THIS YEAR OF SERVICE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 167, 13 October 1941, Page 3

THIS YEAR OF SERVICE

GENERAL FREYBERG'S MESSAGE

CAIRO, Sept. 23

"I think officers and men can look back with satisfaction upon our two years' hard work and achievement," states Major-General B. C. Freyberg, V.C% G.O.C. 2nd N.Z.E.F., in a special message marking the commencement of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force's third year of service.

"The Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force has just had its second birthday. It seems a far cry back to the days of recruiting and training in New Zealand and the difficulties of organisation in the early days in Egypt. Now we hear of splendidly equipped training establishments in New Zealand, while in Egj'pt our own Base and Training Camp lias developed from a desert waste to a well-planned town complete with tar-sealed roads and amenities of all kinds. We have the Lowry Hut, the Church Army Hut, the Y.M.G.A. and E.F.I, canteens in camp, the Maadi. Tent in Maadi, and the New Zealand Forces Club in Cairo. No force lias been better treated. We owe a debt of gratitude to' the whole-hearted and generous help of those at home, especially to the National Patriotic Fund.

"On the military side I think officers and men can look back with Satisfaction upon our two years' hard svork and achievement.

"'We stand now at the beginning of the third j'car of the Avar. The New Zealand Division has been brought up tei strength after the campaigns in G recce and Crete. The men have been trained and they are fully' equipped. With a confidence born of experience, the division is now ready for any part it may be destined to play."