GREAT ARMY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 March 1940, Page 5

GREAT ARMY

PROCESS OF FORMATION BRITISH WAR MINISTER’S SURVEY HELP FROM OVERSEAS EMPIRE. (Received This Day, 10.22 a.m.) (British Official Wireless,) RUGBY. March 12. Introducing the Army Estimates in the House of Commons, the War Minister, Mr. Oliver Stanley, said a great army was in process of formation and the British were in duty bound progressively to take a bigger part of the burden of land war off the shoulders of their Allies. The number of British troops in France today was about double the number in October, and every day saw an increase in their strength, i There was an even greater number of troops to provide for at home, consisting partly of those manning the permanent defences of the country and partly of divisions being trained and equipped for overseas. Many thousands of men on anti-aircraft defence had moved to war stations even before the declaration of war and had been there ever since. From the beginning of the war to date, nearly 200,000 volunteers had enlisted. Britain had already received and was continuing to receive valuable assistance from the Dominions, India and the Colonies. Canadian troops had been in England for nearly three months and were well advanced in training. The fine tradition of the Indian Army was represented by Indian troops in France and in the Near East. The Australian Imperial Force and the New Zealand Special Force would be worthy successors to the Anzacs of the last war. General Smuts had reorganised the Union defence forces for the defence of South African interests. Southern Rhodesia and the African colonies had also produced their contributions. But still a majority of the personnel had to be provided from Britain. Registration and calling up were proceeding smoothly as and when more men were required, and more could be dealt with. A majority of the older- men voluntarily recruited were mixed in the ranks with the younger Army classes. At present the average age of the infantry was twenty-five, while that of other arms was over twentysix. This meant, of course, a very considerable body of men older than the average and the stiffening at present, therefore, was satisfactory.