HC Deb 30 March 1943 vol 388 c33
50. Sir Herbert Williams

asked the Prime Minister on how many fronts His Majesty's land, sea and air Forces are now engaged or in position?

The Prime Minister

His Majesty's land Forces are at the moment actively engaged on three fronts—in North Africa, in Burma and in the South-West Pacific. It would not be in the public interest to state on what other fronts they are in position. So far as His Majesty's sea and air Forces are concerned, the term "front" is hardly appropriate. His Majesty's ships have to operate continuously on all the oceans of the globe. The areas in which our Air Forces are engaged may be defined as follow:—

  • Western Europe.
  • The Atlantic.
  • The Mediterranean.
  • India and Burma.
  • The Pacific.

Sir H. Williams

Are not our Forces engaged on more fronts than those of any other nation?

Mr. Astor

Will my right hon. Friend discourage in future the use of that very misleading phrase, "Second Front"?

The Prime Minister

No, Sir, I do not want to discourage the use of it, because our good friends, fighting so hard, know very well what they mean by it.