CHRISTMAS CHEER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 December 1939, Page 5

CHRISTMAS CHEER

MESSAGES TO EMPIRE ARMED FORCES LEADERS CONFIDENT OF VICTORY. DIFFICULTIES & DANGERS WILL BE SURMOUNTED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, December 24. The chiefs of the British Navy. Army and Air Force, confident of victory, have sent messages to the Empire armed forces on the eve of Christmas. The message from the Commander-in-Chief of the British Armed Forces, Lord Gort, stated: "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 because of the close British and French understanding and the knowledge that the Empire’s thoughts are with us whether the weather is fair or foul.” COMMANDER OF HOME FLEET. The message from Admiral Sir C. M. Forbes, Commander-in-Chief of the Home Fleet, stated: "Together with other officers and men of the Royal and Dominion Navies, our comrades in the Army and Royal Air Force, and our gallant French and Polish allies, we are denying the enemy the use of the ocean highways 'and keeping them open for our magnificent merchant navy and fishing fleet so that they can maintain the supplies which are essential to our existence and which, with your help, will enable us to win the war against the 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 was built. To those who have lost loved ones we offer 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.” The message from Air Chief Marshal Sir Cyril Newall stated: "Wherever they be the members of the Royal Air Force are united in one aim and are confident of victory. They are on constant service in defence of the Empire with vigilance and determination.” MR HORE-BELISHA’S GREETINGS. The Secretary of War, Mr HoreBelisha, has sent the following message of greeting to the British Expeditionary Force: — "You will spend your Christmas in surroundings not entirely unfamiliar to a British expeditionary force. You are away from your families, but you are upon the friendly soil of France, who stands with Britain in a common determination to safeguard freedom—the valued heritage of both our countries. Every officer, warrant officer, non-commissioned officer and man serving in the B.E.F. is vividly in the thoughts of all of us at home, particularly at this time. I send to each one of you my most sincere good wishes and the season’s greetings.” Mr Hore-Belisha also sent messages of greetings to all othei- overseas and home troops. The Minister received reciprocal messages in reply. FRENCH PREMIER COURAGE AND DETERMINATION TO FIGHT HITLERISM. SUFFERINGS OF HITLER’S VICTIMS. LONDON. December 25. The French Prime Minister, M. Daladier, broadcasting a Christmas message, said: "We shall not take the initiative in inflicting new sufferings but shall return each blow. Germany has fought her wars on other people’s territory for a century. This time we keep an exact account of all her crimes. We are fighting not against other peoples but against war itself. "Think what this night must mean for the victims of. the man against whom we are fighting. Think of the people of Prague who anxiously sit in their homes while the mocking laughter of the victors sounds throughout the city. Think of the desolation and misery of Warsaw, where typhus is raging and bombs and shells have destroyed the people’s freedom. May all peoples understand that they cannot prevent aggression by trembling before the aggressor, but by putting up a barrage of courage and determination." GENERAL GAMELIN MESSAGE TO BRITISH TROOPS. "UNCONQUERABLE COURAGE." PARIS. December 24. The chief of the Allied forces in France. General Gamelin. has addressed to the soldiers of the British Empire and particularly those serving in France under Lord Gort the following message:— "I send you warmest Christmas greetings from your comrades of the French armies. The festival of Christmas stands for the future, and our effort in this war in creating the future. That future will be what we all mean it to be, for the courage of our men is unconquerable.” CARDS FOR TROOPS KING'S PERSONAL GREETINGS. BROADCAST TO EMPIRE SEAMEN. LONDON. December 24. "With our best wishes for Christmas. May God bless and protect you." These words in a facsimile of the King's handwriting are on cards reaching all ranks of the British Expeditionary Force. The cards, which are the size of a postcard, are signed. "George. R.l.—Elizabeth." The reverse side shows the King in his Field-Marshal's uniform and the Queen in an evening gown and tiara.

His Majesty broadcast a message to the merchant navy and fishing fleet. He 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 lighting forces, but 1 send to each of you a message of goodwill and good cheer. You are facing the special

perils which these days surround seamen with a coolness, courage and fortitude which is the admiration of us all. I speak not only for myself, but also for all my fellow countrymen in wishing you a happy Christmas unci a good landfall/’ POLISH LEADER CONFIDENCE IN TRIUMPH OF CAUSE. GERMANY WILL PAY DEARLY. PARIS. December 24. The Polish Prime Minister. General Sikorski, in a Christmas message, declared. "We have unshaken confidence in the triumph of Poland’s cause. These are the saddest days in our history, but we are encouraged by the successes of the Allied arms and resources. Germany will pay dearly for the war launched by her trecherous attack on Poland.” STRANGE CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION IN BRITAIN. FAMILY FESTIVITIES INCOMPLETE (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY. December 23. Troops home on leave and women in uniform are numerous among the crowds which are thronging the London streets and shops on the eve of the strangest Christmas holiday England has ever experienced. Family reunions usually are an outstanding feature, but this year the Christmas festivities are in most cases incomplete, not merely because of the absence of large numbers of men and women with the lighting forces and auxiliary services but also because more than half a million children evacuated from the more vulnerable parts of the city are till in temporary homes in the reception areas.