1941-06-11 — Page 17

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THE CHINA MAIL, JUNE 11, 1941

CHURCHILL REVIEW OF WAR

Spirited Defence Of

Mr. Hore-Belisha Blamed For Lack Of Equipment

THE

MR. WINSTON CHURCHILL BEGAN HIS REPLY TO DEBATE IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS YESTERDAY IN AN EASY AND CONFIDENT TONE, DECLARING NOBODY COULD POSSIBLY COMPLAIN OF THE TONE, TEMPER AND MATTER OF THE DEBATE AND ADDING: "THE KIND OF CRITICISM WE HAVE HAD TO-DAY—SOME VERY SEARCHING IS THE KIND THE GOVERNMENT NOT ONLY ACCEPT BUT WELCOME.

"However, the way in which the debate came about is calculated to give a feeling of challenge to the security of the administra-Milne asked why it was, when we tion. From the viewpoint of advantage to the country that raises serious considera- tions.

of our available resources to meet

"For instance; Sir J. Wardlaw-

had. Crete in our possession for more than six months, we did not construct numerous air flelds and place them in the highest state of defence, and he reminded. us how efficiently the Germans vary.

done such work if Crete had fallen into their hands. Guns Could Not Be Spared

the many calls made upon them.

"There are all kinds of paragraphs and would have reports in the newspapers that there is grave uneasiness and unrest and demanding a 'full accounting. Therefore one is bound to take à serious view because of the interests con- fided to our care.

110

the

operation which is

ended

શ

may.

very

Great Risks

guna

Policy

he speaks in this way it is only fair to point out he is one of the last people who are entitled to take that line."

defend the anchorage of Suda Bay as an important naval base, to develop the aerodrome nearby and provide the base and drome with the largest quantity of high' and Here the Labour member, Mr. kaw ceiling guns which we thought | Granville, interposed "No recrim- it ft to divert from other strate- ination." gic points in the Mediterranean.

Mr. Churchill continued: " Ex- "We provided, in fact, a deter-tremely violent hostile speeches rent to enemy attack sufficiently have been spread about,' doing to require a major effort on his much harm, and about which I part.

from have received information "BUT THERE ARE MANY different countries and capitals ISLANDS AND STRATEGIC showing the uncertainty and dis- POINTS IN THE SEAS, AND TO turbance which are caused there- ATTEMPT TO BE SAFÉ EVERY- {by. WHERE IS TO MAKE SURE OF "The output of A.A. guns is at last rapidly expanding, but the fact remains that our outfits are

BEING STRONG NOWHERE.

"Therefore, if the House were able to go

in detail into these might feel that a

matters, they

of our forces was made, but with-

Incomparably inferior In num- bere to those possessed by the Germans, and every claim has to be weighed against every other clalm.

reasonable and right disposition out going into facts and figures, do, it is quite impossible for the may fairly be asked is why

which nobody would wish me to

"Another general question which we and! have not a much stronger much larger Air Force in the Mid- dle East.

the "I can only say that from "But a man must be a per-moment the Battle of Britain was: fect fool who thinks wo have decided in our favour, in Sep- large quantities of A.A. guna,tember and Oktober last year, by we and aircraft lying about unused, the victories of our fighters, at the present: time.

have been ceaselessly sending air- as possible to the craft as fast Middle East by every route and every method.

House, or even for the news papers, to arrive at a justly pro- portioned and level judgment on this affair.

Warning Four Years Ago

Nazi Advantages

Assault On Britain

"So far as A.A. guns are con- cerned, as large and expanding as

"During the present year, as our is our prosent production, every strength in the air has grown, we single gun is in action at some have not been hampered as we necessary point or other, and all were in the case of A.A. guns, by future production for many lack of aircraft. The problem has months ahead is eagerly competed heen to send them to the Eastern "Everyone will admit it would for by the rival claimants, with theatre of war.

cases behind a mistake to make a very often massive

"Anyone have been

can see how great in each one. air fields

are the German advantages and great number of

could find anti- "In March, 1937, I mentioned to Crete unless we

how easy it is for the German both of high and the House that the Germans. had

to move their air force from one "Neither have heard any aircraft, guns, "It would be a mistake if the

tide of Europe to another. House got into the habit of call- convincing statement by Mus-low ceiling, and alrcraft to defend already 1,500 mobile A.A. guns, would formed into batteries, in addition

"They can fly along a line of ing for explanations of the vary- Bolini why the greater part of those air fields, for that

Wherever his African Empire has been simply have facilitated the descent to the whole of their static artil-permanent air fields. ing episodes of this dangerous

troops lery of A.A. defence. enemy's air-borne

they alight and refuel there are and widespread struggle

conquered and over 200,000 of of the and

"Since then they have been

permanent air fields in the high- asked for an account to be given his soldiers are prisoners In upon the island.

To answer the question why there making them at a great rate and eat state of efficiency, and as for our hands. when any action was lost or any

also conquered more services and personnel and all were not enough guns provided for they have part of the front was beaten in.

in than all they want from the many stores. without which squadrons Complicated Campaign the two serviceable air fields "In the first place,

Crete, one would have to consid- countries they have overthrown, are quite useless, these can go by full

is very different the grand continental evnresses explanation could possibly be "I should feel under a need-er whether we could spare them so our position

along the main European lines. given without

That leads us to indeed from them. valu-less disadvantage revealing

if I were ob- for that purpose.

"To-day Mr. Hore-Belisha made able Information to the enemy liged in public debate to give an a wider sphere.

cogent, moderate, well- not only about

particular account of our operations irres- "All this time the Battle of the a very

but pective of whether the time was Atlantic has been going on and informed and thoughtful contribu- tion to the debate but he used a number of a very great

"One has only to compare this about the general position and suitable or not.

process with sending aircraft also on the processes of thought "It would, for instance, have which might usefully have been very different mood and tone in a

deployed in Crete have been and speech which he recently deliver-parked in crates then nut on shins which are followed by our war been a nuisance if Parliament had

and sent direction and High Command,

on the great ocean demanded a debate on the loss of are being mounted in merchanted in the country,

"THAT MAKES IT NECES- spaces until they reach the Cape "There is always it danger Hood before

versels to beat off the attacks of we had been in a

Fokker Wulff and Heinkel air. SARY FOR ME TO SAY THAT of Good Hope, then taken to that

Minister

in position to explain the measures

craft whose depredations have THE STATE IN WHICH OUR Egypt, set up again, tuned up and seeking to vindicate the course we had taken to secure the des-

been lossened thereby,

ARMY WAS LEFT WHEN MR. put in the air when they arrive. we have pursued, inadvertently|truction of the Bismarck.

HORE-BELISHA HAD ENDED "Thus the Germans can do in say something which may sup- "I have always taken

HIS TENURE OF THE WAR days what is taken us weeks or ply the enemy with some essen- great pains to serve the House

OFFICE, During the GREAT-, even more. tial, perhaps seemingly innocent and always to associate the House

"Again, we must consider whe- ER PART OF WHICH HE WAS "THIS REFLECTION HAS A looking, fact about which the with events, and it would be bel- enemy is in doubt and thus en- ter if I were permitted, on behalf ther our air felds at home, our ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR PRO- BEARING UPON A POSSIBLE the air factories or ports and cities. DUCTION AND SUPPLY, WAS, GERMAN MOVEMENT. BACK able the enemy to construct

to choose a of Government,

FROM EAST TO WEST, WHICH compressed and accurate picture occasion for making a statement which are under heavy and dan- LAMENTABLE.

COULD BE EXECUTED VERY of the way in which we are look-about the war, which I am most gerous attacks, should have been

further denuded or stinted of guns Hore-Belisha Interrupts SECRETLY IF THEY ARE RE- ing at things.

anxious to do. (Cheers).

"Another general reason why in the last six months for the sako

SOLVED UPON AN ASSAULT in the Middle East "We were short of every essen- ON THIS COUNTRY. Hitler Did Not Explain │I should have deprecated a de- of the war

tial supply but most particularly bate on the fighting in Crete is beyond what we have done,

"We have done, are doing and

"The

"Further, everything we send of special classes of modern wear will do our utmost to build up the dictator governments that it was only one part of a

to and complicated. the Middle East ls out are not under any similar pres- very important

of pons, A.A. guns, anti-tank guns largest possible air force in the action for the best part of three; and the tank itself, which have Middle East. It is not a matter of sure to explain or excuse any campaign which is being fought in

months as it has go round proved themselves a vital neces-aircraft but solely of transporta- UN Success that may befall the Middle East and can only be

the Cape."

sity of modern war and which, he reviewed as one part. them.

not in the sense of ship- Mr. Churchill continued: "We is now prepared to suggest, we are ping tonnage but to the time it "Unlike these pretentious

and

have formidable potentates, I am only

run very great risks and so purblind and out-dated as not

takes to transfer under conditions serious maulings in to be able to comprehend." faced very Crown, servant of the

with

(Here Mr. Hore-Belisha inter- of the present war. considerable responsibility upon "TO SELECT ONE PARTICU-this island in order to sustain the

"As to the disposition of our Air- and vened to point out that in Bel-Force in the Middle East, it is me, and they would not wish LAR SECTOR OF OUR WIDELY war in the Mediterranean,

the finest lot of whom any servant

they have EXTENDED FRONT FOR DE- nobody can be judge whether we glum we lost

duties entrusted with such

to BATE IS PARTICULARLY should have run more risks or ex- equipment that had ever left Bri- primarily a matter for the Com- to heavier pun- tish shores. He asked the Prime manders-in-Chief in the Middle Government share be at a disadvantage to our anta- LOPSIDED AND MISLEADING posed ourselves

that up till East; though gonists.

METHOD OF EXAMINING THEishment at home for the sake of Minister to recall

the full responsibility for what- fortifying and multiplying the very recently before the war, I have not heard that Hitler CONDUCT OF THE WAR.

ever is done. Had to attend the Reichstag and "The vast scene can only be Cretan air flelds without having a Parliament, and the country, was intimate knowledge of opposed to the creation of a con- tell them why he sent the. Bis- surveyed as a whole and ought not full and marck on her disastrous cruise to be debated piecemeal, especial- all our resources and making a finental army which; nevertheless, Co-ordination in Cairo

of the various he tried to create),

"Co-ordination between the Ber hen, by waiting a few weeks ly at a time when the operations, complete survey

Mr. Churchill proceeded: "I am vices is his and choosing

carried to a very high opportunity, which are all related to one an-claims upon them.

dealing not with the particular When perhaps our capital ships other, we wholly incomplete.

"Into a general survey of the

A Deterrent ere dispersed on convoy. duty,

equipment of the troops who went pitch. The Chief Air Officer lives to France, who naturally drained in the same house in Cairo as e might have gone out accom-wer come all sorts of considera-

We did, however, from the the rest of our resources, but the the Commander-in-Chief. inied by the Tirpitz; another tions about the gain and loss 1000-ton ship, and offered us time and its effect upon the future,moment the Greek Government equipment of our army at that ttle.

as well as the entire distribution I invited us into Crete, take steps to time.

Airfields In Crete

A

DANCE IN THE OPEN-

of

TO FRED CARPIO'S POPULAR SWING ORCHESTRA

FINE LIQUORS

GOOD FOOD

NORTH POINT

Ritz The

OPEN TIL

TEL 34196.

Hore-Bellsha's Responsibility

tion

·

"The Naval Commander-in- Chief has to be at sea very often, He has to be at Alexandria but the very closest association exists between these two branches.

"The idea that any one of these problems would be studied "At the outbreak of war this by these two commanders with- was of a most me re and out the closest association with dofiolent character and thess the other, two is quite ulusory!! dáfialenales made "themsolved |__ (Here a Member." querled most marked, and stille" make has the final say?" themselves. Mo marked. In, the.

very type of

pons-for which

therapia. the greatest ossible

demar

tekam, not throwing all the lame this pon Mr. Hore

but he has great respons in this matter, and when

No Disagreement

.....