ARMIES OF THE NILE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 January 1942, Page 3

ARMIES OF THE NILE

AND MEDITERRANEAN FLEET MR CHURCHILL’S NEW YEAR MESSAGE. LASTING GRATITUDE OF NATION WON. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, January 1. Mr Churchill has asked that the following New Year message be published in the army newspaper, “Parade,” published in Cairo: — “From all over the Empire and from the bottom of our hearts we send to the armies of the Nile and the desert every good wish for the New Year. These words have behind them a glowing record of victory. Deserted by their allies in June, 1940, and left only with small ill-equipped forces with their communications through the Mediterranean endangered, these armies representing not only the Motherland but all parts of the Empire, have grown ceaselessly in strength, and will still grow with every month that passes. They have marched forward steadfastly upon the path of victory forward to a path of liberation. “All defeats and setbacks have been repaired and repaid with interest. Egypt, the Sudan and East Africa were first of all successfully defended against heavy odds. Abyssinia has been freed and her Emperor restored to his throne and the country from which he had been wrongfully expelled. British Somaliland has been regained, Italian Somaliland and Eritrea conquered, defended Syria freed of German influence, and Iraq and Persia brought into an effective military alliance. “Latest of all is a famous victory

manifesting itseff more plainly every day in Cyrenaica. More than a quarter of a million prisoners have been taken. This proud record of achievement has now won the lasting gratitude of the British nation and the Commonwealth of Nations, and takes its place among the memorable campaigns of victory. “At one time you had deep anxiety, for your loved ones at home had to endure the bombardment of last winter. They watched your toils and triumphs with glistening eyes. The task is not yet finished. Even greater days may lie ahead. In all tasks, rest assured of the love and honour of those who sent you forward and long for the day of your victorious return. _ “To the Mediterranean Fleet we vend every good wish. Great victories over the Italian navy, the constant interruption of the enemy’s supplies and the continual flow of supplies to our armies, have testified to their magnificent work and constitute a noble page in naval history. The R.A.F. has made a vital contribution during all this time. Their determination and devotion to duty have overcome all difficulties, and we watched with admiration their victorious assaults upon the enemy. We are proud of them and wish them all well.”