FIGHTING FIT

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 175, 27 July 1942, Page 5

FIGHTING FIT

N.Z. MILITARY LEADERS

GEN. FREYBERGB CHALLENGE

(By F.N.R.)

The amazement which General Freyberg is reported to have occasionecl his doctor in Egypt by his rapid recovery from his neck wound marks at least the second occasion on which this splendid soldier has brought confusion to the mind of a member of the medical profession.

When General Freyberg came forward in England at the beginning of the present war to insist on active service the doctor who carried out his medical examination was equally insistent that the general could not make the grade—in other words that he was not up to the requisite medical standard.

General Freyberg always has been a strict believer in physical fitness in peace as well as in war, and in the years since the last war and up till the present outbreak had kept himself In splendid shape mainly with walking, golfing and boxing. He was at first mildly amused, but when the medico persisted that the soldier was afflicted with that elusive and somewhat intangible malady known as "heart trouble*' he ended the matter in characteristic style by challenging his medical friend to compete with him in such alternative physical tests as walking, climbing or boxing. The controversy between the general and his medical expert extended over some days, but the soldier finally had his way, and subsequent events seem fully to have confirmed his confidence in his own state of health. General Barrowclough, Too It is perhaps worthy of note that another New Zealander who also has earned prominence as a soldier and strategist, General Barrowclough— and who until recalled to New Zealand some months ago was senior brigade commander under General Freyberg, of whom he is a keen admirer—also encountered a mild temporary difficulty when insisting on getting back into military harness in the early days of this war. The medical tests were particularly rigid and it was at one stage thought that his hearing was somewhat impaired, but it seems that the suspicion of any physical defect whatever was as unfounded as in the case of General Freyberg. Like the latter, General Barrowclough is a staunch believer in absolute physical fitness in all ranks under his command, commencing with himself. When he was returned from Libya some months ago General Barrowclough was the embodiment of keen good health and on the rare occasions lately when he has briefly left his command for a flying visit to Auckland it has been noted that a man could hardly look in better form. Incidentally it might be here mentioned that had he not been returned for duty in New Zealand General Barrowclough as senior brigadier would automatically have found himself in charge of the New Zealand Division during the absence of General Freyberg. Those who know the keen ability and enthusiasm of General Barrowclough will have some appreciation of what it must mean to a soldier to be brought from the scene of events at such time and in such circumstances, and the spirit which enables a military leader to carry on, giving of his best, irrespective of to whatever corner of obscurity he has been temporarily relegated.