“THE ROCK”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 October 1940, Page 6

“THE ROCK”

GIBRALTAR’S ABILITY TO RESIST SIEGE FORMER GOVERNOR SURVEYS POSITION. STILL KEY TO MEDITERRANEAN. Gibraltar still remains the key to the Mediterranean, writes General Sir Alexander Godley in the “Johannesburg Star.” Conditions have changed very much since I was Governor, but there are certain factors which lead me to think that in spite of all modern developments the fortress is still a very tough nut to crack and that there is every chance of our being able to hold it again against a siege, as we did in 1779-83. Then, the fortress was attacked by France and Spain. Now it will be attacked by Germany and Italy, possibly with the good will of non-belli-gerent Spain. The factors in question may be considered from the point of view of the three elements and of the three fighting services. AIR DEFENCES. First, the air. Gibraltar has already been attacked by German, Italian and French aircraft with little result. I believe that it will be difficult for hostile aircraft to obtain good results. Our anti-aircraft defence is up to date and ample. The Rock presents a very small target. To be sure of hitting the harbour, town or Europa Point, the only worthwhile objects, aeroplanes would have to fly very low. This is particularly difficult and dangerous owing to tricky winds and the innumerable airpockets. Facilities now exist for the Air Force and the Fleet Air Arm to take a hand. Secondly, the seas and the Navy. Now that the French fleet is practically disposed of, our naval situation in the Mediterranean would seem to be reasonably secure, and I see no reason to believe that our sea communications with the fortress can be severed. LAND DEFENCES. Thirdly, the Army and land attack. Hitler already has large forces along the Pyrenees, the gateway to Spain; and I have seen it stated'that there are large numbers of Germans in Spain posing as civilians. But one must remember that the only approach to Gibraltar by land is a very narrow isthmus. The isthmus is very strongly defended with every conceivable obstacle. There is no question of turning the flanks of the defences by land. The sea flanks would be closely guarded by the Navy and the Fleet Air Arm, who would also render effective assistance to the direct defences of the fortress. Consider now the question of heavy artillery and the gunpower of’the fortress. This is absolutely up-to-date with the most modern armament. Heavy guns are so sighted as to be able t,o deal effectively with hostile guns unplaced either on the Spanish mainland or in Ceuta, on the African coast. Big and long-range hostile guns farther inland in Spain would have a nuisance value, but would not affect the security of the fortress. WONDERFUL SHELTERS. This brings me to the point that both as regards bombing from the air and shelling from land Gibraltar has wonderful facilities for shelter. The rock is honeycombed with galleries, tunnels and caves, and in the town itself old casements and walls are of great strength and solidity. In the past two years underground shelters have been dug below these, and in the Rock itself there is ample bombproof accommodation for the whole garrison and the population of the fortress. There remain the food and ammunition questions. There are no doubt large stores of both, and as long as we command the Mediterranean there is no reason to fear but that further supplies can be ensured. The water supply is ample, and I believe that any damage done to the water catchments can be made good by the use of wells. The importance of the Rock goes far beyond a question of prestige. ITALY’S SUBMARINES. But new that Italy is in the war there is a further point. Capture of Gibraltar by the enemy would enable Italian submarines to pass out into the Atlantic and harry ships bringing food and supplies td this country. Nowweigh up the considerations that I have set down and I think that you will agree with me that the Rock, if not impregnable against modern instruments of warfare, will at least put up a prolonged fight against any attack. So Mussolini’s submarines will be bottled up in the Mediterranean for some time to come.

General Sir Alexander Godley commanded an army corp in the Near East from 1914 to' 1916. and an army corps on the Western Front till the end of the Great War. He was commander-in-Chief of the British Army of the Rhine in 1922-24, general officer com-rnanding-in-chief, Southern Command, 1924- A.D.C. General to the King in 1925- and Governor and commander-in-chief, Gibraltar in 1928-33.