MORE MEN NEEDED

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21214, 10 September 1940, Page 6

MORE MEN NEEDED

INVINCIBILITY OF EGYPT LORD BIRDWOOD’S VIEWS (United Press Asn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Sept. 8 Emphasising the importance of making Egypt invincible, FieldMarshal Lord Birdwood says in an article in the Sunday Graphic that more men should be sent there. If Egypt fell, not only would the whole of Africa be imperilled, but the road to India would be open and the Suez Canal closed to the Empire. The Persian Gulf, Red Sea, and the Indian Ocean would become the home waters of the Italian Fleet, he says. Palestine could not be held, Syria and Persia would be naked to attack, and Iranian oil would feed the Germans. “There must be no more Somalilarnds, with the parrot-cry, ‘it doesn’t matter,’ ” he adds. “Somaliland did matter. Mussolini’s victory was worth an army corps by way of propaganda to his lukewarm home population. “Hitler’s diplomatic chess game in the Balkans is simply clearing one or two roads which might take him to India and the Middle East—Austria, Hungary, Rumania, Bulgaria, the Dardanelles, Turkey, Syria, Arabia, Persia and the north-west frontier. “If it is possible to dominate Greece, with Albania already in the bag, the way will be cleared for a smash against Turkey. It is a long and perilous road to India, but it can be done. Further, it is spangled with rich prizes in the shape of oil and raw materials.” Lord Birdwood expressed the opinion that Hitler will be forced to turn to the East if the Italians look like facing a heavy defeat. Want to Fight Italians The town in Egypt where the large convoys of troops which arrived yesterday disembarked rang with cheers all day as they left their ships and set off for Cairo, Palestine and other sectors. The one idea of the troops seemed to be to get into action against the Italians as soon as possible.

A welcome to the troops was given by the Commander-in-Chief of the British Forces in the Middle East, Sir Archibald Wavell. The Australians who have arrived in Egypt left Melbourne on July 18. They include several thousand officers and men of the Royal Australian Air Force, the first contingent of Australian airmen to go to the Middle East.