1
THE CHINA MAIL, MARCH 14, 1941.
INDIAN ARMY
HELPED ITALIANS
ROUT
AS THE CABLES at the time briefly indicated. the broadcast given from Delhi on February 9 by the new Commander-in-Chief in India, General Sir Claude Auchinleck, paid tribute to the exploits of the Indian Troops in Libya and His Excellency fur- thermore made important references to the relation of the Indian Army with India herself.
The full text of his speech has now been receiv- ed by air nail and as the latter half of it deals spe- cially with India, it is reproduced here as of special interest to the Far East where Indian Troops are also serving.
1
After Roving a vivid account of efficiency in spate of the less in-
experiences in Norway and, teresting nature of the work. in England in training the
Fresh Honours
New
An opes. General Auchruleck said:
A few weeks ago I was told
the al
of
our
3
that
1. rome back to India to take up "Even at this moment they are the post of Commander-in-Chief, | winning fresh battle honours for the highest honour that can be their enlours, On the eve of the paid by His Majesty to an officer latest brilliant victory in Libya I the Indian Army. } need received the following message General Wavell: ---'Indian hardly say how deeply I appreciat- ! from
the early ed this privilege, though I must troops were amongst admit that I left my pust in reinforcements to arrive in Egypt maintaining the England with the greatest regret. and have been
01 had defence "On my way to India I
country over the good fortune to see good since.
"This long period of defence military effort in West Africa and was very much was rewarded by their participa impressed by the tremendous tion in the Lattle of Sidi Barrani, amount of progress being made in which the magnificent there. African tribesmen from of the Indian troops enhanced the great forests and plains of the already high reputation they Nigeria and other territories are had previously held. Since then being turned into soldiers, and Indian troops have taken part in the very good soldiers too, at an as-several in portant actions in tonishing speed.
Sudan, culminating in the most brilliant pursuit from Kassala to Keren.
In this action the Indian troops have performed extremely good work in must difficult con-
"The same applied to
Central Africa and the Sudan. Wherever I went everyone had one object and one only-to spare no effort to produce armed men to defeat the enemy. Cooperating with our troops are the Free French forces which have already attack- ed Italian posts in Southern Libya, I met French officers of Spahis fighting side by side with our Indian soldiers on the borders of Abyssinia.
At Sidi Barrani
was
ditions.'
our
work
lighten the hardships they enduring so cheerfully.
Devotion To Duty
ale
"Equally important to their comfort and peace of mind is the assurance that those they have left behind them are being watch- ed over and that their homes are secure. Both individually and collectively we can. by g.ving practical demonstration' of our pride in the deeds of our OWD soldiers and sailors, help them maintain their magnificent
to
spirit
less
battle
are
Couldn't keep my eye
on the bail to-day!
"
Page
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"There has, perhaps, been a tendency in the past to regard India's armed forces as being something apart from and of no concern to the rest of the people. I hope that that day has passed. Nothing. I suggest, can he more stimulating to understanding and mutual Γεν Брес throughout India than that the people of this country, whatever their political opinione may be on other issues, should unite in showing their pride and affection for the men of In- the Indian Army, Royal dian Navy and Indian Air Force. Their devotion to duty is unstinted; let our confidence in them be as complete. "Let us not forget above all that those who are performing the duties allotted to them in striking tasks behind the fronts and in this country making just as important a con- tribution to success as those ne- tually face to face with the enemy. "Everything goes to suggest that this present year will be a most critical one. The blows we withstood in 1940 were tremen- dous-we had our backs to the wall: In 1941 our enemies
may have to make their effort in an attempt to prevent the tables being turned on them. this "They undoubtedly know as well as we do and will spare no effort and shrink from no expense to crush us. ล
Although it seems as if the United Kingdom is likely to have
bear the brunt of this gigantic assault, no one can foretell from what other directions attack may come in an attempt to stop once and for all the rapidly growing collect.ve power of the Empire.
"We are prepared for the or- deal, In the British people we have the finest possible exemple of courage, self-sacrifice and de- termination in the face of danger. I have seen for qualities displayed time and time myself these
classes, and we too must not spare again by people of all ranks and
ourselves in
HONG our effort to place beyond doubt the victory of toleration, justice and goodwill."
British-
leading
"The fact that Indian troops took part in the victory of Sidi Bar- started rani, the battle which
the italian rout in Libya, can. not fall to make
in us here India tremendously proud of them. They have won golden opinions everywhere and it is for us to see that the troops which follow them overseas shall tack for nothing that they need
to enable them to keep the same high standard.
"In the Eastern Sudan 1 privileged to see a number of 'our indian units, some of which 'bad already fought at Sidt Bar-
rani and others which had come "I welcome this chance of tell- direct from India. The Italiansing all our troops in Egypt and had not then withdrawn from the Sudan how very pleased Kassala and their other advanced was to be able to see something posts, and our men, inferior in of them under active service Strength
the enemy, were conditions, how grateful I am to strung out over an immense front them for their welcome to
me awaiting reinforcements before and how intensely proud I am of beginning their attack.
them.
tu
I
"In spite of their relative weak- "I wish I could have stayed ness in numbers, they and the with them, but I hope it will not Sudan Defence Force, which has, be long before I am able to visit greatly distinguished itself, were them again. As I said before, in complete control of No-Man's the driving of the Italians out Land, having entirely deprived of Africa is a most important the Italians of their initiative. I step towards winning the war
"I can say at once that, al- and it is good to think that In- though I have served continuous-dia is playing a major part in ly with Indian troops for over this effort.
38 years, I have never seen In- "Here in this country we can than units which looked happier, best honour the gallantry and Atter or more on their toes. I devotion of our Indian soldiers saw men of many classes and it overseas by doing everything we was the same everywhere.
can to help to win that complete "The British units, of whom victory which alone will restore there are many with the force, peace and security. To-day In- seemed to me, in the light of my dian troops in North Africa considerable experience with Bri-fighting side by side with British, tish troops at home, to be of the Australian, New Zealand, South very best, tough. and At, and African and Free French forces adapting themselves to the con- to destroy once and for all the ditions of that wild country as threat to bring war to the shores only British soldiers can. The of India from North Africa,
combination of the two services seemed to me about as perfect as il could be.
course the
Threefold Duty
are
"I came away with the most "Our duty to them is threefold, comforting and gratifying sense We must ensure that their efforts of efficiency, purpose and deter- are not rendered in vain by any. mination. Conditions are of failures on our part to make this often uncomfortable and country, that is this great country work is hard and. strenu-of India, secure against direct ous, but a soldier expects this. attack from any direction.
We. The men are well fed, well cloth- must place ourselves in a position ed and excellently -looked after. to give our men actually facing There is no doubt that in the the enemy in the field the great- Sudan we have a modern army est possible assistance and sup. excellently commanded and led, port of which we are capable, in trained to war under modern the form of trained reinforce- conditions, very well able to look ments and supplies. after itself in all circumstances, and ready to give much harder blows than it will receive.
I
to
"We must also and here would particularly appeal those who, for one ·reason · ́or "I was able to visit also In another,, may not be able to take dian reinforcement camps in a direct part in the immense Egypt and. Indian units guarding military and industrial effort on the Suez Canal and, other Im-which India has embarked 'portant points in the rearward such striking results-provide our arcag. Here, too, I found the men oversens with all the com- same state of cheerfulness and forts and amenities we can to
with
to
supreme
WHISKY
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