February 18, 1942

The Times, London, Feb. 19, 1942.

Outside Number 10 Downing Street, yesterday afternoon, the Prime Minister, who was accompanied by Mrs. Churchill, received a trailer canteen presented by Austrians in Britain to the W.V.S. The presentation was made by Sir George Frankenstein, formerly Austrian Minister in London.

MR. CHURCHILL SAID:

"It is not without deep emotion that I attend this simple ceremony. Here we see the heart of Austria, although trampled down under the Nazi and Prussian yoke. We can never forget here in this island that Austria was the first victim of Nazi aggression. We know that happy life which might have been led by scores of millions in central Europe. We remember the charm, beauty, and historic splendour of Vienna, the grace of life; the dignity of the individual; all the links of past generations are associated in our minds with Austria and with Vienna."

TURNING TO SIR GEORGE FRANKENSTEIN, MR. CHURCHILL SAID:

"You are here to link with us between the dark past, the haggard present, and what I still believe will be the glorious future. We shall struggle on and fight on. The people of Britain will never desert the cause of the freedom of Austria from the Prussian yoke. We shall go forward.

"Many long miles will have to be marched and many leagues at sea to be covered by ships; many millions of miles of aeroplane flights will be accomplished; great heart effort from large masses of human beings-but we have three-quarters of the human race upon our side.

"Only our own follies can deprive us of victory, and in the victory of the Allies Free Austria held Austria shall find her honored place."

The ceremony was also attended by the Archduke Robert of Austria, Mr. O. H. Allina (Former Socialist M.P.), Prof. Hertz (former Austrian govt. official, Economist, and Historian), Prof. Lelewer (judge), and other prominent Free Austrians, The canteen was handed over by Mr. Churchill to the Dowager Lady Reading for the W.V.S.