War Day by Day

Taranaki Daily News, 13 September 1940, Page 6

War Day by Day

(By Our Special Observer.)

Comment on the News Mr. Churchill'* Speeeh British Attack' s Aim

Comments on the speech of Mr . Winston Churchill by the Press of the English-speaking world are unanimous in drawing heartening conclusions from his words. The intention behind the speech appears to have been to put the bombing of London in correct perspective as but a part of the general German plan of attack on Britain. Mr. Churchill's highlight was the emphasis he put upon the Nazi invasion preparations, which is in striking contrast to the German propagandists' reiteration of the "reprisal" aspect of their savage and wanton attacks. The British Prime Minister's reference to attacks on Germany was conspicuous by its absence, unless, as one American paper interprets it, "until the last vestiges of Nazi tyranny have been burned out of Europe" is an indication of increasing Royal Air Force activity over Germany. If this seems to some people an oblique method of saying what could have been said much more simply if an intention to say anything of the sort existed, they should remember that Mr. Churchill's latest speech differed from most of his 1 previous ones in that it was a broadcast to the people, and not a statement to that very hard-boiled audience, the House of Commons. That^ assembly is not due to meet until next Tuesday after a short recess. Does Winter Matter, or Not? In his speech to the House on September 5 Mr. Churchill appeared to discount somewhat immediate invasion threats, making it clear that he was not one of those who imagined that the danger would pass with the coming of winter. "Winter with its storms, fogs and darkness may alter conditions," he said, "but some changes cut both ways; unrelaxing effort and wise precaution are both necessary to save our lives and serve our cause." . Something would appear to have changed the Prime Minister's views, for he now believes that "if this invasion is going to be tried at all it does not seem it can be very long delayed. The weather may break at any time." Mr. Churchill's knowledge of the preparations Britain has made to meet the attackers may have engendered a wish in him, as it has .undoubtedly done in many quarters in Britain, to get the threat over and done with. As Mr. Churchill said, Hitler has most definitely not gained the air superiority necessary to permit a successful operation, and it must always be remembered that invasion will bring the two other arms of the fighting forces into more active co-oper-ation with the Royal Air Force. /. Royal Navy's Part. In spite of the fact that Germans are able to sneak shipping -along the coast of France under the protection of coast batteries, it -will be a very different thing if that shipping attempts to leave the cover of those guns. True that the guns are straddling the Channel, but that is only at one point, and the Germans are hardly likely to concentrate their effort on one area only. Before the Germans can invade England, Scotland or Ireland they must first invade an element of which they have infinitely less control than they have of the air. Information has just been released of the part the Royal Navy is playing in harrassing enemy ports and concentrations of shipping. These Drakelike guerrilla naval tactics are what one has been expecting to hear were going on. Glancing Over His Shoulder. The very interesting story from "diplomatic sources" at Washington that Germany has placed over 1,000,000 troops in German and German occupied territory fronting the Russian frontier to forestall "any Soviet coup • during the blitzkrieg against Britain recalls a phrase in a previous speech of Mr. Churchill. It will be remembered that he suggested that in disposing of his air force against 'Britain Hitler must always east his eye over his shoulder at the Red Air Force. In other words, if victory against Britain could only be achieved at the cost of decimation of Germany's air strength, then the victory would avail Hitler nothing, for another air force would then domihate the position he had sacrificed so much to gain. It cannot be denied that this theory has some grounds for credence. -The position in the Balkans is by no means settled. Bulgaria's recent expression of thanks to Russia for the part she played in .the recovery of the Dobrudja effectively disposes of the Axis partner's claim to have "arranged" that transfer of territory. While Hitler is trying to break out through* his blockaded front door, still he must watch the bear prowling around his back fence. A Brighter Civil Service. Smiles are found in unexpected places these days. Even the topic of "invasion can provide a leavening of the heavy atmosphere associated with it. One particular British official form sets one wondering whether some satirist has not intruded himself into the staid civil service. A warning form is placed ' by policemen in cars which have been left by their owners without having been rendered immovable. It opens thus: "To the owner of the vehicle (license number). This vehicle must- be rendered incapable of being driven away other than by the owner through one of the following methods. Five alternative and legal methods of putting a car out of action are given, including letting the air out of the tyres, taking the wheels off, taking away ^ the rotor arm, fitting a secret master switch. The list concludes with the following cryptic suggestion: "(e) Removal of joggle from jiggle." Which would, of course, be very simple if most motorists knew what and where a joggle was. They would then be able to remove it from the jiggle, if they knew what a jiggle was. - For bicycles the suggestions are: (a) Deflation of both tyres: ,(h) removal of saddle; (c), removal of chain or chain wheel; (d) removal of cranks or spindle; (e) removal of bicycle. The form finishes by itemising the only two legal methods of rendering horsedrawn vehicles "incapable of being driven away," which are, it is aisclosed, (a) removal of horse. (b) removal of vehicle. It is presumed that the first alternative is the better since, while an enemy parachutist might jump on a horse and ride it away without a vehicle, it would be difficult for him to jump on a cart and ride it away unless he had brought a horse with him.