N.Z. TROOPS

Grey River Argus, 2 June 1943, Page 3

N.Z. TROOPS

Tributes at Cairo GIFT OF A CLUB (N.Z.E.F. Official News Service) CAIRO, May 31. One hundred of the New Zealand campaigners who took part in the Battle of El Alamein and other North African engagements are now enjoying amenities at the Alamein Club, Egypt’s thanksgiving gift to the Eighth Army. Glowing tributes to New Zealanders and other troops for successful action against the enemy threat to Egypt were made at the official opening of the club in the presence of the Prime Minister, Nahas Pasha, Lord Killearn. General Maitland Wilson. Generals Freyberg and Stone, Brigadier Chrystall, and other military and Egyptian notables. Lady Freyberg was also present. A stirring display by the New Zealand Pipe Band was one of the features of the ceremony. Situated on Gezira Island, the garden area of Cairo, the club comprises all of the buildings of the Education Department of the Egyptian Government, with full sports and recreational facilities and social amenities. “The name Alamein will figure amongst the greatest victories in history,” said Nahas Pasha, in handing over the club premises. “Almost defeated, the Eighth Army, having lost heavily in men and in arms, turned defeat into victory. (You splendid soldiers have paid by your sacrifices and efforts the price of this victory. We thank you for it.”

Other speakers stressed that the name of Alamein signified deliverance and freedom for the people of Egypt, whose life had been made worth living by sufferings and sacrifices of many brave soldiers, sailors and airmen. There was no longer need to look back to history to write epic stories and poems. Generals Waved, Wilson, Alexander, Montgomery, Freyberg, Air Marshal Tedder, Admiral Cunningham and General Eisenhower could vie with many names in history.

The month of May closed with the “Egyptian Gazette,” one of Cairo’s Anglo-Egyptian newspapers, reviewing an important milestone in the swiftly changing scene of the world war in remembrance of the brave, hopeless struggle of May. 1941. in the battle of Crete. It says: “It was these last days of the month two years ago which saw a gallant mixed force under General Freyberg, making a final valiant stand, when outnumbered and only half-armed in wooded hills and'valleys of Crete Island, and a brilliant New Zealand •rearguard action which made possible the evacuation of such a large part of the force. It was modern warfare in the absolute sense, when the Nazi Werhmacht was at the peak of its striking power. Germany added Crete to her long list of successes, and the only credit entry that Britain could write as a result of the New Zealanders’ stand was that it cost the enemy an appalling price, and seriously delayed a well-planned timetable. The enemy’s limit was reached. It was a turning point of the war. It is well now, in the flush of the African victory, to renew the tribute to the men who fought and died in that strangest battle of all time.”