Evening star., 1940-05-28
London
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heavy casualties, but neutral sources
believed the flrst-which would be
designed to join the British and
French Armies-would strengthen
the Allies general strategical situ-
alton considerably.
Push Toward Channel.
A push toward the Channel would
mean that troops gathering to be
taken OF in transports or warships
to be landed at other points in
France or IN Britain would be sub
jected to a merciless bombing and
straf1ng. This pounding probably
would push the total casualties far
higher than those produced by a
move southwark.
Neutral sources declared the only
hope OF salvation for the British
expeditionary force lay in such a
southwark push. If this was COM
pleted the Allies then could mount
q general offensive northward
against the German armies holding
the Netherlands. Belgium and the
occupied area of France.
Withdrawal Considered,
Deprived of the Belgian ArIny's
aid. Britain gathered her forces for
supreme effort to break the Ger
man ring OF steel around her ex-
peditionary force in Flanders.
Naval spokesmen indicated that
withdrawal of the British Army
from the Belgian battlefield was
under consideration, but it was
admitted that great dangers would
be faced In any attempt to bring it
out by way of the heavily bombed
Channel ports.
1t was indicated that it would be
up to the navy and the Royal Air
Force to protect any withdrawal
from the army's present position
by way Of the Channel ports.
1t was admitted that the Belgian
capitulation opened a way for the
Nazi legions to smash through
Dunkerque, Frances vital Channel
port, through which the B. E. F..
has been largely supplied.
Silent on Decision.
The government was silent, how
ever. concerning any moves it was
likely to make, particularly since
such decisions are up to field com
manders.
Alfred Duff Cooper, Minister of
Information. in a broadcast to the
nation, said: Il don't think we
should attempt at present to pass
Judgment on Belgium's capitula-
ton.
I'VE know that the Belgian Army
has been fighting very brayely
against tremendous Odds" he said,
THE situation in which the B. E, F.
consequently finds itself is one of
extreme gravity"
The Evening Standard, owned by
Lord Beaverbrook, Minister of Air
craft Production, took a less kindly
view, and called King Leopold S
surrender "a savage, treacherous
blow" to the Allied cause.
Its headline over a caustic editorial
was King Quisling''-a reference
to Maj. Vidkun Quisling, Norwegian
VINO formed short-nved regime to
cooperate with the Germans in Oslo
upon the Nazi invasion of Norway.
More Men ConscripteG.
News of the Belgian capitulation
came hard on the heels of blunt and
frank word to the British people
that the battle situation in Flanders
mad become one of utmost gravity" :"
Germany. high sources said
through the press, is pouring men
and machines into the fighting with
such speed that the plight of the
British Expeditionary Force and
other troops which the Nazis are
attempting to encircle has become
ominously serious.
To meet the challenge the gov
ernment stepped up its fighting
strength by calling men of the ages
OF % and 20 for military service.
The move was expected to add 600,-
600 men to the armed forces and
raise Britain's army to the 5000 900
mark.
At home the government pro-
ceeded with preparations for any
eventuality by forming a force of
100000 civilian volunteers to help
the regular army tackle any invaders
who may come by parachute and by
dividing the country into 800 self
contained food areas so that in
habitants may obtain food supplies
in the event that certain sections
are cut off by invaders.
Volunteers Relieve Troons-