VAST EXPANSION IN AIR ATTACKS ON GERMANY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 July 1941, Page 5

VAST EXPANSION IN AIR ATTACKS ON GERMANY

Mr Churchill Gives the Facts ADDRESS TO LONDON DEFENCE WORKERS HITLER DEFIED TO DO HIS WORST LONDON, July 14. During the last few weeks British aircraft have thrown upon Germany, in attacks on selected military objectives, about half the tonnage of bombs the Nazis had dropped on British cities during the whole course of the war. This statement was made by the British Prime Minister (Mr Churchill) in an address to London defence workers at the County Hall. This, Mr Churchill added, was only a beginning. By next July it was hoped to multiply the delivery of bombs jnanyfold and that abject, subject province of Germany which used to be called Italy would get its share. Mr Churchill was applauded loudly when he said that if Hitler now proposed that the bombing of cities should be discontinued he would meet an emphatic refusal. Britain’s reply would be: “Do your worst and we will do our best.’’ Britain would continue her effort until she had extirpated Nazism or, better still, it had been extirpated by a revolt of the German people. Because of the growing weight and power of Britain’s air attacks, Mr Churchill said, he must ask his hearers to be prepared to meet the counter-attack of the enemy. Months ago he had given instructions to the Minister of Home Security, the Minister of Health and others for air raid precautions to be strengthened and improved. He was assured that these directions had been carried out. Referring to the present lull in enemy air attacks on Britain, Mr Churchill said it was not true to say that the planes did not come because they were engaged in Russia. Germany still had a bombing force in the west quite capable of making very heavy attacks. He could think of no reason to account for the lull. Perhaps it was because they were saving up. If that were so, it should give Britain confidence. Last September, said Mr Churchill, Hitler was defeated in his invasion by the R.A.F. and then declared his intention of razing British cities to the ground. He found London unconquerable and the provincial cities in their turn had stood invincible. All engaged in the civil defence forces must prepare themselves for further heavy assaults. Britain would not turn from her purpose. Out of these trials and tribulations would be born a new freedom and a new glory for all mankind.