CRASH TACTICS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20133, 30 December 1939, Page 5

CRASH TACTICS

GERMAN METHODS WHEN ATTACK COMES DIRECTION UNCERTAIN PURE CONJECTURE FREYBERG’S OPINIONS (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. In '.he difficult times ahead it was gratifying to know that lie had the support of all the people of New Zealand, said the General Officer Commanding the Special Force, Major-G jneral B. C. Freyberg, V.C., at a reception accorded him yesterday afternoon by the Wellington Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen's Association.

Major-Gererai Freyoerg. repeated the statement he made at the civic teception in Wellington that, so far as the Allies were concerned, the war had not yet started.

A dictator country like Germany, he said, must take some action as soon as offensive operations were possible. In his 01 inion, after having looked on the defences of one side of the Maginot Line, it would be an act of folly or desperation for Germany to attack on this front.

Germany was faced with either ;rving to seek a conclusion by attacking on the Western Front against the Maginot Line or •in south-eastern Europe. Future Pure Conjecture “The' - e is nothing to show which way it will go,” said Major-General freyberg. “The future if. pure conjecture. “When it comes it will be according to Germany s well-known crash hctics, intensive bombing and machine-gun fire from low-flying aeroplanes and from heavily-armour-ed venieles.’’ Major-General Freyberg, who was accompanied by the Chief of the General Staff in New Zealand, MajorGeneral J. E. Duigan, met with an enthusiastic burst of hand-clapping and cheering when he arrived at the club and was received by the president of the United Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen’.; Association of Now Zealand, Mr. Hustler Smith.

“A good many nien here are going away and to them it is a dream come true that Major-General Freyberg should be their boss.” Mr. Hustler Smith said. Others they were pleased ;o welco no and who had done good rork "or New Zealand were the Hon. W. Perry, the Dominion president of ihe New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association. Lieutenant-Colonel H. *5. Avery and Captain S. Frickleton V.C. "Because we have with us at this gathering two holders of the Vic:cria Cross we are making history.” Mr. Hustler Smith added. Preserving Traditions The value of lis conversations with Major-General Duigan had surpassed my thing he could say, Major-General Freyberg said. "I am certain that the youth of this country and the youth af Great Britain will manfully uphold .he traditions of those who fought in the last war,” he added. “1 will say this very sincerely: Major-General Freyberg is the right nan in the right place,” said MajorGeneral Duigan. “I have met no other officer m all my career who would ead the Second New Zealand Exocditionaty Force as he will.”

Major-General Duignu said that Major-General Freybtrg could rely on him io do all he possibly could in New Zealand. It was not possible, with the equipment available in the Dominion, to five the men the thorough training necessary, but Major-General Freyberg would later give them higher training -overseas and would wold them rnto a first-class fighting force.