MR CHURCHILL ON INVASION THREAT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 September 1940, Page 6

MR CHURCHILL ON INVASION THREAT

• Fire Kindled in British Hearts DEVOUT BUT SURE CONFIDENCE THAT GOD WILL DEFEND THE RIGHT (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.35 a.m.) RUGBY, September 11. “If this invasion is going’ to be tried at all,’’ the British Prime Minister (Mr Winston Churchill) observed in his broadcast to the nation, “it does not seem that it can long be delayed. The weather may break at any time and it is difficult for the enemy to keep these ships and barges (those assembled in European coastal ports) waiting about indefinitely, while they are bombed every night and very often are shelled by our warships waiting for them outside. Mr Churchill compared the next couple of weeks with the days of the Spanish Armada and Napoleon, adding: .“Everyone will therefore prepare to do his duty, wherever it may be, with special pride and care.’’ He outlined the preparedness of the Army, Navy, Air Force and fortifications, declaring: “It is- with devout but sure confidence that I say: ‘Lot God defend the right’.’’ Referring to. the bombing of London, Mr Churchill said: “This is part of Hitler’s invasion plans. He hoped that by killing large numbers of civilians, he would terrorise and cow the people and make them a burden and anxiety to the Government, and thus distract our attention unduly from the ferocious onslaught he is preparing. Little did he know the spirit of the British nation or the tough fibre of Londoners. He had resolved to try to break our famous island race by a process of indiscriminate slaughter and destruction. What he has done is to kindle a fire in British hearts here and all over the world which will glow long after all traces of the conflagration he has caused in London has been removed. He has lighted a fire which will burn with a steady and consuming flame until the last vestiges of Nazi tyranny have been burned out of / Europe and until the Old World and the New can join hands to rebuild the temples of man’s freedom and man’s honour upon foundations which will not soon or easily be overthrown.’’ Mr Churchill paid a tribute to the A.R.P. services in London and said the fortitude of citizens was a message of good cheer to the fighting forces.