ENTRY INTO TRIPOLI

Marlborough Express, Volume LXXVII, Issue 21, 27 January 1943, Page 5

ENTRY INTO TRIPOLI

ARRIVAL OF NEW ZEAL4NDERS CHANGE IN ENVIRONMENT.

(Official War Correspondent with N.Z.E.PO

TRIPOLI, Jan. 23. Tripoli at last! A little more than an hour ago— -it is now three o'clock in the afternoon — our most forward troops, a company of Maoris, reached the outskirts of the city, followed closely by other New Zealand forces. They were the first Dominion troops of occupation in Tripoli. They will be camped among trees and other green surrbundings, most welcome to the eye after the weeks of the weary desert journey from E1 Alamein. This morning when we set out along the bitumen road from a position a few miles south of Azizia, it was with a feeling.of expectancy of at last something better than a vast desert waste ahead. The way was clear and the speed increased untii our coumns were rumbling along merrily at a good 30 miles an hour. There were no bumps and no dust; only a chilly wind to cause discomfort. We saw the positions where the enemy had made his final stand last night, but the pace of our advance assured us that the way to Tripoli

must be open. This was true, and soon we were exchanging greetings with smiling natives. Italian civilians gathered in small groups on the roadside. Some waved or saluted, but none seemed greatly perturbed. The country was still sandy 20 miles from Tripoli, but there were clive and gum trees. Lunch fires had been lighted by troops on the roadside with gumtree branches, and the smoke wafted across the road was like a breath from home. FREYBERG GREETED.

Then the first kilo stones appeared with Tripoli named. . In a small village about ten miles from the city General Freyberg stood on the roadside. He was saluted by his men as they passed. Some did. not salute — they waved, and their waves were returned. There was nothing ceremonial about it — the General had about him a gathering of awed natives. The men welcomed the sight of the leader who had brought them to a goal which they had had in mind for so long. There was many a handshake at the Azizia gates, still a few miles from the heart of the city. Maoris in Bren carriers were strung along the roadway. Apparentiy unconcerned, the natives went aboui; their strange ways while Italians stood about, mostly in groups, interested but seemingly not. alarmed. There was a sound of a distant explosion, bringing from a Maori the remark: "I hope they haven't blown up the brewery." Now some of our troops are about to rnove into the city. They will find Tripoli slightly scarred by bombing, but most of the fine buildings of the European quarter are intact. Many of the harbour installations have been destroyed and there are sunken or half-sunken ships, but the waterfront is still beautiful. The Italians appear quite willing to be friendly. All the shops are shut— perhaps they have nothing to sell — but . already there are increasing signs of civilian activity. It seems that Tripoli will be no disappointment to the New Zealanders.