BATTLE FOR BRITAIN

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21226, 24 September 1940, Page 5

BATTLE FOR BRITAIN

HIS MAJESTY REVIEWS SITUATION CONFIDENCE IN JUSTICE OF CAUSE NEW DECORATION CREATED FOR CIVILIAN HEROES (Official Wireless) (Received Sept. 24, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 23 King George, in a broadcast this evening, heard by the whole world, said: “It is just over a year since the war began. The British peoples entered it with open eyes, recognising how formidable were the forces against them, but confident in the justice of their cause. “ Now, after a year, let us consider together where we stand. Much has happened since September, 1939. Great nations have fallen. The battle at that time was so far away that we could only just hear its rumbling. “ Now at our very doors the armies of invasion are massed across the Channel only twenty miles from our shores. The air fleets of the enemy launch their attacks day and night against our cities. We stand in the front line to champion those liberties and traditions which are our heritage. “ As we brace ourselves for the battle there is much to encourage us. We have with us brave contingents from the forces of our Allies. We have behind us the goodwill of all who love freedom. Our friends in America have shown us this in many ways, not least by their gifts for the relief of suffering in this war. “Nearer home, in the British Commonwealth itself, the struggle of the mother country has been made the struggle of the whole family. From every part of it men and material are coming in an increasing flow, and there is an eager desire to share in the sacrifices which will bring us victory. “ In this battle for Britain London, the mighty capital of the Empire, occupies the forefront. Others of our cities are being subjected to barbarous attacks. Our sympathy goes out to them all, but it is London that is for the time being bearing the brunt of the enemy’s spite. “ I am speaking now from Buckingham Palace, with its honourable scars, to Londoners first of all, though of course my words apply equally to all British cities, towns and hamlets which are enduring the same dangers. The Queen and I have seen many places here which have been most heavily bombed and many of our people who have suffered and are suffering most. Our hearts are with them tonight. Their courage and cheerfulness, their faith in their country's cause and final victory, are an inspiration to the rest to persevere. “ To the men and women who carry on the work of the air raid precaution services I should like to say a special word of gratitude. The devotion of these civilian workers, firemen, salvage men and many others in the face of grave and constant danger has won new renown for the British name. These men and women are worthy partners of our armed forces and our police —of the Navy, once more, as so often before, our sure shield, and the merchant navy, of the Army and the Home Guard, alert and eager to repel any invader, and of the Air Force, whose exploits are the wonder of the world. “ Tonight, indeed, we are a nation on guard, and in the line each task, each bit of duty done, however simple and domestic, is part of our war work. It takes rank with the sailors’ duty, the soldiers’ and airmen’s duty. “ The men and women in factories or on railways w’ho work on regardless of danger though the sirens sound, maintaining all services and the necessities of common life, and keeping the fighting line well supplied with weapons, earn their place among the heroes of this war. “No less honour is due to all those who, night after night, uncomplainingly endure discomfort, hardship and peril in their homes and shelters. “ Many and glorious are the deeds of gallantry done during these perilous but famous days. In order that they should be worthily and promptly recognised I have decided to create at once a new T mark of honour for men and women in all walks of civilian life. I propose to give my name to the new distinction, which will consist of the George Cross, ranknig next to the Victoria Cross, and the George Medal for wider distribution. “ As we look around us we see on every side that in the hour of her trial the mother city is proving herself to he built as a city of unity. It is not the walls that make a city hut the people who live within. The walls of London may he battered but the spirit of Londoners stands resolute and undismayed. “As in London so throughout Britain. Buildings rich in beauty and historic interest may he wantonly attacked, humbler houses no less dear and familiar may he destroved, but there'll always he an England to stand before the world as the symbol and citadel of freedom and to he our own dear home. “ And here I would like to tell sorrowing parents how dreplv we grieve for them in the loss of their young ones in the ship torpedoed without warning in the mid-Atlantic. Surelv the world could have no clearer proof of the wickedness against which we fight than this foul deed. We live in grim times and it may he that the future will be grimmer yet. Winter lies before us, cold and dark, hut let us he of good cheer. “ After winter comes the spring and after our present trials will assuredly come victory and release from these evil things. Let us then put our trust, as I do, in God and in the unconquerable spirit of the British peoples.” The King broadcast from an underground shelter at Buckingham Palace during an air raid warning.