Explaining the transport arrangements, Mr. Here-Belisha said that more devious routes were taken than in 1914 as a precaution against air attacks.
In France, vehicles and men were dispersed in small groups halted in concealed areas by day, and moved onwards by night.
As with transport, so with maintenance, the problem had become greater han it was a generation ago.
In France, there were fifty of vehicles, most of them requiring a different grade of fuel and lubricants. Great reserves had had to be conveyed and stored.
Again comparing with 1914, Mr. Here-Belisha said "now only 20 per cent. of the fighting troops are iny fantrymen, with fifty Bren guns, 22 anti-tank rifles and other weapons as well per battalion, compared with nearly sixty per cent. of the fighting troops in 1914 who were infantrymen.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.