THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY. WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 1943 VETERANS COME HOME

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3288, 14 July 1943, Page 4

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY. WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 1943 VETERANS COME HOME

On Monday morning the whole of New Zealand was stirred and excited by the news that the veterans of the Division had landed safely in the Dominion and that they would soon reach their homes to receive an enthusiastic welcome, a welcome made deeper in its intensity by the pride the Dominion has in the gallant exploits of its men. It has been a long and hard road that has led these veterans back to the land of their birth. A host of names along this road comes crowding in—Mt. Olympus and < Servia Pass in Greece, Malemi aerodrome in Crete, Sidi Rezegh, Mersa Matruh, Ruweisat Ridge, Alamein, Agheila and the Mareth Line; these are the names on the battle honours of the Divis? ion and each is a token of the gallantry, devotion and sacrifice that have helped to form the glorious record of the Division. Magnificent as is the war service of New Zealand’s airmen and sailors it is true that in the Division New Zealand recognises the finest and fullest manifestation of its war effort. The Division has been an entity, it is wholly New Zealand in character, outlook and tradition; in it New Zealanders have seen a national reflection of the Dominion itself. And in it also the returned men of the last war have seen a perpetuation of the magnificent reputation they established for New Zealanders-at-arms.a quarter of a century ago. Thus the pride in the Division’s gallant exploits has gone as deep as the sense of nationhood itself.

The men of the Ist., 2nd. and 3rd. Echelons laid the foundation of the Division, they bore the brunt of the reverses in Greece and Crete, and upon their battleexperience was built the skill and dash that was later to bring such historic and gallant successes* to the Division in the bitter but finally decisive Battle for Africa. No single group of soldiers in the global war is more deserving of this long furlough, this return z to their homeland, than the three echelons. The victory in Tunisia gave ( an opportunity that was wisely and gladly of, and although there may be disappointment that even more could not have returned the whole of the Dominion will applaud the decision to give these veterans the rest and welcome home they so richly deserve.

The spontaneity and enthusiasm of the welcome .given at the Paeroa Railway Station on Tuesday morning was no doubt repeated Dominion-wide from the smallest country village to the largest city. But in the midst of this rejoicing there will be realisation that this homecoming will bring sad memories to some. Yet even in the sadness of those who grieve there will be a deep pride in the gallantry and devotion of a Division whose courage has helped so often to turn the tide of battle in Africa and to make possible the assault upon Europe that appropriately has taken place almost at the moment of the return of the veterans to their homeland. Back in the Middle East the meh now training for new battles will take heart from the enthusiasm 'with which New Zealand greets the return of its veteran soldiers and pays tribute to their gallantry." That enthusiasm will inspire them with the determination that the Division, Mr Churchill’s “Ball of Fire,” shall strike ever harder and stronger so that the war shall be ended the sooner and New Zealand be able to welcome home permanently all its sons, soldiers, airmen and alike.