WESTERN FRONT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 December 1939, Page 7

WESTERN FRONT

BRITISH PRIME MINISTER’S VISIT WARM GREETING FROM PEOPLE OF FRANCE. CHRISTMAS FARE FOR TROOPS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON. December 16. It was officially announced yesterday that the Prime Minister, Mr Chamberlain. has arrived in France and that he will spend a few dasy with the Expeditionary Force. He made the journey by air. After reviewing many war positions today Mr Chamberlain asked that the following message might be conveyed from him to the members of the forces. “I am very glad to see you all and will tell them at home in what good spirits I. have found you. I wish you all the best of luck and a happy Christmas.’’ _ The Prime Minister began his tour of the British Expeditionary Force after lunching with the British Com-mander-in-Chief. Lord Gort. at General Headquarters. The afternoon was spent in a visit to a section of the Royal Air Force attached to the Army. In the cellar the Premier saw a large telephone exchange at work. Here 1400 calls daily are dealt with, and sometimes as many as 200 hourly. A noteworthy feature of the visit has been the warmth of the reception accorded Mr Chamberlain by the French people. Thousands of troops lined vantage points as Mr Chamberlain today continued his inspection of war positions on the coldest day the British have experienced during the war.

Mr Chamberlain toured 100 miles. He inspected a war foundry, pillboxes. camouflaged gun positions, and tank traps, and looked over the British lines from an advanced post. He also inspected English. Scottish and Irish troops, and called at an R.A.F. aerodrome, where he talked to fighter pilots. Christmas preparations are being completed, and all the British forces, including the frontier troops and the lonely outpost forces, will get eight ounces of turkey, six ounces of Christmas pudding, as well as soup, sprouts, mince pies. nuts, fruit and beer. The French woods provide ready-made Christmas trees and mistletoe.

Many members of the R.A.F. are providing Christmas trees for the children in the villages in which they are billeted.