N.Z. CONGRATULATIONS ON U.S. ARMY DAY

Grey River Argus, 6 April 1948, Page 4

N.Z. CONGRATULATIONS ON U.S. ARMY DAY

P.A. WELLINGTON, April 5. A message of cordial greetings and best wishes from the Armed Forces of New Zealand to the United States Army on the occasion of Army Day to-morrow has been sent by the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, to the United States Minister, Mr Robert M. Scotten, with a request that the message be transmitted to the officers and men of the American Army. “We recall with admiration, the great contribution made by that Army to the cause of freedom and justice in two world wars,” said Mr Jones. “In particular, we look bacx with pride upon the spirit of comradeship, mutual trust, and high endeavour which united our respective forces in the arduous battles around Cassino in Italy, in 1944, and in the earlv stages of the long Pacific war when New Zealand troops operated under the command of American formations. ‘‘May that spirit be perpetuated in the promotion of peaceful aims throughout the disturbed world ol to-day. We offer our American comrades our congratulations upon this day of celebration, and our warmest wishes for the maintenance of those high standards which have even been the tradition of the Army of the United States.” U.S. APPRECIATION Mr Scotten’s reply said it was a matter of extreme gratification to him to be able to transmit the message. . "The United States Army consid; er,s the New Zealand Army one ot the finest organisations with which it has ever been associated,” he said. "In these troublesome times, it means much to the soldiers of our Army to know that their comrades in arms in New Zealand have the appreciative recognition expressed in your letter.”

Army Day in Japan (Received April 5, 11.40 p.m.) NZPA—REUTER CABLE TOKIO, April 5. - Lieuterant-General Robert Eichelberger, Commanding General of the United States Eighth Army in Japan, to-day asked the American servicemen here to serve notice on all potential aggressors that the American soldier could be a valued friend or a dangerous enemy. In an Army Day statement, he. said: "Unfortunately, there were those who might mistake America’s national generosity and her efforts for peace as symptoms of weakness.” He added that the Eighth Army had a major job in fostering the growth of democracy in Japan.

Meaning Of Army Day On this day, April 6, 1948, the United States Army celebrates its Army Day. For the past 172 years the Unit' ed States Army has been a close pari of the American way of life. -It his held the nation together by protecting it from its enemies, and it. has been, and always will be, a great constructive force in peace. The recent tragic wap found the United States Army co-operating with Hs allies to destroy the enemies of man’s freedom, his individual rights and his property. Army Day means much to American citizens, for on this day the nation honours its veterans, and also its peace-time army, whose mission is now even greater than ever before.

ARMY LEADER’S MESSAGE General Omar N. Bradley, the new Chief of Staff of the United States Army, best sums up the case of and for the American soldier when he said, “This Army Day, more than two years after the end of history’s most calamitous war, finds the Army of the United States engaged in the task of building a firm, lasting secur-. ity for all people who have suffered the tragedy of aggression, the Army, both at home and in the occupied zones overseas, is charged with a great share of the responsibility lor maintaining a watchful peace. “To accomplish ou r mission, many soldiers are stationed great overseas distances from their homes. They are performing their duties, in many cases under adverse and trying conditions. But they are undertaking them with the knowledge that theirs is a critically important duty. And they have pride in their role as representatives of a free and powerful nation. This army has a single purpose—tp provide fo r the safe-keep-ing- of our nation., It can fulfill that assignment only with the constant awarness and generous support of the American people.” During the war a genuine spirit of camaraderie, was built up between American and British Commonwealth troops throughout the world. Especially was it so in the South Pacific Area, where a strong bond of friendship grew up between New Zealand and . tne American troops. This international goodwill is a great contributing factor for happy relationships between the nations of New Zealand and America. “Our armies are playing a great constructive role in maintaining peace in the occupied countries of Europe and the Far East. However, we must keep a wary eye on the strupofies that are going on in various parts of the world where nearly four million men are still lighting each other, and although we sincerely hope it; not to be true, any one of these clashes could blossom into a third world war .So to us all on this Armv Day comes a moment of reflection for the guardians of peace who protect their nations in this our troubled world.”