“PEOPLE’S WAR”

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21178, 30 July 1940, Page 6

“PEOPLE’S WAR”

MOVEMENT IN BRITAIN READINESS FOR ATTACK PEOPLE LEAD RULERS (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, July 29 “ Arm the people,” the cry which has gone through many stages from the first unreflecting enthusiasm to more mature afterthoughts, appears to be merging into a more general movement to proclaim this a “ people’s war.” Such a movement will have more far-reaching implications than the simple considerations of tactics and supply involved in the general issue of rifles and hand grenades. First, it links up with the undercurrent of criticism which is becoming impatient with officialdom and red tape. Hence the widespread acclamation for Mr Churchill’s declaration that “ this is no war of chieftains and princes, but of peoples and of causes fought by unknown warriors.” Secondly, the movement acquires importance the more it brings into the open the subdued controversy whether Britain is fighting exclusively the German and Italian aggressors or Fascism generally. Sponsorship by Press One of the most interesting aspects of the campaign is its sponsorship by Lord Beaverbrook’s press, the policy of which has been identified with the proprietorship, and is now identified with a Cabinet Minister who is Mr Churchill’s confidant. The Evening Standard yesterday praised Mr Churchill’s acknowledgment that this is “ our ” war, whereas some have been inclined to believe that it is “ their ” war. They have pictured themselves as leaders of the people whose occasional forebodings needed to be soothed, but throughout the months of war the people have led their rulers,” added the Evening Standard. “It was fishermen who went to Whitehall and demanded arms for trawlers, and thus built a people’s navy. It was unknown seamen risking their lives hourly who defeated the menace of the magnetic mine. It was men in jerseys and rubber boots who snatched the lives of comrades from the death trap at Dunkirk. Civilians as Heroes People throughout the country realise more and more each day that this is their war as more and more villages and hamlets organise themselves as fortresses, as more and more humble and obscure civilians in raided areas emerge as heroes in their work as A.R.P. wardens, fire-fighters and stretcher-bearers.

Every town in the coastal areas has become a miniature Aldershot. Soldiers are everywhere. Large scale billeting has been undertaken. There is evidence on all sides that mobile defence units will play a prominent part against invasion. They are scattered throughout the country, and possess most formidable modern weapons with which to deal with dive bombers, armoured troops, or light tanks landed from aeroplanes. The size of these units is a War Office secret. They are “ all purpose ” squads, ready for any attack anywhere. They depend for their effectiveness on multiple armament, and their drivers’ skill in handling engines which are a triumph of Briish workmanship.