MEMORIES OF ALAMEIN

Chronicle (Levin), 26 October 1946, Page 5

MEMORIES OF ALAMEIN

Press Assn.

(Special Correspondent)."

Reunion of Eighth Army NEW ZEALANDERS PRESENT

By Telegraph

-Copijdght -

lieceived Friday, 7 p.m. LOXDOX, Oct. 24. The Alamein reunian in the Albert Ilall was far romoved in its setting from other less comfQrtable occasions, when Viscount Montgomery addressed the men of his Eighth Army, 'but it brought nnexpected reminders of tho.se occasions. They had, as it were, been ' pnt into civilian dress. Perhaps they came from the iong beams of spotlights in the c.eiling of the great hall, as they cut through the haze of tobacco smoke like miniature searchlights through a dust haze at night, perhaps from the intent ring of cross legged men sitting at the foot of the rostrum from which their old Commander talked to them. That rostrum, backed by the neat butt.ons of the Scots and Guards banil and the gold-barred tunics and busbies of the Hoyal Artilierv trumpeters in full dress uniform, bore no resemblance whatever to the back of an Army truck but the incisive voice Avith its repetitive sentences was the same and the sentinients the voice expresseil were the same. Their theme was: "Be strong and be prepared" — two maxims which Viscount Montgomery had made particularly familiar to the Eighth Army. Another very familiar ligure follovved Viscount Montgomery to the rostruni. Manv of the men who listened, reinembered hlr. Churchill when, witli Alamein and all their desert battles beliind them, I he said to them at Tripoli: "The achievenients of the Eighth Army will gleam aml glow in history. The days of your victories are by no means at an end. ' ' Last night the boiler suit of Mr.* Churchill 's desert journeyings had gone and he wore the conventional dress of a Farliamentai'ian, relieved only by live rows of medal ribbons against his black coat. But the men knew his prediction iiad ccmie true and that the voice was the same, vibrant and measured, passing in a nioment from grave empliasis to a sudden quirk of humour. j Viscoqnt Montgomery spoke of "Mr. Churchill, ' ' someone called from the safe anonymity of the crowded galleries, "Call him Winnie," and when Mr. Churchill spoke of ' 1 General Montgoml ery ' ' another voice interjectqd "Call !him kfonty. " Tlien 5000 of the men who hail marched and fought with the