The Army in Britain
In a speech at Gosport last Sunday Mr. Amery spoke of the victories won by the Air Force during the last two months as constituting one of the decisive battles of history. The invasion of Britain, which was to deal the knock-out blow and end the war, was. frustrated. Germany had made preparations on a vast scale with men and material disposed for the attack on Britain, and had been unable to launch it. Mr. Amery did not say even now that Hitler had abandoned the hope of invasion, or that he had dispersed the forces assigned for the task ; but he did say that if the invasion should still be attempted it will be a failure.' Needless to say, the fact that strong German forces are still in position in the region of the " invasion ports " compels our Army to keep constant watch and ward along all our own coastline—the further side of the Channel must still be regarded as a No-man's land across which opposing forces face one another. But-behind this line stand the reserves of a now powerful British Army, some of which is ready to reinforce our overseas troops and some still undergoing training for the active part it is likely to be called upon to play next year. All are now being put into winter quarters. We hear a good deal about how these great bodies of troops are to be occupied during the winter. Education and recreation will be most necessary for keeping up their spirits : but the all-important thing is that in winter, as in summer, these troops should be subjected to intensive training which will fit them as quickly as possible for all the duties of cam- paigning, and make them fully versed in the use of all arms and capable of any operations of attack or defence. This winter should provide the opportunity of building up a massive and highly trained Army.
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