1941-08-07 — Page 19

THE CHINA MAIL AUGUST 7, 1941-

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. ATTLEE, REFERRED TO THE MAGNIFICENT FIGHT OF THE RUSSIAN ARMY AND PEOPLE WHEN HE OPENED THE DEBATE ON THE WAR SITUATION.

KRUPPS AT

ESSEN BOMBED TWENTY TIMES

Minister

The Air disclosed in a parlja- mentary answer yes terday that the Krupps armament works at Essen had been, attacked on 20 occasions. British Wireless.

The Real Facts

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.

There were, he said, satisfactory features in the present phase of the struggle which with those of other periods of the There made it difficult for even the most philoso- destroyed was

war, when the ratio of aircraft Q-boats and no auxiliary cruisers phical to prevent cheerfulness from breaking

in.

There was nothing wrong in being cheer- ful provided we did not allow ourselves to re- lax our efforts.

"In comparison of these figures

"What were

the real facts? were no destroyers, no

FLORAL TRIBUTE

A number of Britain's fighting aircraft have been immortalised in the naming of new varieties of flowers after famous types in service with the R.A.F.

A firm

of carnation growers known all over the world recently 14m uced severni new.....hypriás bearing names of fighters, bomb- ers and aero-engines forever link- ed with the great battles of the R.A.F. in the first year and a half of the war.

Among the fighters there is "Spitfire," described as harlequin colouring; "Hurricane" is a sal mon pink; "Whirlwind" is a fine mauve; and "Defiant," taking evasive action, gets the sub-title, The convoy, was protected by a lovely distinct fancy.. corvettes, which gave a very

Bombers are commemorated in good account of themselves, as "Blenheim," a luscious red-pos- the U-boats have reason to sibly in recognition of the colour know.

sean by its Nazi victims and

so much in our present. favour, it must be remembered

that the true standard is not with

September last, for then the Ger- mans were attacking this country

in force.

"It was the Germana who

wore sending their aircraft here in daylight, It is our turn to at tack over enemy territory by night and by day. "I think the result shows the continued superiority of our men and machines."

"I cannot give exact details of "Wellington," an apricot shade. the tonnage sunk. The enemy's The Coastal aircraft Sunderland" claims represent an exaggeration and "Hudson" have respectively of at least 350 per cent, and pro-inspired the naming of a massive bably 700 per cent. (Laughter white carnation and one of wine and cheers).

shade. "If there were really some

"Merlin," the magnificent Rolls- grounds for enemy satisfaction | Royce engine which powers many It would be unnecessary to of the RAF's swiftest 'planes, indulge in these flights of has as its namesake a bloom de-

scribed us a gorgeous fancy.

fancy.

"None with

Holding Our Own

any judgment would contend we have yet won the Battle of the Atlantic but we can say that in this vital part of the battlefield we are holding our

as

We should recognise that our from being open. while in the better situation was only com- Ukraine, Kiev, the capture of parative and that although 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.

Declaring that he could not be 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 to help Outstanding fact of the posi- that they have been disagreeably Russin, Mr. Attlee said the House

Rose, and other flowers are tion to-day as compared with surprised by

the determination, could rest assured that within the

likely also to be given names in a year ago was that Hitler was

courage and fighting quality of practical everything possible

the tradition of the R.A.F.→→names tv o now fighting on

fronts,

the Russian Army (Cheers). From would be done.

will which

live as long which Germa leaders had the tone of German statements, it

Essential feature of the aid that

"Dorothy Perkins" and "Mrs. always striven to avold.

would appear that they do hot Britain could give was not that it

Simpkins." Hitler had attacked Britain furi- !cursider such pertinacity to he would be spectacular but that it

One can visualise, in the days ously by air. He had waged quite playing the game (Laugh would be effective.

to come, some benign middle-aged gentleman shewing

visitor war unceasingly at sea but inva-ter). sion, which ot he time seemed "It may not be the Nazl game,

enemy has up

to now round his garden. "And that one imminent had been postponed. but it is a winning game. 11 is

failed to prevent the. orderly there is Spitfire flew one mv- But, said Mr. Altlec. nothing clear the Germans have sustained Referring to the Battle of the transport of food and ammuni- self in the Battle of Britain in could be more foolish than

very heavy losses in men and Atlantic, Mr. Attlee said that dur-lion across the seas to this coun- '40", imagine that postponement meant material. I am sure everybodying the past two months the Ger- try abandonment.

has been stirred by this splendid mans had continued the resistance to the invader (Loud to achieve success. Cheers)."

Constant Factor

The possibility of an

to

attempt

remain

British Aid

Battle Of Atlantic

efforts

With the coming of spring the Germans were able to put an in- creasing number of U-boats into remained and must

Mr. Attlee continued: "We are the water. 22

Britain had made constant factor in our considera- | doing our utmost to give all pos- early provision to meet this dun- sible assistance to our ally. Ager by providing more anti-sub- British military mission was at marine craft. work in Moscow six days after the German invasion and a Rus- sian mission has been at work in London for about the

tions.

Instructions had been given to all forces in th British Isles to

alghest stale bring to the

of readiness the preparations against

invasion.

The British Army at home time. was well equipped and ready and all strength was Immca- surably greater than 12 months] ago.

He was confident that

own.

"The

"IT IS WORTH, REMEMBER- ING THAT THE WAR AT "SEA" ITS ALSO HAS SIDE.

WAS MONTH.

In the course of the last few months, owing to the heavy scale of defence in home waters, the enemy had to tend to range Same

JULY

2

OFFENSIVE both on the Libyan border and in A GOOD Tobruk, where the vigour of the British fighting patrols had kept "On the

North Sea and the the enemy in such a state of con- Atlantic coast we

destroyed, tinued nervousness that he had to damaged or put out of action 60 illuminate the desert by night enemy ships totalling 291,000 with searchlights. tong.

This does not account for| Meanwhile, Mr. Attlee continu- hits made on small craft, barges, ed, "day by day and week by week, tanks, guns, planes and.

tuga and the like.

"In the Mediterranean the numn- supplies continue to arrive in further and further afield so bers were 23 ships totalling 168, the Middle East and reorganisa- that the sea battle was now be-000 tons, and another 30 ships tion and training for the Ing fought over an Immense were hit and considerably damag-, forward move go on,

arda extending far out toward ed.

on

the coasts of the United States "Attacks were also made and far south in the tropical more ships with satisfactory re-

sults. ceas of Africa.

Apart from attacks In this battle, said Mr. Attlee, smaller units and attacks on war-

'We are taking urgent steps to furnish Russia with

war materials and supplics for which she has asked. should "The activities of our Fleet at invasion Kirkenes and elsewhere in the they north show how close is our would be destroyed but nothing physical contact with the Russian "we have of course suffered ships, 459,000 tons were sunk, could be left to chance.

a German attempt at

by sea or air take

place

Gigantic Struggle

Mr. Attlee continued: "To-day our eyes are naturally turned to the gigantic struggle ranging from the White to the Black Sea. Throughout the whole of that 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,

forces.

"Above all, while the Russian armies had been stemming the attacks in the east, our bontbers are delivering Increasingly heavy attacks on western and central Germany.

severe losses.

on

damaged or put out of action in We ehali not be satiefied that month." (Cheers).

while these losscs continue but we can look back on the last two months with reasonable satisfaction.

Nazi Anxieties

Mr. Attlee continued: "Consid-

next

"Another fact which differ- entiates our situation from that of last year is the vastly. In- creased scope of the assistance we are receiving from the Unit- ed States. (Cheers),

"Not only does this stream of material exceed anything We received in the last war but it is sent to us under the extraor- dinarily generous terms of the Lease and Lend Act. (Cheers)."

BS-

"I cannot give detailed figures ering that targets offered by the

"The visit of Mr. Harry Hopkins without presenting the enemy enemy are much smaller than had for its main purpose the Heavy Bombings with information he would much ours, these results must cause him promotion of even greater

like to have but I can say that anxiety and may contribute to the sistance under this Act." "Whenever weather conditions supplies have been maintained at need for his putting out extrava- allow our attacks proceed without a satisfactory figure in spite of gant claims." cessation and with growing all the enemy's efforts. (Cheers). Mr. Attlee made a reference to weight while the depth to which

the successful convoying of stores. they penetrate increases while the nights lengthen.

Bait would be very foolish for any one to attempt to forecast] the outcome of that struggle, but I think it is abundantly plain the plane of the German High Command for a rapid vic. tory: 5-hava --not succeeded. (Cheers).

European Unrest. There was clear evidence, he Convoys Get Through throughranean and paid, amidst continued, of the rising, tide... of resistance to Hitler's rule in all "During the month of July

"Our convoys of vital supplies cheers, a high tribute to the skill the invaded countries. From the 70 attacks were made on towns continue to arrive. From July 11 and courage of the protecting start there had been sullen resent. in Germany "and" 75" on towns to July 28 the enemy were un-naval and air forces, t ment: and growing, opposition, in German-occupied territory.able to broadcast a single claim

Referring to the Middle East, and this increased month by A heavy weight of bombs, was of a successful attack by a U-

Mry Attlee sald the presence of month. delivered with great effect. boat.

British forces on the Tucso Syrian border would confirm and fortify Efftain's friendship.

and and alliance with the onable Britain to aff protection to the Inhabitants of Cyprus.

In the south-east only a sma]] {

The "V" Campaign was no stunt" but the apo pression of the des of civilised hümäh longed for deliverar barbarian rulo,

Mr. Attlee concluded:

* pocket of Italians, was hold up in nations in Europe Juok to us,

"THESE KEEN BLOWS WILL "HOWEVER, IN THE LAST As long ago as July 13, the BE CONTINUED AND INTENSI-FEW DAYS OF THE MONTH, Germans claimed that Smolensk FIED. (CHEERS).

U-BOATS DID MEET WITH "In addition to night bombing ONE OF THE SOUTHBOUND had fallen and that the roads to Leningrad, Moscow and Kiev there have been numerous inten-ATLANTIC CONVOYSA This claim has cer- sive sweeps by fighter aircraft and LARGE, FORCE WAS DEPLOY- were open............. tainly not been substantiated. daylight bombing raids with and ED AND A GREAT EFFORT

"In the far North, Murmansk without fighter aircraft WAS MADE remains in Russian hands. Rus- "I do, not think there can be "A still greater effort was Gondor. Elsewhere in Abyssinia only to destroy Hitlerism 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 practice as well the enemy has a considerable way attacks on German morale and claim to have sunk 116,000 tons Cabinet of Ministers, had begun, by precept a true alternative to to go before the railway line from German communications and Ger-in addition to a corvette and a the reconstruction of his country: Hitler's new order? Leningrad to Muŕmatisk jy relich-man industry!!

destroyer.

Loud cheers) and time of the circumstances They gave a vivid descrip- At the Emperor's request, ad-We cannot foresee whither tion of a destroyer squadron visors had been placed at his dis our victory; we cannot tell sailing around the convoy posel by the British Government trials and uffflebitles that zigzagging while an auxillary and financial assistance was being have yet to endute, but we knekk cruiser directed the movements | bfforded.

ed.

"In the Middle East during July our air force delivered: 126:attacks on various targets, including Bei- rut Benghazi and Tripo, A RET

1100

Comparison Of Losses

Smolensk Battle. "On the south shore of the Bal- tic, the thrust towards Leningrad has made no rení progress' recent← ly Tremendous fighting is now "We have lost 205 aircraft while taking place in the Smolensk area, we have destroyed for certnin':410 but the way to Moscow is still for units of the enemy air fleet."w

of the convoy and the pro- teating chips, "which" "Included Q-boats.

Libyan Campaign

we

that when victory comes, as come it will, we shall have fo tako", a leading part in helping: establish a world of peace, free-

Next day they raised the total On the left flank, in Libya, there dom and social justice,” (Loud tonnage sunk to 140,000 tons, was a constant offensive patrol cheers)-Reuter.ANT.