The Army 'n 1943
In his speech on the Army Estimates in the House of Commons Sir James Grigg had an inspiring theme—that of a great com- batant Army now believed to be fully trained and equipped for all the purposes of war, with powerful units successfully fighting in North Africa, other powerful units in Iraq and Persia and Syria, r trained Field Army at home, reserve formations brought into being to provide reinforcements, Home Guards and A.T.S., and directing the whole an organisational machine which, the Minister was able to show, has been in many ways improved. The picture was drawn in the light of a situation radically different from that of a year ago.Firstly, disasters have given place to victories, most notably those of the Eighth Army; and secondly, planning now, everywhere, is not for defensive but offensive action. In the light of recent victories, with the evidence of
successful tank operations and admirable liaison between the A. and the Air Force, it was natural that there should be less emplia on deficient equipment or inadequate co-operation between Ann but it is right that the question of the adequacy or inadequacy our tanks should continue to be pressed ; it will be essen that in the coming invasion of Europe the Army should be equip with the right tanks in the largest possible numbers. But at last the nation can feel that it has a great Army trained all operations, some of it consisting of veterans, some of rr hardened in battle drill, its morale high, and confident in capacity to engage the enemy anywhere.
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