exchange goods, and thus nullify the blockade, and they were conducting a tremendous U-boat campaign. Sir Archibald Sinclair appealed to all to strive for victory.' Every effort was dominated by a sense of urgency. That was why Mr Churchill had flown, thousands of miles to meet President Roosevelt and M. Stalin. Mr Churchill, President Roosevelt, and M. Stalin were friends and typified the friendship of three great countries in the war and in the future peace. They were summoning all to action, and they must not be let down. BRITISH SERVICES CO-OPERATE.

Stressing the co-operation that had been built up between the services. Sir Archibald referred; to the Dieppe raid as an example of how the Navy, the Army,-and the R.A.F. could work together in an offensive against the' enemy, and also discussed the defence of Malta and the co-operation of the services in the Libyan campaign. -The services were working in a true brotherhood of arms, and neither politicians nor anyone else should fall below their standard. “At home,” he said, “ the_ Army Co-operation Command is preparing to give to our Army when it returns to the Continent, as return it will, the same close co-operation as the R.A.F. has given the Army in Africa. Numerous squadrons in other commands, too, are being practised in close co-operation with the Army.” Sir Archibald added that the Bomber and Coastal Commands were growing in strength, and attacks on U-boats were steadily improving. The Bomber Command had struck repeatedly at; German ports and industries, and had. hampered Germany’s War' effort, with, comparatively light losses to Britain. “ We intend to press home our attacks on Germany ruthlessly,” Sir Archibald said. “It has. taken and is taking a. long time to build up the strength of the Bomber Command, but the harvest we Lave sown through all the months of patient, strenuous work is at last beginning to ripen. There is more than one urgent strategic requirement to be considered in deciding the employment of our heavy bombprs, but we must not take our eye off the pounding of German war industry and transport.” BOMBING OF GERMANY. ’ The defences of German cities were strong, he added, but bombers had been enabled to overcome the defences. In a few months’ time fourfigure raids would he less infrequent occurrences, and in tho meantime forces that could be sent against Germany, any normal night could drop a heavier load of bombs than the Germans have ever been able to drop on Britain. The range of attack was also extending, and more and more German cities would feel the weight of Allied bombs. Disorganisation and dislocation of German industry and transport would steadily spread.

“ The Bomber Command is preparing the way,” he concluded, “ and the time will assuredly come when the armies of the United Nations will march along it to end the war where the war in Europe will be ended. That is our aim. , Meanwhile, the brutal Nazi power is still unbroken. When the weather breaks in Russia the Germans may bring their bombers back here. Prepare for them. Bring your fighting and civil services to concert pitch. You will need them, and you will stand as firmly next winter as you stood two years ago. You will not let the German air force distract you from our main task in the months to come. That task is to gather all the strength of the United Nations by land, sea, and air, and pass to the attack. Thus only can we win a definite victory, and victory is one indispensable foundation of lasting peace, justice, and freedom.”