FORWARD POSITION

Taranaki Daily News, 26 September 1940, Page 8

FORWARD POSITION

Official Correspondent with N.Z.E.F.

MEN OF SECOND ECHELON PLANS FOR STRIKING HARD

Rec. 5.5 p.m. London, Sept. 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 him a blow from which he will never recover. Although a very small unit among the 1,250,000 men thus standing to arms, the New Zealand second echelon has been honoured with an important forward position and in the last week has furthei improved its plars for striking quickly and hard when the call comes. British public opinion on the possibility of invasion remains divided, but with growing might against it. Nohe the les~ the preparedness already unparalleled in this island's long story of hard-bought freedom is being intensified daily. It is distasteful to be, as it were, idly standing 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, merciless attack, but it is the part which the needs of the moment require of the soldiers. Meanwhile, it is the unforgettable privilege to be here and to gather inspiration from the incomparable valour of our airmen and the magnificent courage under assault of the common people of Britain.