THE CHINA MAIL, AUGUST 7, 1941:
Labiny, Suppo
Com
· Page
CHEERFULNESS BREAKS IN
Mr. Attlee's Commons Speech
Tribute To Fine Soviet Effort: Review
Of War
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS CHEERED LUSTILY. YESTERDAY WHEN THE LORD PRIVÝ SEAL, MR. C. R. ATTLEĘ, REFERRED TO THE MAGNIFICENT FIGHT OF THE RUSSIAN ARMY AND PEOPLE WHEN HE OPENED THE DEBATE ON THE WAR SITUATION.
Mr. Attlee stressed the very heavy losses in men and materials by the German forces and gave an indication of the weight of the British air offensive, but he added caution against undue optimism.
when
KRUPPS AT
PLIGHT OF
ESSEN BOMBED BRITISH
TWENTY TIMES
The Air Minister disclosed in a parlia- mentary answer yes- terday that the Krupp's armament works at Essen had been attacked on 20 occasions.
British Wireless.
The Real Facts There were, he said, satisfactory features "In comparison of these figures
"What were the real facts? in the present phase of the struggle which with those of other periods of the There were no destroyers, no the ratio of aircraft Q-boats and no auxiliary cruisers made it difficult for even the most philoso-destroyed was so much in our present.
favour, it must be remembered phical to prevent cheerfulness from breaking that the true standard is not with September last, for then the Ger- mans were attacking this country
in.
There was nothing wrong in being cheer-in force. ful provided we did not allow ourselves to re- lax our efforts.
although
of
being open, while in the We should recognise that our from better situation was only com- | Ukraine, Kiev, the capture parative and that
we which the Germans claimed three had come through great dangers weeks ago, is still the bastion in and triumphs, we were still fight-the Russian defence.
over
"It was the Germans who were sending their aircraft here In daylight, it is our turn to at tack
enemy territory by night and by day. "I think
the the result shows continued superiority of our men and machines."
The convoy was protected by corvettes, which gave a very good account of themselves, as
U-boats have the Khow.
CIVILIANS
The plight of British civilians detained in enemy-occupied countries was touched upon by Mr. Anthony Eden in the Commons yesterday when questioned on this sub- ject.
The release of such persong, said Mr. Eden, was largely a mat- ter of reciprocity. Since it was contrary to the policy of the Bri- tish Government to release enemy had been taken to secure the re- subjects of military age, no step patriation of male British subjects who, at the outbreak of war, were their education at completing continental universities.
While the British and German Governments were in general "I cannot give exact details of the tonnage sunk. The enemy's! agreement as to the repatriation claims represent an exaggeration on a reciprocal basis, of
classes of civilian subjects, it un- of at least 350 per cent. and pro- fortunately so far had been found bably 700 per
(Laughter
impossible to arrive at any under- and cheers).
standing on the route by which repatriation could take place,
cent.
reason to
"If there were really adme grounde for enemy satisfaction would be unnecessary Indulge in these flights fancy.
It Declaring that he could not be
to help
ing for our very existence against "It is clear, from a communique expected to give any indication of a very strong and ruthless enemy. of the German High Command, other steps being taken
Outstanding fact of the posi- that they have been disagreeably Russia, Mr. Attlee said the House tion to-day as compared with surprised by
the determination, could rest assured that within the everything possible a year ago was that Hitler was courage and fighting quality of practical
two fighting on now
fronta, the Russian Army (Cheers). From would be done. which
Essential feature of the aid that German leaders had the tone of German statements, it always striven to avold.
would appear
hot Britain could give was not that it that they do Hitler had attacked Britain furi-
consider such pertinacity to be would be spectacular but that it ously by air. Hr had waged quite playing the game (Laugh- would be effective. war unceasingly at sen but inva- ter). sion, which at one time seemed imminent had been postponed.
But, said Mr. Altlee. nothing could be more foolish than imagine that postponement ineant abandonment,
Holding Our Own
to of
"None with any judgment would contend we have yet won the Battle of the Atlantic but we can say that in this vital part of the battlefeld we are holding our
own.
other
The German refusal to grant a sale tonduct for any ship carrying United civillatis to or from the Kingdom had rendered progress impracticable for the time being.
Reuter,
NAZI DEMANDS ON VICHY
(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL") The official Russian Tass agency "The enemy Battle Of Atlantic
has up to now yesterday caffled a Bernie des "It may not be the Nazi game,
failed to prevent the
orderly patch that Germany has presented but it is a winning game. It is
the transport of food and ammunt-Vichy with demands for bases. în Referring to the Battle of clear the Germans have sustained to very
heavy losses in men, and Atlantic, Mr. Attlee said that dur-lion across the seas to this coun- Algiers, Casablanca and Dakar. material. I sure everybodying the past two months the Ger- | try.
the efforts has been stirred by this splendid mans had continued resistance to the invader (Loud to achieve success. Cheers)."
With the coming of spring the Germans were able to put an in- creasing number of U-boats into the
attempt
Constant Factor'
The possibility of an
remain remained and must constant factor in our considera-
tions.
il
Instructions had been given to all forces in the British Isles to of highest state bring to the readiness the preparations against invasion.
was
The British Army at home ready well equipped 'and
immea. and all strength was surably greater than 12 months ago.
He was confident that
a German attempt at
by sea or air take
place
British Aid
same
war
for
water. Britain had made early provision to meet this dan- ger by providing more anti-sub- marine craft.
An answer is expected not later IT IS WORTH REMEMBER-thin Sunday, the report claimed. ING THAT THE WAR AT SEA International News Service. Prem
HAS ITS OFFENSIVE, ALSO SIDE. JULY WAS A GOOD MONTH.
both on the Libyan border and in Tobruk, where the vigour of the "On the North Sea and the British fighting patrols had kept Atlantic coast Wo destroyed, the enemy in such a state of con- damaged or put out of action 69tinued nervousness that he had to enemy ships totalling 291,000 illuminate the desert by night tons. This does not account for
with searchlights... hits made an email, craft, bargés, Meanwhile, Mr. Attice continu- tugs and the like.
by ed, "day by day and week
and week, tanks, guris, planes
arrive in supplies continue to the Middle East and reorganisa tion and training for the next forward. mave go on.
L
In the course of the last few heavy months, owing to the scale of defence in home waters,
"In the Mediterranean the num- the enemy had to tend to range further and further affeld so bers were 23 ships totalling 168,- that the sea battle was now be-000 tons, and another 30 ships immense were hit and considerably damag- Ing fought area extending far out toward ed. the coasts of the United States and far south
Mr. Attlee continued: "We are doing our utmost to give all pos- sible assistance to our ally. A British military mission was at work in Moscow six days after the German invasion and a Rus- been at work sian mission has in London for about the time.
•Wo
are taking urgent steps to furnish Russla with materials and supplies which the has asked. should "The activities of our Fleet at invasion Kirkenes and elsewhere in the
show they north
how close is our physical contact with the Russian "we have forces.
severe losses. "Above all, while the Russian the been stemming armies had attacks in the east, our bombers are delivering increasingly heavy and central attacks on western Germany.
would be destroyed but nothing could be left to chance.
Gigantic Struggle
Mr. Attlee continued: "To-day our eyes are naturally turned to the gigantic struggle ranging from Black Seu. the White to the
of that! Throughout the whole enormous battle area, the Russia Army and people are putting up a magnificent fight (Loud Cheers) against the massed forces of Ger- many and the hangers-on of the Nazi regime.
"It would be very" foölich" for any one to attempt to forecast the outcome of that · struggle. but I think it is abundantly plain the plans of the German High Command for a rapid vic.
not have.
succeeded tory: (Choors):
over
coas of Africa.
an
"Attacks were also made on
in the tropical more ships with satisfactory re-
sults. Apart from attacks
on
In this battle, said Mr. Attlee, smaller units and attacks on war- tons were sunk, suffered chips, 459,000 of course
damaged or put out of action in
(Cheers). We shall not be satisfied that month." while these losses continus but we can look back on the last two months with reasonable satisfaction.
the
Nazi Anxieties ⠀
"Another fact which differ- entiated our situation from thất of last year is the vastly In- creased scope of the assistance we are recolving from the Unit- ed States. (Cheers).
"Not only does this stream of matérial exceed anything we received in the last war but it is sent to us under the extraor- Mr. Attlee continued; "Consid-dinarily generous terms of the
· European Untegr
the
"I cannot give detailed figures ering that targets offered by the Lease and Lend Act, (Cheers):
are much smaller than The visit of Mr. Harry Hopkins without presenting enemy enemy with information he would much jours, these results must cause him had for its main purpose Heavy Bombings
like to have but I can say that anxiety and may contribute to the promotion of even greater "Whenever weather conditions supplies have been maintained at need for his putting out extrava-sistance under this Act" allow our attacks proceed without a satisfactory figure in spite of gant claims."
Mr. Attlee made a reference to, and with growing all the enemy's efforts. (Cheers). cessation
the successful convoying of stores weight while the depth to which
through the danger areas of the There was clear evidence, he Mediterranean and paid, amidst continued, of the rising tide of "During the month of July "Our convoys of vital supplies cheers, a high tribute to the skill resistance to Hitler's rule in all 70 attacks were mads on towns continue to arrive: From July 31 and courage of the protecting the invaded countries. From the in Germany and 78 on towns to July 28 the enemy were un-naval and air forces start there had beer sullen resent- In German occupied territory.able to broadcast a single clain
they penetrate increases while the Convoys Get Through
nights lengthền.
::
WAY of a successful attack by a U-
boats
Referring to the Middle East, ment and growing opposition, Mr Attlee Said the presence of and this increased month | British forceson.,
n the Turcomonth.
Syrian border would confirm. The "V" Campaign'
stunt but the spor
and fortify Britain's Friendship and alliance with the Turks and pressión of the desire enable Britain to afford greater
of civilised human protection to the inhabitants of, longed for deliverance Cyprus.
barbarian rutosam
A heavy weight of bombs. delivered "with" "great""offdet::: "THESE KEEN BLOWS WILL. HOWEVER, IN THE LAST "As long ago as July 13, the BE CONTINUED AND INTENSI-FEW DAYS OF THE MONTH, U-BOATS ~ DID MEET WITH Germans claimed that Smolensk FIED, (CHEERS). had fallen and that the roads to "In addition to night bombing ONE OF THE SOUTHBOUND Leningrad, Moscow and Kiev there have been numerous inten-ATLANTIC CONVOYS, A were open. This claira has cer-sive sweeps by fighter aircraft and LARGE FORCE WAS DEPLOY-
In the south-cast only a small Mr. Attlee concluded. daylight bombing raids with and ED AND A GREAT EFFORT
pocket of Italians was held up in nations in Europe luok to us. tainly not been substantiated.
WAS MADE." "In the fut North, Murmansk without fighter aircraft,
"A still greater offört was Gondar, Elsewhere in Abyssinia only to destroy Hitlerism but remains in Russian hands. Rus- "I do not think there can be sian-resistance is stubborn and any doubt as to the effect of these made by the Nazi propaganda the Emperor, with the help of his to show by prattice as well as the enemy has a considerable way attacks on German morale and claim to have sunk 116,000 tons Cabinet of Ministers; hud begun by preceptum true alternative to to go before the failway line from German communications and Get-In addition to a corvette and a the reconstruction of his country. Hitler's new order......
"We cannot foresee whither the destroyer:
|(Loud cheers);} Leningrad to Murmansk Is reach man industry.
At the Emperor's request, ad-time or the circumstances, They gave a vivid 8686rip- tion of destroyer: squadron jvisors had been placed at his disFour victory; we cannot tell the sailing around the convoy posal by the British Government trials and dificulties that we zigzagging" White ant nusillary and financial assistance was being have yet to endure, but we know orulsor directed the movements afforded.
ed.
Smolensk ̃Battle'
"On the south shore of the Bal
tle. the thrust towards Leningrad has made to real progress retent- Tremendous fighting is now
ly.
"In the Middle East during July our air force delivered 126 attacks on various targets, including Bol rut, Benghazi and Tripoli,
Comparison Of Losses
unge have lost 286 aircraft while taking place in the Smolensk area, we have destroyed for certain 410 but the way to Moscow is still feel units of the enemy dis fier
of the convoy Kind the pro- teating chips," which included a boat
"Next day they raised the total tonnage sunk to 140,909 t
Libyan Campaign
On the left flank, in was a constant fr
ya, the
of
that when victory cries, as coma it will, we shall have to take a leading part in helping establish a world of bouro, free- dom and social justice." (Loud cheers)Routered: adue;