THE NEW ZEALAND SPEARHEAD

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 61, 2 April 1943, Page 4

THE NEW ZEALAND SPEARHEAD

WITH a further thrill of pride New Zealanders have heard of the further heroic part played by 'Kiwi' Division in th<i new thrust in Tunisia which penetrated the Mareth Line and swept through and on to the important coastal centre of Gabes. The gallant Freyberg, who if we are to believe the testimony of all returned men is all but worshipped by his troops has again distinguished himself by his resourcefulness and natural leadership. It is obvious from cablfed reports that the New Zealand Division is regarded as possibly the best shock-troop unit in the whole of the hard bitten Eighth Army. The fact, that from El Alamein to Tripoli they were selected to play a major role in every victorious manoeuvre planned by General Montgomery is in itself evidence of this and in regarding it we can also bask in the satisfaction that casualties were comparatively light when we consider the daring and dangerous* part which our men have been called upon to play. Another thought emerges from this achievement of which we can also be none-the-less proud. That is that the: Italian policy in attack is almost invariably to make the coloured colonial soldier responsible for the spearhead contact, leaving the white European troops to follow up and consolidate. This is, we admit contrary to Nazi practice but it is none-the-less refreshing to realise we as Britishers are even prepared to take the brunt of frontal attacks by risking therein our own flesh and blood in order to ensure success. The New Zealanders must, even in the midst of the hardy desert-trained veterans of the Eighth Army be regarded' as the most tried and experienced division in the whole of the Middle East. The withdrawal of the Australians has left them now the undisputed distinction of having fought uninterruptedly for two and a half years. -With them aref carried the traditions of the Greek and Cretan campaigns, a leading part in the two great thrusts into Libya under Wavell and Auchinlech, the stopping of Rommel at t'he> very gates of Alexandria after, a forced march from the green Syrian fieMs and finally the whirlwind attack which swept the Axis forces back for fifteen hundred miles with unheard of punishment. Is it any wonder that Montgomery knowing their mettle, their bravery and tenacity, has all% cated the 'Kiwis' the invariable role of spearhe.ad troops on all important and critical' occasions.