Victory Messages to Armed Forces

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 304, 26 December 1939, Page 7

Victory Messages to Armed Forces

“Courage of Men Is Unconquerable” NAVY, ARMY AND AIR CHIEFS United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. Received Monday, 7.20 p.m. LONDON, Dec. 23. The Navy, Army and Air Force chiefs, confident of victory, sent messagosg to tho Empire’s armed forces on tho eve of Christmas. Marshal Gamclin addressed the soldiers of the British Empire, particularly those serving in France under Yiscount Gort. 44 1 send you the warmest Christmas greetings from your comrades in the French armies. The festival of Christmas stands for the. future and our effort in this war is creating the future. That future will be what we all mean it to be, for the courage of our men is unconquerable. ’ ’ The message from Admiral Sir C. M. Forbes, Commander-in-Chief of tho Homo Fleet, stated: “Together with the other officers and men of the Royal and Dominion Navies, our comrades in the Army and the Royal Air Force, and our gallant French and Polish Allies, we are denying the enemy the use of the ocean higliways and keeping them open for our magnificent merchant navy and fishing fleet so they can maintain the supplies essential to our existence and which with your help will enable us to win. the war against a ruthless and unscrupulous enemy. Such a task is not spectacular, but it is the essence of our history and the foundation on which the Empire is built. “To those who have lost loved ones wc offer our sympathy. There is no easy road to victory, but I ask you to believe that we who go down to the sea in ships shall not fail in our task in the coming year. ’ ’ Viscount Gort’B message states: ‘ 4 Again within the memory of many a British Expeditionary Force is spending Christmas in France again under the leadership of a great soldier of France. The Allied armies stand united to resist aggression. Difficulties and dangers will undoubtedly arise in the coming year, but they will be surmounted owing to the close British and French understanding and the knowledge that the Empire’s thought’s are with us whether the w r eather be fair or foul.” The message from Air Chief Marshal Sir Cyril Newall states: “Wherever they be, the members of the Royal Air Force are united in one aim—confident of victory, they are on constant service in the defence of the Empire with vigilance and determination.” King’s Christmas Card to Troops 4 4 With our best wishes for Christmas. May God bless and protect you,” are the words in facsimile of the King’s handwriting on cards reaching all ranks of tho British Expeditionary Force. Postcard size, the cards are signed, “George R.I. and Elizabeth.” The reverso side shows the King in his Field-Marshal’s uniform and the Queen in an evening gown and a tiara. King to Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleet. His Majesty, in a broadcast message to the merchant navy and fishing fleet, said “ because our ships are scattered over the seven seas it is not possible to send a Christmas card to each member as I have done with the fighting forces, but I send to each of you a message of goodwill and good cheer. 4 4 You are facing the special dangers which in these days surround seamen with a coolness, courage and fortitude which are the admiration of us all. I speak not only for myself but for all my fellow countrymen in wishing a happy Christmas and a good landfall.”