WAR OUTLOOK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 March 1940, Page 7

WAR OUTLOOK

BROADCAST BY GENERAL FREYBERG STRENGTH OF EMPIRE THROWN INTO FRAY. ACTIVITIES OF OUR TROOPS IN EGYPT. In the course of a broadcast - talk from Egypt to Australia and New Zealand. Major-General Freyberg, Commander of the Second Expeditionary Force, expressed the opinion that any German attack at the present stage on France or Flanders was doomed to failure. “Later,” he added, “when Germany cracks internally, as she will either by the pressure of the blockade, or by fighting elsewhere, it is equally clear that a decision will be gained on the Western Front. It will be a military victory. The German Army, as in 1918, will be driven back, but that will not be for some time yet. ’“The prime factor is that time is on our side. The combined industrial potential of the British and French Empires is double that of Germany. In time the position will improve further in our favour, for, though Germany had many years’ start in the armament race which she began, she is being caught up, and in the long run will be outstripped. Therefore, time is on our side, “A further factor of great importance is that the German nation realises already from her defeat in 1918 the futility of trying to overcome in single combat a coalition of European Powers with the British Empire in the leading maritime and financial role. So much for the first six months of war.” Referring to the Allied effort on land, Major-General Freyberg said that the war had not really begun, but there had been vast changes. There was no shortage of manpower. The whole Empire had thrown its weight into the fray. The armies had been equipped in addition to which the Allies had supplied friendly countries with equip-! ment. MIDDLE EAST ARMY. In France and in the Middle East were two mighty armies. Thanks to the Navy, the latter would be available for service in whatever war theatre needed. Furthermore, this army, in conjunction with the forces of France, Turkey, Egypt and Iraq would secure the East from any attack. Speaking of the future, Major-Gen-eral Freyberg said that still more divisions were being trained throughout the Empire, and those who remembered the last war could visualise the extent to which Britain’s strength would increase in this. He also made mention of tlie quality of the armed forces and the great impression created by the troops from overseas by their fine bearing and ability to make friends.

Reference was also made by MajorGeneral Freyberg to the paramount importance of supplies in the war. The' war would largely be decided on supplies. Knowing the effect of a naval blockade. Germany had determined never to have to fight on two fronts, but she was faced by two mighty armies in the west and the east, the armies of nations who had the moral support of the neutrals, and she already knew that these forces must win. In the concluding portion of his broadcast, Major-General Freyberg referred to the activities of the Dominion troops in Egypt, the building up of a fine Rugby team, the splendid progress of Egypt under its own Government, and tlie great hospitality extended to the overseas troops by their Egyptian hosts.