FIGHTING SERVICES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 December 1940, Page 8

FIGHTING SERVICES

MESSAGES FROM BRITISH MINISTERS VALIANT DEEDS ACCLAIMED. FAITH IN FINAL VICTORY. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, December 25. Christmas messages from the Cabinet Ministers in charge of the fighting services were broadcast today in a special entertainment for his Majesty’s forces abroad. The Secretary of State for Air, Sir Archibald Sinclair, stated in a message to the Royal Air Force: ‘‘Just as Drake’s men with their small but powerfully-armed ships and their fine seamanship swept the armadas of Spain from the sea, so you airmen have won decisive victories in the skies over enemies who were greatly superior to you in numbers but inferior in all else. You have confirmed our faith in our victory.” The First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr Alexander, said: “On behalf of the Admiralty, I wish all officers and men of the Navy a happy Christmas, accompanied wherever the Service permits by all the time-honoured naval Christmas traditions and customs. You have richly earned the enjoyment that I hope you will have. I say to you that you can feast and enjoy your Christmas dinners in the knowledge of a duty well and faithfully done. “Your efforts have chartered a course to victory. Stick to it, knowing that what you.are doing will ensure a triumph for freedom, and liberty for curselves and the generations to come to enjoy a good old-fashioned Christmas in peace and comfort. It is with this in mind that I wish to those who are dear to you and from whom you are now separated good health and the best of luck.”

The Secretary of War, Captain Margesson, said: “To all ranks of the Army, from whatever part of the Empire they have come, and wherever they may be serving at this moment, I offer my best wishes for Christmas and 1941. I am speaking particularly to those who are serving overseas in cur many military posts which are separated by so many miles of sea and land from their families and friends. “We have just completed a stern and testing year. At Home we have kept and are still keeping a watch against the ever-present threat of invasion. Our powers of resistance, both military and civilian, have been tested by many attacks of fierce, indiscriminate bombing. Your families, like yourselves, have been exposed to great dangers, and your anxiety must be great at a time which has been an occasion for family gatherings throughout the history of our country. I know I can speak on behalf of alLyour families and friends in this country when I tell you that they are in good heart, and that they are facing the attack upon their homes with bravery and high courage. “Have no fear. The inspiration of the British Army is shared by the civilian population. They will not falter, and they will never yield.

“In recent months it has been the Army’s duty to wait and watch. When small forces have to be expanded to enormous size and strength, time must be spent in training, and in securing 1 equipment and transporting it to each theatre of war, where every plan of 'operation must be carefully prepared I and patiently rehearsed. You have I seen the result in the Middle East, and you have taken courage, as I have, from the magnificent successes achieved by General Wayell and his commands. The success of our armies against the Italian forces of Libya is a good omen for the future. When the moment comes, as it will, for the British Army again to measure its strength with oiir main enemy, I know and you know that it will not be found wanting."