Mr. Pent
"
Evening Standard
BUSHIDO
BUSHIDO, we are told, is
the name given to the ancient Japanese code of chivalry. Henceforth, it should acquire the same common usage as the word Quisling." It might be used to describe the frauds per- petrated by our enemies or the illusions fostered by our- selves that this war can be won by any other means but the most fearful, bloody and remorseless fighting. Bushido is the answer to anyone who expects any quarter from our deadly enemies.
Long ago in the days of 1939 we seemed to believe that the victory could be gained by pounds, shillings and pence. Proudly we sur- veyed the vast total of poten- tial Allied resources. We had the gold. Hitler had none. War seemed to be nothing more than a counting house operation until after that first winter Hitler proved that labour universal coinage than the most precious metal in the world.
was a more
Other illusions, less childish, but no les danger- ous, have prevailed since then. One school claimed that sea power alone could enable us to win. Let Britain only hold the seas and our enemies would suffer a slow process of strangulation. Once, no doubt, that doctrine was true. It was a happy one for us in our possession of an island and ocean empire. But to-day that doctrine is destroyed. The airplane has prevented ships from moving so easily on the seas, whilst the speed of land warfare has deprived sea bases of their impregna. bility. Singapore in Japanese hands, with its guns still facing seawards, is the epitaph on that illusion.
171 /
Lvening Stalicaru
1 MAR 1942
▲ Air power fighting alon as an offensive weapon has suffered an equal eclipse. It lost the Battle of Britain and now even the most vociferous British protagon- ists of the long-term bomb- ing strategy have mitigated their claims. The bombing of the Renault factory in Paris, despite its great success, is the final revela- tion of reality. To win by bombs we should have to do to the whole continent of Europe what the Luftwaffe failed to do to this island.
▲ Still yet another illusion persists. Production, we are told, is the key to victory. Certainly, without a con- stantly increased production, we cannot win. After Dun- kirk it was the key. Without it we could do nothing. Yet now the truth has become only half true. We cannot win by piling up machines. Sooner or later-and better sooner they must be hurled into desperate, bloody battle. And in that test we shall need the fighting spirit and military aptitude of a great mass of the British people developed to its highest point.
▲ The task cannot be left to the financiers, the sailors or the airmen. Victory cannot be secured at warships weeks or on the seas or in the skies. Ships and airplanes will have to assist eventual battle on land. This nation will have to face and bear great bloodshed and sacri- fice. There is no other road and no easy way to win. As wise to put our trust in Japanese chivalry as to believe the war can be won, by any other means.