1941-06-11 — Page 2

CHURCHILL REVIEW Spirited Defence

Mr. Hore-Belisha Blamed For Lack Of Equipment

Of

THE CHINA MAIL, JUNE 11, 1941

OF WAR Policy

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

Here the Labour member, Mr. Granville, interposed "No recrim- ination."

défend the anchorage of Suda Bay as an important naval baso, to develop the aerodrome nearby and provide the base and drome with the largest quantity of high and low coiling guns.which we thought it At to divert from other strate- gic points in the Mediterranean. Mr. Churchill continued: " Ex- "We provided, in fact, a deler-tremely vio.ent hostile speeches doing rent to enemy altack sufficiently have been spread about,

and about which I to require a major effort on his much harm.

have received information from part.

"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 SAFE EVERY- by.

THE WHERE IS TO MAKE SURE OF

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.

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

"It would be a mistake if the House got into the habit of call- ing for explanations of the vary- ing episodes of this dangerous and widespread struggle and asked for an account to be given when any action was lost or any part of the front was beaten in.

"In the first place. explanation could

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 fields and place them in the highest state of defence, and he reminded us how

efficiently very

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

the many calls made upon them.

would have

Spared

BEING STRONG NOWHERE.

"Therefore, if the House were able to go In detail into these matters, they might feel that a disposition reasonable and right

of our forces was made, but with-

out going into facts and figures, do, it is quite impossible for the

which nobody would wish me to

"The output of A.A. guns is at last rapidly expanding but the fact remains that our outfits are Incomparably inferior in num- bers to those possesɛed by the Germans, and every claim has to be weighed against every other claim.

may fairly be asked is why

"Another general question which we and House,

a much stronger ΟΣ even for the news- have not papers, to arrive at a justly pro- much larger Air Force in the Mid- portioned and level judgment on; dle East.

the this affair.

"I can only say that from "But a

man must be a per-moment the Battle of Britain was Sep- fect fool who thinks we have decided in our favour, in large quantities of A.A. guns tember and October last year, by and aircraft lying about unused, the victories of our "fighters, we at the present 'time.

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

Warning Four Years Ago

we

Nazi Advantages- "So far as A.A. guns are con- cerned, as large and expanding as "During the present year, as our is our present production, every strength in the air has grown, we single gun

is in action at some have not been hampered as 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 would for by the rival claimants, with theatre of war. "Everyone will admit it

a very often massive cases behind

"Anyone can see how great have been a mistake to make

are the German advantages and number of

in each one. great

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

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

to move their air force from one any aircraft guns. "Neither have heard

mobile A.A. guns, side of Europe to another. convincing statement by Mus low ceiling, and aircraft to defend already 1,500

for that would formed into batteries, in addition

"They can fly along a line of Wherever Bolini why the greater part of those air fields, his African Empire has been simply have facilitated the descent to the whole of their static artil-permanent air fields.

troops lery of A.A. defence.

they alight and refuel there are conquered and over 200,000 of of the enemy's air-borne

"Since then they have been permanent air fields in the high- his soldiers are prisoners In upon the island.

"To answer the question why there making them at a great rate and est state of efficiency, and as for our hands.

also conquered

all more services and personnel and were not enough guns provided for they have

than all they want from the many stores without which squadrons Complicated Campaign the two serviceable air fields

Crete, one would have to consid- countries they have overthrown, are quite useless, these can go by a need-er whether we could spare them so our position is very different the grand continental expresses

along the main European lines. for that. purpose. That leads us to indeed from them.

"To-day Mr. Hore-Belisha made cogent, moderate, well- "All this time the Battle of the a very Atlantic has been going on and informed and thoughtful contribu- gune tion to the debate but he used a number of a very great which might usefully have been very different mood and tone in a deployed in Crete have been and speech which he recently deliver- are being mounted in merchanted in the country. vessels to beat off the attacks of Fokker Wulff and Heinkel air craft whose depredations have been lessened thereby.

no full possibly be "I should feel under

given without revealing valu-less disadvantage if I were ob-

able information to the enemyliged in public debate to give an

the not only about

particular account of our operations irres- ended 15 operation which

but pective of whether the time was about the general position and suitable or not. also on the processes of thought "It would, for instance, have which are followed by our war been a nuisance if Parliament had direction and High Command. demanded a debate on the loss of "There is always i danger Hood before we had been in a that

Minister

in position to explain the measures may, seeking to vindicate the course we had taken to secure the des- we have pursued, inadvertently | truction of the Bismarck.

taken "I have always say something which may sup- ply the enemy with some essen- great pains to serve the House tial, perhaps seemingly innocent and always to associate the House looking, fact

the with events, and it would be bet-

13

which about

very

a wider sphere.

Great Risks

in

enemy is in doubt and thus enter if I were permitted, on behalf 'ther our air fields at home, our able the enemy to construct compressed and accurate picture of the way in which we are look- ing at things.

the to choose il of Government,

occasion for making a statement about the war, which I am most anxious to do. (Cheers).

"Another general reason why

de Hitler Did Not Explain I should have deprecated

bate on the fighting in Crete is dictator governments that it was only one part of a are not under any similar prea very important and complicated sure to explain or excuse any campaign which is being fought in ill succesS that may befall the Middle East and can only be

reviewed as one part.

"The

them.

and

"Unlike these pretentious formidable potentates, I am only a servant of the Crown, with considerable responsibility upon

Airfields In Crete

go

Assault On Britain

"One has only to compare this process with sending aircraft packed in crates. then not on shing and sent on the great ocean "THAT MAKES IT NECES- spaces until they reach the Cape Good Hope. then taken to SARY FOR ME TO SAY THAT of THE STATE IN WHICH OUR Egypt, set up again, tuned up and ARMY WAS LEFT WHEN MR. put in the air when they arrive. HORE-BELISHA HAD ENDED "Thus the Germans can do in

OF HIS TENURE

THE WAR days what is taken us weeks or OFFICE, DURING THE GREAT- ER PART OF WHICH HE WAS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR PRO- WAS DUCTION AND SUPPLY, LAMENTABLE.

Hore-Belisha Interrupts

even more.

"THIS REFLECTION HAS A BEARING UPON A POSSIBLE BACK GERMAN MOVEMENT FROM EAST TO WEST, WHICH COULD BE EXECUTED VERY SECRETLY IF THEY ARE RE- SOLVED UPON AN ASSAULT ON THIS COUNTRY.

"Again, we must consider whe-

air factories or ports and cities, which are under heavy and dan- gerous attacks, should have been further denuded or stinted of guns in the last six months for the sake of the war in the Middle East "We were short of every essen- beyond what we have done.

tial supply but most particularly

"We have done, are doing and "Further, everything we send of special classes of modern wea-will do our utmost to build up the to the Middle East is out 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 months as it has

round proved themselves a vital neces- aircraft but solely of transporta- the Cape."

sity of modern war and which, he

tlon not in the sense of ship- Mr. Churchill continued: "We is now prepared to suggest, we are ping tonnage but to the time it have run very great risks

and so purblind and out-dated as not takes to transfer under conditions faced very

serious maulings in to be able to comprehend." "TO SELECT ONE PARTICU-this island in order to sustain the (Here Mr. Hore-Belisha inter- of the present war.

und vened to point out that in Bel- re, and they would not wish LAR SECTOR OF OUR WIDELY war in the Mediterranean,

whom they any servant

FRONT have EXTENDED

FOR DE nobody can be judge whether we gium we lost the finest lot of duties entrusted with such

IS to BATE A PARTICULARLY should have run more risks or ex- equipment that had ever left Bri- to heavier pun- tish shores. He asked the Prime He at a disadvantage to our anta-LOPSIDED AND MISLEADING posed ourselves

to recall that up: till gonists.

METHOD OF EXAMINING THE ishment at home for the sake of Minister

fortifying, and multiplying the very recently before the I have not heard that Hitler CONDUCT OF THE WAR. Had to attend the Reichstag and

vast scene can only be Cretan air fields without having a Parliament, and the country, was tell them why he sent the Bis-surveyed as a whole and ought not full and intimate knowledge of opposed to the creation of a con-- marck on her disastrous cruise to be debated piecemeal, especial- all our resources and making a tinental army which, nevertheless, Co-ordination In Cairo "Co-ordination between the Ser- hen, by waiting a few weeks ly at a time when the operations, complete survey of the various he tried to create).

Mr. Churchilly proceeded: “I am vices is carried to a very high dnd choosing his 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.

equipment of the troops who went pitch. The Chief Air Officer lives were dispersed on convoy duty, "Into a general survey of the

to France, who naturally drained. in the same house in Cairo as

the Commander-in-Chief: ahe might have gone out accom-wor come all sorts of considera- Hanied by the Tirpitz. another tiens about the gain and loss of "We did, however, from the the rest of our resources, but the 45,000-ton ship, and offered us time and its effect upon the future, moment the Greek Government equipment of our army at that Battle.

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

"The

DANCE IN THE OPEN-

A Deterrent

TO FRED CARPIO'S POPULAR SWING ORCHESTRA

FINE LIQUORS

*NORTH POINT

The Ritz

GOOD FOOD

TEL 34196.

Hore-Belisha's Responsibility

war,

"As to the disposition of our Air Force in the Middle East, it is primarily a matter for the Com- manders-in-Chief in the Middle East, though Government share the full responsibility, for what- ever is done.

"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 branchés.' ¡¡

of The idea that any " one these problems would be studied.". "At the outbreak, of war this by. these two commanders with- Wage of raɛ most meagre and out the closest association with defiolent character and theos, the other two is quite lusty tr ́deficiencies... made themselves | (Hore a Member queried

most marked and still make has the final say?”). themselves-most-marked in: the →very-type: of weapons for which there-la the greatest possible demand.

"I am not throwing all the jiblame forthis... upon My Hare-

Bollsha butchè has

No. Disagreement

Mr. Churchill" dediui Isn't so much, aj final say./NOS 1/khawsketchin

(Contin