THINGS TO COME

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 June 1943, Page 3

THINGS TO COME

SIGNIFICANCE OF KING’S VISIT TO NORTH AFRICA Armies Ready to Assault Fortress of Europe BRITISH AND AMERICAN COMMENTS NEW COMMUNITY BEING BUILT ON BATTLEFIELD LONDON, June 17. The King received another tremendous welcome when he inspected the Allied fleet and merchant ships in a North African port. Battleships, cruisers, destroyers, submarines, trawlers, minesweepers and motor torpedo boats were paraded for inspection, together with Dutch and Greek naval units. Later the King went on board an American cruiser and inspected the crew, who cheered him most enthusiastically. He then visited one of Britain’s heavy battleships, an Allied submarine and a freighter which had just arrived in North Africa with war material. . . . His Majesty’s visit to the forces in North Africa is still the first topic of conversation in every town and village m his kingdom. It is here, as throughout the Empire, seen as a first hint of still greater things to come. The London “Daily Mail’’ recalls that the King was m France early in the war; now he is in Africa, and on another day, it says, he will be back in Europe with his victorious troops. “May that day be not far ahead!” The King’s visit is a tribute to men who have been through much and an encouragement to men who have still greater things to do, states the “Manchester Guardian.”

VISIT WELL TIMED

The London “Daily Telegraph” comments on the timeliness of the visit. The task ahead, it says, is the redemption of the Continent, and this is the eve of great events. In Africa the men of the forces stand ready to shake the “fortress of Europe,” and more numerous and powerful forces have been formed in the United Kingtom. The newspapers also realise what the visit will mean to the forces his Majesty is visiting. For them, it is commented,, the King’s visit implies three messages: Thanks for their glorious recent victory; supreme confidence in the skill, devotion and valour of all ranks, who may soon be called upon to pit themselves against the power of the Axis in Europe; and a reminder that all those at home are praying for their safe return, with a pledge for the foundation of a better world of peace. “The Times” says: “The King’s visit to North Africa will give the deepest satisfaction throughout the Empire, and indeed, among all the people of the Grand Alliance. The forces know he is an old campaigner, that he was in the action at Jutland, and that the wings on his Royal Air Force uniform were gained as a trained and qualified pilot.” The newspaper pays a tribute to his Majesty’s undertaking the hazardous journey which, it says, public opinion agrees was rightly and wisely undertaken, as part of this conspicuous service in the cause of the Unitted Nations. In America the “New York Times” states that the King deserves all the warmth of the welcome which he is re- ? ceiving in North Africa, and the Washington “Times” comments: “In the cheers of the American troops the King may well find signs of the beginning of a new community which is being built on the battlefield.”

HISTORY MADE

FIRST BRITISH KING TO FLY TO BATTLEFRONT • UNANNOUNCED LANDING IN AFRICA. SHOCK FOR MECHANICS. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) LONDON, June 16. His Majesty made history in flying to North Africa in that he is the first British King to fly from Britain and also the first British monarch to fly to a battle front. The pilot of the King’s plane was Group Captain E. H. Fielden, captain of the King’s Flight, who has flown members of the Royal Family many thousands of miles. So secret were the plans for the King’s visit that only five men in North Africa knew about it in advance —General Eisenhower, General Alexander, Admiral Cunningham, Air Marshal Tedder, and Mr Harold Macmillan. The Algiers correspondent of “The Times” reveals that His Majesty’s plane landed in Morocco for an hour or so and then flew direct to Algiers. Sir James Grigg and Sir Archibald Sinclair travelled by a separate plane. There were only a few mechanics on the field when the King landed in North Africa at 8 a.m. on Saturday, says the Algiers correspondent of the Exchange Telegraph agency. Three of

them walked out to signal the plane, and they got the shock of their lives when- His Majesty, wearing the uniform of a field marshal, stepped out of the bomber. The word soon went round the airfield and a crowd of British and American ground personnel gathered round the plane. In chatting with the men his Majesty remarked that he had had a lovely flight. Lighting a cigarette, he then

walked across the airfield with his * private secretary, Sir Alexander Hard- / inge, and was greeted by General Alexander. It is learned that the King borrowed his batman’s name for the North African journey, and all his luggage was labelled “T. Jerram.” Jerram has been in the King’s service since he was the Duke of York, and was his peace time valet, but he is now in the Scots’ Guards and attached to the King as his batman. He accompanies the King on nearly all his journeys.

QUEEN’S STANDARD

FLYING OVER BUCKINGHAM PALACE. IN THE KING’S ABSENCE. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.15 a.m.) RUGBY, June 17. Tn the King’s absence the Queen’s standard, with the blue and white Bowes-Lyon quarterings, flies at Buckingham Palace.