The Southland Times. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1940. 'A Very Hazardous Undertaking'

Southland Times, Issue 24230, 13 September 1940, Page 4

The Southland Times. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1940. 'A Very Hazardous Undertaking'

MR CHURCHILL' has repeatedly warned the people of England to be ready for a German invasion. His latest warning, made in a speech which must have strengthened and cheered everyone who heard it, came in the midst of a series of heavy air raids on London. The conjunction of time, place and circumstance gave his words a solemnity that belongs to historic occasions. British people in every part of the world listen eagerly to the Prime Minister for two reasons: he is probably the greatest speaker of his generation, and he gives facts as well as eloquence. At no time has he attempted to gloss over an ugly situation, or to turn aside from a fundamental issue. Thus, on Wednesday, he stimulated the spirit of resistance by saying plainly what dangers may have to be faced before the end of the month. He explained that large concentrations of barges are in German ports across the Channel, that ships of all sizes have crept down the coasts under the cover of shore batteries, and that a great many troops are ready for embarkation. These facts would be significant at any time. Today they must be related to the intensification of the air attacks, and to the attempts to terrorize the civilian population of London. There is a feeling in the air as of impending events: the suspense that ebbed during a period of sporadic raids is now returning. Again Englishmen are asking, “When will they come?” Daylight Raids

It will be noticed that, although Mr Churchill told the nation to stand ready for action, he admitted that no one\ could be sure that the invasion would come. A Nazi spokesman is reported to have said that Germany would land troops in England “if necessary,” but he added, rather wistfully, that there was “a possibility of England’s collapse.” In these last words can be found the measure of Hitler’s hopes, and of the difficulties that will have to be faced when the hopes are disappointed. The Nazis have shown themselves to be bold, ingenious and full of daring stratagems, They vyill use any weapon, and will rely wherever possible on terror, brutality and treachery. But to invade England they must first gain local mastery of the skies, and at least a temporary dominance of the narrow seas. During the past three months they have repeatedly attempted to smash the aerodromes in the south of England; but the fightei’ bases are still intact. The daylight raids have proved terribly expensive for the Nazis; yet it is only by the accurate bombing attainable in these raids that they can hope to do any real damage. It is significant that, in spite of the boasted efficacy of the night assaults on London, the bomber squadrons again faced the Spitfires and Hurricanes on Wednesday, and as usual were severely mauled. If the Nazis cannot afford to repeat these tactics indefinitely, they may be forced to stake everything on a combined effort in the air and on the sea. Crux of the War

This would mean the employment of an immense air fleet, while barges and transports made a dash aci’oss the Channel behind a curtain of shell fire thrown out from the French coast. Small wonder, therefore, that Mr Churchill spoke of such an attempt as a “very hazardous undertaking.” The British fighter squadrons are ready for battle; big guns are established on the English as well as the French side of the Channel; and, above all, the Royal Navy is patrolling the coastal waters. When these facts are viewed dispassionately, it seems probable that German ship and troop concentrations are intended for actions that are to take place only if the preliminary air attacks are successful. During the next few days, therefore, the air raids should be on a still greater scale. It has become clear that, in Mr Churchill’s words, “the effort of the Germans to secure daylight mastery of the air over England is . . . the crux of the whole war.” Whether or not there is to be an invasion is now being decided in the skies. British people will have no fear of the outcome.