1941-06-11 — Page 5

Wednesday.

HONGKONG TELEGRAPH

June 11, 1941.

MR. CHURCHILL EXPLAINS CRETE WITHDRAWAL

BRITAIN BUILDING HUGE AIR FORCE

IN RESOLVE TO HOLD MIDDLE EAST SUMMER

*

LONDON, June 10 (Reuter).-Mr-Winston Churchill began his reply to the Influence of Weather debate in the House of Commons in an easy confident tone. The Prime Minister declared that nobody could possibly complain of the tone, temper and matter of the debate.

have been further

denuded

Bix

Jn.

came

that:

there was gravo uneasiness and months for the saka of the war may fairly be asked is much larger the island. It was not a fact that been ascribed to a spokesmen of the

the

that. In spite of lack of air support, vancing, many more airfields became the battle.

"Moreover as the season was nu-we had a good chance of winning available to him as the weather im- Nobody had any Illusions about proved and dried there up. It was the scale of the enemy air-borne evident, therefore, that an attack on attack. We knew that it would be Crete, it it were made, would be gigantic and intense. Reconnaissance The kind of crillcism we had to-day-some was very searching-was the kind that the

over Greek nerodromes showed the primarily an air-borne attack for over which Government not only accepted but welcomed. However, the way in which the debate

Vastly

aircraft superior

which Walch again

hosille Chormous mass of air force would be available.

were gathering there many about was calculated to give a feeling of challenge to the security of the administration.

"The question arose whether we

drels and it

it turned out that the From the viewpoint of advan- "Again we must consider whether comparably Inferior in numbers to thould try to defend Crete or yield er imited price to pay at al-

enemy was prepared an air those possessed by the Germans, and

It without a light. Nobody who | mo tage to the country, that raised our airfields at home and our

quest and his resources, which con- responsiblilty for the decision beara serious considerations.

factories or parts and cities which a very Recat claim has to be weighed to defend Crete was ignorant of the crated upon any particular post Thero were all kinds of paragraphs and shoulder heavy, dangerous attacks against every other claint

overwhelming Air Strength

fnet that conditions permitted only point.". reports in the newspapers that or stinted of guns in the last

"Another general question which to be provided for our troops in the the most meagre British air support

Unofficial Broadcasts the Middle East beyond what we not much stronger and

why have we

island or the Fleet operating round Referring to statements which had demanding a "full accounting."

have done.

air forces in the Middle East. I can downed upon the military and other War Office and Air Ministry. Further, everything we send to be only say that from the moment the authorities after the Therefore, one was bound to tako a serious-view because of the Inter- Middle East is out of action the best Battle of Britain was decided in our been taken. It was the foundation officers who give these broadcasts decision had Prime Minister declared that the ests confided to our care, It would part of three months on it has to favour in September and October of n dimeult and harsh cholec whe-are not acquainted with the control be a mistake if the House got into go round the Cape."

last year by the

victories of our ther. Crete should be defended with of thought or felt in the Chiefs of the habit of calling for explanations

Great Risks Run

affairs and with what is decided Aghters, we have been, ceaselessly out effective air support or whether or or varying episodes in this dangerous

Mir Churchill continued: "We acuding uircraft as fast as possible to the Germans should be permitted to

Staff Committee or the and widespread struggle and asked

Defence for an account to be given when anvi have run very great risks and have the Middle East by every route and

it without opposition. оссиру

Commllice. "I would very much faced very serious maulings in this every method. action was lost or any part of the island in order to sustain the war,

Terrible Alternatives

have liked to stop them and in some During the present year, as our front was beaten in.

In the Mediterranean, and nobody strength in the air has grown, we

"Some say that we should never cases I have reduced them in num-

ber." In the first place, no full explana can be judge of whether we should have not been hampered as we were fight without superior or at least tion could possibly be given without

have run more risks or exposed our In the case of the anti-aircraft guns ample air support and usit when this revealing valuat

valuable information to

selves to heavier punishment at home by the lack of aircraft. The problem lesson will be learned. the enemy, not only about a particu- for the sake of fortifying and multi- has been to send them to the eastern But suppose you cannot have it? for operation which was ended but

questions to be settled are not about the general position and also plying the Cretan airfields without thentre of war.

Enemy Advantage always between what is good and of thought which having a full and intimate know-

bad. Very often, it is a choice be- were followed by our war direction ing a complete furvey of the various German advantages and how easy it If you cannot have this essential and

"Anyone can see how great our resources and mak

tween

two very terrible alternatives, and High Command.

claims upon them.

1 for the Germans to move their air There was always a danger that awe did, however, from the mo- force from one side of Europe to desirable air support, must you yield Minister might, in seeking to vin- dicate the course we had pursued, ment the Greek Government invited another. They can fly along a line important key points, one after an-

Wherever other? us into Crete, take steps to defend of permanent airfields. inadvertently Bay something which

"Others have told me: "You should. might supply the enemy with some

the anchorage of Suda Bay as an they alight and refuel, there are per- essential and pertinps seemingly in-important.naval bace, to develop the manent airfelds in the highest atate, defend no place that you cannot be aerodrome nearby and provide of efficiency and as for services and sure that you can hold. Then one nocent-looking fact about which the

the Jargest personnel and all stores, without must ask: 'Can one ever be sure how enemy was in doubt and thus enable base and drome with

will develop before It is even the enemy to construct a comprehen- quantity of high and low ceiling guns which squadrons are quite useless, a sive and accurate pleture of the way which we thought it ft to divert from these can go by the Grand Con. Dhe principle of not defending parade for duty in connection with the

main In which we were looking at things. other strategic points in the Mediter-tinental expresses along the

European lines.

any place you cannot be sure of ranean. Dictators Advantage

Too Many Near Bases "One has only to compare this holding were adopted, would not the

"able to make with sending aircraft, packed' enemy be process "We provided, in fact, a deterrent in crates, then put on ships and sent limited number of valuable quire a major effort on his part. But the Cape of Good Hope, then taken Where would you make a stand to enemy attack sumelently to re on great ocean spaces until they reach quests without any fighting at all? there are many Islands and strategic to Egypt to be set up again, turned engage them with resolution? points in the sens, and to attempt to up and put in the air when koy

ake sure arrive. to make safe everywhere la |be

of being strong nowhere, Therefore,

"The further question arises: serve to parade at No. 2 Police Station at If the

Thus the Germans can do in days' What would happen if you allowed 08.30 hours and draw revolvers. Dress ouse were able to go in de what it take us weeks or even more the enemy to advance and over-run, Khaki Uniform. House tall into these matters, they might to do. This reflection has no bear precious

0 members of the Fiying Squad will feel

that

valuable strategic roport with their machines to Tranic a reasonable and right die ing upon possible German movements points?' Suppose we had never gone inspector. Central Police Station at 07.00 position of our forces was made, but back from cast to west which could to Greece or attempted to defend hours. Dress Khaki Uniform. without going into facts and figures, ho executed very secretly if they Crete. Where would the Germans which nobody would wish me to use resolve upon assault on this country. be now? it is quite impossible for the House

Transfer Difficulties or even for the newspapers to arrive

1 on the processen

not

ex-

Dictator Governments were under any similar pressure to plain or excuse any ill success that might befall them,

It

of all

at a justly-proportioned and level judgment on this affair.

A.A. Guns

the

The

SH

Making Nazis Pay

and

POLICE RESERVE

Orders Issued For Current Week

Police Neserve orders by Me 0. Eager, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Reserve) :- King's Birthday Parade. The following Police Reservists will King's Birthday Parade on Thursday, June

1 members of the Chinese Company to parade at No. Police Station at 00.30 con- hours and draw revolvers. Press-Khaki

an un-

and

13

parade at No. 4 Police Station at 06,30 Uniform.

9 members of the Indian Company to

hours and draw revolvers, Dress-Khaki Unitorin

9 members of the Emergency Unit Re-

Chinese Company Strength-Constable Ritz Chol Chlew seng has been permitted to resign from "Suppose we simply resign terri- Chinese Company, as from June 4.

1041. night. Might they not at this carly struck off the strength of the Chinese tory and strategic islands without a Constable R1372 Lau Joke-nin has been stage of the campaign in 1941 already Company, as from June 3, 1941.

Leave-Sub Inspector (R) Two Huk

enemy.

date.

be

"Unlike these pretentious, formid- able potentater, I am only a servant of the Crown with considerable res- ponsibility upon me," continued Mr. Churchill. The House would Not wish any cervant whom they have entrusted with such duties to be at a disadvantage to our antagonists.

"I have not heard that Hitler had hat tell them to attend the Reichstag why he se

He sent the Bismarck on her disastrous cruise when, by waiting

do our utmost to build up the largest "We have done, are doing and will fow weeks and choosing his oppor tunity when perhaps

our capital

possible air force in the Middle East. ships were dispersed on convoy duty,

It is not a matter of aircraft, but be masters of Syria and Iraq and pre-en has returned from leave, and resumes she might have gone out, accompani "But a man must be a perfect fool solely transportation-not in the paring themselves for an advance duty as O. E C. "" Company as from ed by the Tirpitz, another 45,000-ton who thinks that we have large quan- sense of shipping tonnage but as to into Persia? silp, and offered us battle.

The Germans in this war

Inspection Parade-All ranks of "A" tities of A.A. guns and aircraft lying the time it takes to transfer under

have Company will parade at Murray Parade "Neither have I heard any con- about unused at the present time, the conditions of the present war.

gained many

many victories. They have Ground for a general inspection of equip vincing statement by Mussolini why As far as A.A. guns are concerned,

"As to the disposition of our alr

on Wednesday, June 11, at 17.15 hours a greater part of his African Empire large and expanding as is our pre-force in the Middle East, it is per easily over-run great countries and ment etc, by the Company, Commander

beaten down strong Powers with has been conquered and over 200,000 sent production, every single gun is marily a matter for the Commanders-

With sharp. Dress "Khaki Uniform. Hitle resistance. It is not only The Equipment Officer will make it a of his soldiers are prisoners in our in action at some necessary point or in-Chief in the Middle East, though question of time gained by fighting point of being present. hands.

other, and all future production for the Government share full respon- strongly, even at a disadvantage, for ed will attend Murray Parade Ground for Training Course-Part Those detall- "I should feel under a needless many months ahend is eagerly com- siblilty for whatever is done, Important points, but there is also the instruction In Port of Training Course disadvantage If I were obliged in a peted for by rival claimants with "Co-ordination between the ser vitally important principle of stub- on Wednesday June 11, at 17.19 hours public debate to give an account of very often massive

behind vices is carried to a very high pitdi. born resistance to the will of the cases

sharp. Dress-Khaki Uniform.

Patrol Duty-Patrol duties w The Chief Air Omeer lives in our operations irrespective of whe-ench one.

the

carried out as ordered, ther the time was suitable or not. "In March, 1937, I mentioned to same house in Cairo as the Com-

Fatal Doctrinė

Indian Company would,

for instance, have been the House that the Germans had al-mander-in-Chief. The Naval Com-

"These are some arguments that ed will attend Murray Parade Ground for

• Training Course-Part I.-Those detall- nuisance if Parliament had demanded ready 1,500 mobile A.A, guns which

He has to be at Alexandria, before we had been in a position to addition to the whole of their statle but the very closest association exista can adopt the rule that you have on Wednesday, June 11, at 17.15 hours explain the mensures we had taken artillery of anti-aircraft defence. between these two branches,

a certainty of winning at any point ar Dress-Khaki Uniform

Patrol Duty-Patrol duties Full Co-Ordination

and that if you have not got it before={ carried out as ordered, to secure the destruction of the Bis- Since then, they have been making

hand, must clear out. The whole marck.

them at a great rate and they have

Flying__Squad you "The idea that any one of these history of war shows that fatal ab-ed will attend Murray Parade Grounduse Training Course-Part 1.Those detail- also conquered more than all they problems would be studied by any surdity of such a want from the many countries they one of these Command rs without

doctrine.

instruction in Part 1 of Training Course have overthrown. So our position is the closest association with the other that flerce and stubborn resistance

"It has been repeatedly proved on Wednesday, June 11, 17.15 hours sharp.

Dress-Khaki very different indeed from theirs." two is quite illusory.

Hore-Belisha's Remarka Here someone queried "Who has even against heavy odds and under carried out as ordered.

Emergency Unit Reservo- the final "To-day, Mr Hore-Belishia made aj

exceptional conditions of local dis- Заучк

Strength. - Constable 1408 FA Mr Churchill declared "It isn't so advantage is an essential element in very cogent, moderate, well-informed

Police Reserve as from June 4, 1041," statement about the war, which 1.am/and thoughtful contribution to the mucha anat say. No disagreementhe decision to fight for Crete | Constable D530 R. Philips is dianiased from the Hongkong Police Reserve, as debate, but he used a very different that I know has arisen, most anxious to do (Cheers).

mood and tone in the speech which "Obviously the Army is the main was taken with the full knowledge from May 14, an "Another general reason why I

ԵՐ factor in the business, and the Fleet that air support would at o Commendation.Acting Inspector (1) should have deprecated a debate on That makes it necessary for me to recently delivered in the country.

is preserving the security

minimum as anyone can sce-apart M. A. de Sousa is commended by the of the from the question whether you have alertness in handling the case of Ex. Con- Commissioner of Police for zeal and the fighting in only one part of a very important, was left when Mr Hore-Bellsha had command of the seas, and the Air sures the distance from our airfields by the First Magistrate for obtaining Crete is that it is say that the state in which our army Army on the seas, and preserving adequate supplies or not-who mea-stable R50 R. Philips who was convicted complicated campaign which is being ended his tenure of the War Office Force is assisting the Army And fought in the Middle East and can during the greater part of which he

Fleet in all their functions.

In Egypt and compares them with money by falso prolences.

Riot Drill Those detailed wit attend only be reviewed an

distances "But in

the na one part.

from enemy airfields in Kennedy Road on Friday, June 13, for Riot To select one particular sector of and supply, was lamentable,

was also responsible for production

event of any differ Greece, and who acquaints himself Drill under Acting Inspector (R) M. A. de ences, they can be settled in a few with the radius of dive-bombers and quarters at 17.09 hours sharp on that date. Souto, Van will leave, Reserve Head- widely extended front for de- weer

by reference here. These aircraft, were short of every essential supply, hours by bate is a particularly lop-sided and but most particularly of special Commanders have to settle it among

Drew-Khaki Uniform. misleading method of examining s

Takes Full Responsibility Training Course-Part 1-All ranks of the "B" Company will attend at Murray the conduct of the war. The vasi classes of modern weapons, anti-

"I take the fullest personal re Parade Ground on Wednesday, June 11, sponsibility for that decision, but at 17.15 hours for instruction in Port i the Chiefs of Staff,

of Training Course. the Defence form.

Dress--Khaki Uni-

a debate on the loss of the Hood could be formed into batterics in order-in-Chief has to be at sea very; deserve to be considered before you instruction in Part I of Training Colise

Choosing The Occasion

"I always take very great pains to servo the House and always to as sociate the House with events, and it would be better if I were permit- ted, on behalf of the Government, to choose the occasion for making

our

he

the

alrcraft guns, anti-tank guns and f for whatever is done.

scene dan only be surveyed as tanks themselves, which have proved whole and ought not to be debated

victory,

will De

Paltol Duty duties wi

be

Gutierrez is Invalided from the Hongkong

plecemeal, especially at a time when vitat necessity of modern wor and made in Greece, which was very committee, and General Wavell all Patrol Duty-Patrol duties will

which he is now prepared to suggest costly

the operations, which are all

IC-

Iated to one another, are wholly

complete.

Factor of Time

Intervention

the

Theatres of War "Before any rational Judgment

Lovely to look at

W. R. CHESTER-WOODS,

Adjutant

Palice Reserve.

though we share full

from the effort we have

aircraft, the situation in we are so purblind and out-dated Iraq and Palestine, in-as not be able to comprehend,

and potentially not only thought that Crete ought to carried out as ordered, In Syrin, as well as winding-up

be defended in the circumstances of the Abyssinian story, have all which were fully before them but made very heavy demonds upon our (Here Mr Hore-Bellshin Infervened aircraft, and the situation in the "Into the general survey of the to point out that in Belgium we lost Western Desert had also to be con- war come all sorts of considerations the finest lot of equipment that ever sidered. about gain and loss of time, and its left British shores. He naked effect upon the future as well as the Fremier to recall that up till very entire distribution, of our available recently before the war, the Parlin- resources to meet the many calls ment and country were opposed to could be formed on the disposition upon them.

of the creation a Continental Army, of our air force and the consequent "For instance, Sir John Wardlaw which nevertheless he Milne asked why it was, when create).

wo had Crete in our possession for more Mr Churchill procceded; "I than six months, that we did not dealing not with the particular equip construct numerous airfields and placement of the troops who went to resources, but also what is the nitus- them in the highest state of

de Frans

France, who naturally drained the tlon in these theatres which are all fence, and he reminded us how very rest of our resources, but the equip-

***intimately

inter-related. efficiently the Germans would have ment of our army at that time and

use trying to judge there done such work. If Crate had fallen of the outbreak of the war; it was matters without full knowledge. Full Into their hands.

of the most meagre and deficient knowledge cannot be made public. "Everyone will admit that

have

been a mistake to mako

would

Kreat number of airfields in Crete elves

..

tried

Lo

failure to supply adequate air force

to Crete, It would be necessary, us

am pit toc

In the case of anti-aircraft guns, to know not only what are our whole

it character and

these deficiencies made

marked most

still and themselves most marked in the anti-very type of weapons for which aircraft guns, both of high and low there is the greatest possible demand. celling, and aircraft to defend those airfields, for that would simply have

unless

we could and the

air-borne troops. upon the island.

Not Throwing Blame

no

"I come to the next stage of my argument. I have shown the found- ations upon which we started, and

now go a step forward, Balkan War

"In March we decided to go to the

"I am not throwing all blame for ald of Greece in recordance with our

hos

facilitated the descent of the enemy's this upon Mr Hore-Bellsha, but he Treaty obligations. This, of course, To answer the question why not matter, and when he speaks in this attacked in the western desert, and a great responsibility in this exposed us to the danger of being enough guns were provided for the way. It is only fair to point out that also to defeat by overwhelming num- two serviceable airfields in Crete, he is one of the last people who is bers in Greece unless Yugo-Slavia one would have to consider whether entitled to take that line." we could spare them for that pur

I her part or unless the Greek The Labour Member, Mr. Granville, army could be extricated to hold pose.

Interposed: "No

"No recrimination."

some narrower line. "Mr Churchill conilnued: *Ex-

played her

Battle of Atlantic

"If Greece was over-run by the That leads us to a wider sphere.tremely violent and hostile speeches enemy, it seemed probable that Crete All this time, the Battle of the have been spread about, doing much would be the next object of attack. Atlantic has been going on and the haren and about which have re- The enemy, with his vast local su vory' grost number of guns which colved information from different periority in air power, was able to might usefully have been deployed countries and capitals, showing the drive our aircraft from the airfieldi in Crete, have been and are being uncertainty and disturbance which in Greece and, adding this to mounted, on merchant vessels to is caused thereby.

bin enormously superior anti-aircraft best off, the attacks of Fokker Wult The output of anti-aircraft gune batteries, he was able to make those and Heinkel, hircraft whose depre- is at last rapidly expanding, but the airfolds rapidly available for h duulons have been lessened thereby fact remains that our outils are in- own use.

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