1950-11-01 — Page 7

SECOND

IMPORTANT,

THE / CHINA MAIL, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1950,

EXCLUSIVE

FEATURE

"THE HINGE

HINGE OF FATE"

T

Being the Fourth Volume of the

SECOND WORLD WAR MEMOIRS

of

WINSTON S. CHURCHILL

the Germans."

HIS new year of the IN the third volume of his war memoirs, of the great shortage of anti- our tanks Whe aggravated Second World War.

Britain's wartime Prime Minister took tank weapons, compared with 1942, opened upon us in an entirely different redders up to that fateful 'December All these statements require ahupe for Britain. We were of 1941, when Japan struck against no longer alone. At our alde

the United States and Britain simul- stood two mighty Allies. Rússla and the United taneously.

States were, though for dif- ferent reasons, irrevocably - engaged to fight to the death 'in the closest concert with the British Empire. This combination made. final victory certain unless

careful

1st

The scrutiny. Armoured Division was one of

the finest we had. It consisted Iargely of men who had more than two years' training and represented as high a standard

on- emelency as any to be found

and

THIS new volume leads off with the

Slaught of Japan in early 1942, covers the history of the war until middle of the next year when the Allies redeemed Africă.

the

it broke in, pleces under the THE book describes the turning point of the

strain, or unless some en- tirely new instrument of War appeared in German

Hinds. There was indeed a

Second World War. The first chapter begins today, and will be followed by daily instalments.

They had landed in Egypt in Novem-

in our Regular forces.

ber. Before they left England accordance with all the latest every effort had been made, in

area

Reflections

THE AUTHOR: WINSTON SPENCER CHURCHILL

Information and experience, to make their vehicles desert- worthy. After the usual over- this division moved across the haul in the Cairo workshops reached on January 6. desert to Antelat, which

In order to preserve the tracks, its new. Instrument of war for

were carried on special tra which

porters across the both

whole, de sides were of Rommel and an advance into ordered yet, Non-lighting per- sert, and arrived

at Antelat nd in good avidly groping. As it turned Tripoli on the long road to Tunla sonnel in the circumstances are unworn and

order. out it was into our already might encourage one or both to being moved eastwards as far as Yet, without having been deep-

the Lako

he arrived plunge. "Super possible

On January 23 stronger hands that the

by night. *** Should ly committed into action this hopes soon to be swept away. Gymnast" was the far larger Benghazi be evacuated "evacua- fine division lost over a hun- The British people can face home from Russia. He was at secret of the Atomic bomb scheme of British and Americas Bon of Derna will follow.

tired of its tanks. The very peril or misfortune with forti- this time an important politi- was destined to fall.

Furth A intervention, in French

petro!

adri from but they cal considerable

Agure

the supplies lude and buoyancy, fearful and bloody struggle Africa, to which I had already in force at Msus, and bee which had been brought

Rommel, having established

for- bitterly resent being deceived Labour party, by whom he had

been respon-

for Ward were abandoned lay before us and we could found the President most re-

extremisin expeiled in its or finding that those sponsive, and, which I had set option of striking north-west to precipitate retreat, and

come sible for their affairs are them-

years earlier. not foresee its course,

mony but

forth in my paper of December Benghazi or north-east towards of its tanks were left behind selves dwelling in a fool's It seemed to me thut his ap- the end was sure.

15 as the main Anglo-American Mech. He did both. His in- Fecause they ran out of fuel. paradise.

pointment to the Ministry of The Grand Alliance had now amphibious operation in the West fention was to capture Benghazi,

In spite of the shocks and Supply would be in best ap- to face the onslaught of Japan, for the campaign of 1942. The but he also sent a force north-

olresses which cach day cord with the public interest, This had been long prepared enemy's Arm stand at Agedabia cast as a feint against our com-

brought, Id, not grudge the and might form a part of the to and fell upon the British, and and his orderly withdrawal munications. The feint was

the twelve or fourteen hours of major design for creating American fronts If such they Aghella was therefore

highly successful. Our. pro- cost, time, and Jabour the concentrated thought which Ministry of Production. could be called with cruel greater significance to me and Jected counter-attack, southwards 'creation of an entity like an 10,000 words of original com- Stafford and Lady Cripps came soverity. At no moment could is all my thought than the mere by a part of the 4th

Indian

Chequers on armoured, division, with all its position on a vast, many-sided to luncheon at It be conceived that Japan would arrest of our westward move. Division from

Benghazi, the experts and trained men, in- subject demanded, and while January 25, and he and 1 had in overcome the United States, but ment in the desert. In fact, it Armoured Division

Editora volves, the effort required to the flames of adverse war in a long and agreeable talk

made the afternoon. When I heavy forfeits had to be paid by was an adverse point in my Role: The In Armoured Division

Cape, the Desort licked my feet, I the port it round the Philippines and whole theme of discussion with which had healed the Guards bring it into battle, It is indeed statement and appreciation of explained the position them, in the

many made succorded In

and preparing my him a definite proposal

which other islands, and by the British the President.

inid. Jandar Charruba

the office was grievous to Brigade from hurriedly cancelled, Benghazi squandered through such mis-

would in question have in the general sphere of cast, Adla and the Pacific Ocean.

was evacuated, and the whole management. Still more

he Russia, in mortal grip with the

war production

said be The news soon arrived of the

would reflect upon it and~ let main German Army, suffered surrender of Bardia, Sollam, and XIIth Corps fell back to the there reflections painful when

cur. fallure is contrasted with At this time theru WAS: $

me know. only from the Japanese assault Halfaya to our XXX Corps. Hne Gazala-Bir Hakeim, by the version of Anglo- Eleven hundred of our own men

what the Germans accomplish- widdly expressed wish for the American energies. and supplies were also Uberater at this time. Desert Tactics

ed, although over four hundred setting up of a Ministry of niles from their base at Tel- Production, with its chief in which would have alded her. Nothing more of importance Britain and the United States reached me before I flew back

poli. Nor should the British the War Cabinet. In July Rommel had gain proved ation, in probing these mat- had a long period of torturing from Bermuda, and I certainly hinwelf

starting 1941, before marter af destat ters, be misled Into 2

thinking voyage to m-ef defeats before them, which could parted from the President, with tactics,

Frealde and, cul-witting not affect the final issue but

our that the technical inferiority of Roosevelt, I had brevedat the feeling, which afterwards commanders, regained were hard for their peoples to proved fully justified, that our greater part of Cyrenaica. This fer this considerable and for whs not at that tiranec H

our lanks was the only reason length in the House, that this endure, Britain, was naked be- thought about a large North retreat of nearly three hundred reaching reverse, cause our strength, was absorbed African venture

sary. was moving miles ruined our hopes and lost

of. for

and the fibpless Dutch in South- Full-dress Debate

When we remember

see the

result our case.

of

New Ministry

But

ed,

but

of

'ond

In The House

од

came

Sir

On January 27 laid our caso before the House. I could see ses were in a quarutouts tem- recalise when I had tak

bs soon as I got home that forthcoming... statement the current of Hight be electrically recorded elsewhere, and the Americans forward on the same lines. The us Benghazi ahu dil the stuges Two Facts

Agwed, and was

so that it could be used...for chly not

by Dad schreely begun to gather news still continued good after Gen. Auchinlock hd been I was expected to make

Uroadcasting to the Empire by the positions of their almost limitless resources. I had reached London, though gathering for his hoped-for offen- full statement to Parliament All centred on

the and offices imrdived. tid the United States-ableg-- To us in the British

tion was taken Isles it there Would evidently, he a sive in the middle on about my mission to Washing- Brook, who exerted

Lord February.

various Beaver- seemed that everything was longer pause than we had hoped

bave

Ithmense grounds which had no relation growing, worse, although on re- before the new battle.

By the overwhelming ton and all that had happen- thaience Upon the highest

to the

needs of the hour. I

Withdrew therefore flection we knew that the war

ty request, amid a surge of business, I was columna with which healed in the five weeks I had American circles.cdnčenie...

Immediately on any arrival, attecess of the thrya

srpall

have although it would not was won.

facts stood been away. Two

"Bite He had left the Main been denied in any other Par- and be supported gut in my mini. The first was try of Aircraft Production for liament in the world. It was Enemy Withdraw forced to prepare myself for a the attack,

full-dreas Parliamentary stubate. them with whatever troops be bound to win the war, in the much friction, dofle, offt 1h rose to speak.

that the Grand Alliance was

of Supply there ha

had been

in such an atmosphere that I The third volume has described The Immense world events could muster,, Gen Ritchie Gen. Auchinleck's long-prepared which had happened since I last reassembled the crippled Xch long run. The accond was that evitable, on the frontiers Victory in the Western Desert addressed the House of Com- Corps and other

vost, measureless array forces which

account two departments,

I gave them some and the relief of Tobruk. I had mons at length had now to be had been sent forward in the onslaught of Japan, disasters approached

of the Desert battle. us in the hoped not only to restore har

Everyone moty but

I my visit to presented to the nation. From neighbourhood

to the of Gathls and could see with felt able, during

Improve rest

presently restits by Washington, to speak with con- what I could see of the news Tobruk.. Here punters and that our life as a nation

intense reller

Joining

larger issue of our nakedness these >Two great and

in the Lranches of our nimament "pro-

East Far Adence about his future. opera- tiona, Rommel however contrived at the reading of which pursued gasped and glared at Empire was no longer at stake.

under a Minister of fat diet on the House

had to I gave at Ioast an hour a day,

the fact

Iwo Cabinet

They of War to withdraw his forces in good, there was a rising swell of diy ch other until the end of My On the other hand,

when Rommel was able to strike that the sense of order

took what they got without en- to a position

which he already held. running content and apprehension about again.

ger was largely removed set while all this was still re-

thusiasm. But I had the im- south from Gazala. Here he our evident unreadiness to meet

reversal every critic, friendly or male- velving in my mind

pression that they were not un- WAS attacked by the XIXth the Japanese ontall in the East This extraordinary

free to volent,

point out the Corps under

convinced, by the argument. In Gen. Godwin, and For East. To the public the of fortune and the

view of what I saw coming to Austen, and December 16, Desert battle seemed to be going military disaster arose from many errors which had been gure appeared upon the scene.

wards 'us I thought it well to their duty

to improve Forcat. Our mobile forces tried facts before Parliament. I asked find gained virtually free pas-

worst, and making no promises sage across the Mediterranean methods of conducting the war

Sir Stafford Cripps had long while not excluding hope. kis and thus shorten the to reinforce kind rioarish

and bad brought tale. I was myself profoundly wished to conclude his mission mour,

Porce disturbed by the defeats which in Russia. The post of Am- part of his Air

of Tenssla But the had already fallen

•Haizendor 10,;. buck, from Unfortunately, Gen. Auchin tactical events inck, had underestimated his have never been expinuary 25, ginnings of the deluge,

und the Soviel has and no one knew better than teen found extrem amort- the spot

The debate then ran on for The 1 that these were but the be- live by all

three days. But the tone was to fall, and the enemy columns, chemy'e power of, recuperation, decisive day was

cans who have

called boer

la me unexpectedly friendly. though hard presseif,

bou during Our recent mlafortunes at sea when the

the

broko, through

: upon to all it. "Benghazi, purétied by the. 4th

had

und after the war. During the There was no doubt what the House Would do. My col- *British-Inding Division The

Hitler's attack plan,

period before changes of

in the War Cabinet, Jenemy's arthoué withdrew by time it could not Intervene fall

Was On the other hand, I failure to wrest the initiative

ranged Russia with us our en-

by Mr. Attlee, sustain- the desert route through Mechil effectively on the sea routes from Rommel.

The

Guards well aware of the strength of voy had been almost entirely

ed the Government case.

with fallowed by the 7th Armoured Tripoŝi and mupplies

had. vigour... were

Brigade could not understand my position. I could count on ignored in Moscow. He

and

I eyen fierceness. to access DiVision, reinforced later by the

reaching Rommel treely. On why they were not allowed to the goodwill of the people for hardly ever

to wind up on the 29th * At In 1940. 1 did

Bevere

new

I

after a three-day action, forced is well, and I was glad to lay the the basic facts that the enemy mode. Moreover, many felt it. Stafford Crib end by putting things at their

40 give

Misfortune

moving round the Desert my colleagues Flank to block his withdrawal reasonable alme. along the coast roads leading to Benghazi. Bad weather, rough going, and above all maintenance dificulties caused this attempt

Guteds Brigade

On

2

cur

fearful

upon

us,

weakened Adml to Misus. Thereafter there were Wide Goodwill

EO Cunningham's dest that for a confusion,

but.

Dot

and

the

had

The Debate

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THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB

NOTICE TO MEMBERS. ·

·TENTH RACE MEETING Saturday, 4th November, 1950.

There are eight races, the First, Belk will be rung at 1.30 p. and the First Race will be run at 2.00 pm

Through Tickets (8 Races $10) may be obtained if the Compradore, Ollop of the Treasurers, 1st Floor, Telephone House, also. Hickets for the. Cash 'Sweep on the last; rüice", "Cunha to

To avoid congestion at the Club's Offices at Telephone House, non-members are requested to purchase their sweep tickets at the Club's Brizích Offices at:-

-

5, D'Agullar Street, Hong Kong

O

383, Nathan Föna, Kowloon," 'MEMBERS' BADGES AND ENCLOSURE Members and guests are ! ·reminded that they and their ladies MUST wear their badges prominently displayed throughout the Meeting- gedank v Bolando de la pazinG VAL.

NO ONE WITHOUT A BADGE WILL BE ADMITTED TO THE MEMBERS' ENCLOSURE SEND akan

Badges admitting ladies dot in possession of Brooches cr Season, tickets and gentiomon, i non-members of the Chih- wi’the

It was hoped to repeat the January 21 be launched a recons, make a store orders the shore, I had had in their Stalin, and Molotov held him t this time I feared that thero Meitzberg EstoldFUIS, "NHA, CLlub Rooms "af, #10--including tax for. naissance in force, consisting df to retreat were rellërated and survival, the broad, deep tide all other Allied Ambassa-wind be tio división. I tried.[hídics and gentlenen nro shtälnable through the Secretary of the Bucetas achieved a year before, three columns each of about, a imperative, The 4thBritish-godity that bore The shift of the Soviet diplo 25 taunts to urge our critics | written or personal, introduction of a member, supta member to be.

whch the Italitin retreat south thousand motorised infantry Indian Division, was given no Whrd trởm Benghazi had plen

tanks These, useful part to play. supported by cut off by a swift advance today. Zound, thelliğe Karbugh. Antolat, and a great haul of the gaps between our widely ex- *prikaatrs taken, It was found argi trenaba de CPAset troops, with

the enemy were fully aware of

Little ti-strook Kenough force, do them. Gen

Qipoliton

Мо

Eers

ata, frigid arm's length.

Into the Lobby

against us responsible for all visitors introduced by him, and fum payment forward... The War Cabinet matic capital from Moscow to wit and Chiefs of Staff showed me Kuibyshev in the crisis of De-Without at the same time of all Chile ste

Effending the now thoroughly the highest loyalty. I was sure cember had only

topfembers Enclosure will NOT be do reproduced Re myself. I made it a

unfruitfal T It clear as the unpleasant; göd, unt

Buy 2

£ occasion required,

Moscow in those conditions of

The Branch Offices, and the Treasurers' Compradore Office Svinyangas at1100 101,And the 'Becratury's Office: st:11,45 xix. the lightest,

Tank Strengths

Only recently has it come to about

that. I dared en tot noth÷ kaht the PACE, COURSE RE any of the disanceira #pur

Igurea

Imposilulo however 'to supply, in win and no tanks Hight

from enemy records that the that 1 would not aggravated form. When the Conservative,s+ Libert, APARENCY • VOISIN DITZ, ONE Off keef CAS Pu their danger of being caught a arst to Agedabia and therentier the enemy tank-strength was „ment total 7/24-, much' was being done by direct and Liberal parties info voting, atlikifod 'at Ist Tioor, Telephone Houabell

to Maus.

communication

of my pre The Proks

between the Luckily, when the division was and Stalin, and now between called the Vote of Confidence woops, rouched "Antolat And

Corps had 120 tanks in Rotion found kit firmly hold and over took offsphated to me

and Adobeh point bb room The 30 tanks at sere

gestuelle and the Italiana 80 pr. more. should remain

Minister functions of an Ambassador: pendent Labour party, whe 'hund" The shield tommel withdrew all to expert almormor On to ported in their initial attacks cede the actual control, of the from the scene kan g

had been told or were double supported war become alve Tare-business. Sir Stafford dabu, which padiget ours, stacks an impending Berita pansiyo, the remainder and the total mived to, laid nahing to a ready, when at home

quarters to take iba prime, and was more than be

woound: tipe. When therefore our ta, block, the chemy's way from superior to ours, The Afrika and Cold Printen that the President and Stalin, was challenged by the Indo- loliko Vrbeidda they tre ordered 123vidão:From the No. 1, 19307/

who string or turn of the corner

to which Tripolifanik rileht Have been the lase unmolested da 'del yet, but! Auch I

Gymnast

rand make the

Note:

were

speeches but became increasingly Yamam46s-to-1 Buch-a: Tuss

sumbered three Two "required" ás, tollare, and the

re

had been made by the Free German invasion, that telegrams of relief and *kut pachecenten Lane

the

TRIPAUSIHULIG PAIN, Sören hin wish to be evtlgratumuon flowed in from -

Mit der tie, Alllad world

andlid hot Páko bisco a thog tusarmest some trom my Ameri

shock of Russia Konst T

eight months, had pass onato:

President

; A. Umited number of unds will be obtainable at the Club

NO. CHILDREN WILL EL AI TED TO THE CLUBIS FREMISES, DURING THE. MENŢINER