VALUABLE TOUR

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 192, 12 May 1944, Page 6

VALUABLE TOUR

Dominion Press Delegates’ Experiences

COMMENT BY LEADER

Dominion Special Service.

HASTINGS. May 11. “We have travelled many thousands of miles and have gathered au enormous amount of information which should be of great value to us in interpreting some of the many complex l questions arising from the war,” said Mr. W. A. Whitloeit, managing editor and director of the "Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune,” who has returned to Hastings after an absence of almost six months as leader of the Press delegation which visited Britain and the United States. The members of the delegation, he said, were met and entertained by citizens, and fellow newspapermen in many towns. The tour was strenuous and the information gathered so voluminous and varied that it was not one but many stories that would have to be told. “We were taken to the stations ot New Zealand Typhoon and bomber squadrons and met many New Zealanders in the course of our travels,” said Mr. Whitlock. "Always we found our men fighting fit. It gave us a glow of pride to learn both in America and Great Britain of the high regard in which New Zealanders lire held in the services. They are admired for their reliability and resourcefulness, and civilians everywhere have the warmest affection for them.” In company with Mr. H. P. N, Freeth. Christchurch, Mr. Whitlock made a briet visit to the base and forward headquarters of the New Zealand Division .in Italy. From a purely, personal viewpoint this visit was the highlight of his tour, for he had the good fortune to see. the elder of his two sons serving in the fighting forces. The visit to Italy was made at. a time when the Cassinb operations were commenced and the two members of the delegation were able to see for themselves something of the difficulties and dangers which had to be faced., “Among the officers and • men there wa s a definite grimness,” said Mr. Whitlock, “but they retained the highspirited confidence for which the New Zealanders are noted.” Emphasizing the problems which the Allies faced at Cassino, Mr. 'Whitlock said that because of the strength of the position both from frontal and flank attack, it was obvious that the Germans had made Cassino the key point in the Gustav Line. For the Allies, there was no lack of air support, but. the Germans had practically done and it was extraordinary that .they had been able to hold on in such circumstances. The New Zealand troops had adapted themselves to the conditions in Italy very well. They had experienced there, some of the toughest fighting of the division’s career and also suffered greatly from the rigours of an exceptionally hard winter. Generally speaking, however, they found the climate bracing and the rate of sickness had been low. All the Allied troops on the Italian front were working together amazingly well and there was a fine spirit of cameraderie. Throughout the tour the members of the delegation were treated as honoured guests and given every facility for gathering information. The British Ministry of Information organized the very busy itinerary so efficiently 4 that the members encountered no serious travel discomforts. Services personnel with whom they came in contact were always most helpful. Though in America for only a brief period, they were able to meet many leading personalities, including the late Colonel Frank Knox, Secretary of the Navy. They also met some journalists in New York and the executives of the Office of War Information extended to them every hospitality. Even in their brief stay in Panama they encountered the same open-handed hospitality. Mr. Benfield Barker, of the British consular staff, put them in touch with a U.S. Army officer who organized an interesting tour of the canal zone s defence establishments. In Britain, Mr. W, J. Jordan, High Commissioner, and his staff, did much to add to the interest and pleasure of the visit. In Washington, Mr. Geoffrey Cox, then Charge d’Affaires, and the members of the New Zealand Legation staff, gave them a hospitable welcome and every assistance. 1 “It was a great trip, a truly wonderful one,” said Mr. Whitlock in conclusion, "but it is fine to be back home again and see the old familiar faces and places.”