BATTLE OF BRITAIN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 July 1940, Page 5

BATTLE OF BRITAIN

PART FOR ALL TO PLAY BROADCAST BY MR ATTLEE. CONFIDENCE IN OUTCOME. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, July 6. In a broadcast speech the Lord Privy Seal, Mr Attlee, spoke of the action against the French fleet as ’ a tragic necessity which compelled us, when all persuasion proved unavailing, to open fire on those who had so lately been our comrades-in-arms.” The British nation was waiting fo» the zero hour, which would be fixed by the enemy himself, and during the time of waiting, Mr Attlee said, he wanted - all to realise that they had a part to play in the struggle which was coming. Turning to the overthrow of France,' the Lord Privy Seal said this was not brought about only by fores, of arms but by the destruction of unity, confidence and morale —Hitler’s most effective weapon. Pointing out that the duty of every individual was to strengthen the fortress of his soul against this attack, Mr Attlee concluded: —

“In this battle of Britain we are fighting for our very existence, but we are fighting for something more. It has been the endeavour of the Nazis to exalt and foster the lowest instincts of human nature, cruelty, greed and intolerance. We are fighting the battle of man’s higher nature. We will not be unworthy of our cause. “In the realm of the spirit we do not stand alone. Everywhere the hearts of all who care for liberty are with us. We are now holding the bridgehead of freedom. When we have defeated this attack, the rising forces of freedom in all lands will bring about the downfall of Hitler and the Nazi system. We know the fight will be hard and the sacrifices great.”