General Freyberg on Special Force

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 4, 5 January 1940, Page 7

General Freyberg on Special Force

Achilles Tipped Scale Against Graf Spee LUNCHEON TO MILITARY AND NAVAL CHIEFS Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Jan. 4. “In three days I have seen every man and met every officer of the first echelon. It was impossible for me in that short time to make a thorough inspection, but I will stake any military authority or reputation I may have in saying I am personally satisfied they will strive hard to maintain the traditions of the first New Zealand Expeditionary Force. And I say also that they will not strive in vain. ’ ’ This statement was made to-day by Major-General B, C. Freyberg, V.C., commander of the second New Zealand Expeditionary Force, at a luncheon given by the Government in honour of tho first echelon and its escort. Tho naval representatives congratulated New Zealand ou the part played by H.M.S. Achilles in the engagement with the Graf Spee. Rear-Admiral J. B. Grace, of H.M.A.S. Canberra, said the Achilles must be the envy of all sailors, while Captain H. T. Baillie-Grohman, of H.M.fc?. Ramillies, said the Achilles had tipped the scales in the engagement. The luncheon given at Parliament House was attended by a distinguished company of guests, both local and visiting. It seemed just a few days since the question of transport and convoy of the New Zealand troops had been discussed with the War Office and tho Admiralty, said the Minister of Education and Health (Hon. P. Fraser) in proposing tho toast of ‘‘Our Guests.” At these discussions it was recognised that transport which was good enough 25 years ago was not up to the standard of modern requirements. The War Office had fully entered into that conception and j as a result they saw to-day some of the I finest ships afloat available for tho | transport of the troops. At a rough estimate there was 124,500 tons of shipping now available foi the purpose of conveying and protecting tho men of the first echelon. As it was but six weeks since these matters had been discussed, it said a great deal for the organisation of the British Commonwealth generally and the Admiralty and Ministry of Shipping in particular that in this period the ships were readily available. [ It was the first time a ship of the | Ramillies type had visited New Zealand. The occasion was also notable for the fact that there were ships of the P. and O. Line, Orient Line, C.P.R. Line, New Zealand Shipping Coy. and BritiskIndia Company in port. It was wonderful that these ships should be at the command of the Governments of the British Commonwealth and here at the service of the New Zealand Government. Major-General Freyberg had been welcomed spontaneously and sincerely in New Zealand and there was not a discordant note as to his suitability to take commnnd. Staff Corps’ Fine Work. All who saw the inspiring parade of the previous day realised what a fine fit body of men these soldiers of the first echelon were, said General Freyberg. He was informed there had been similar parades at Auckland and in the south. Of those who saw the parade possibly many took it for granted without realising tho tremendous amount of work done by the New Zealand Staff Corps under the lino leadership of Major-General Duigan, also the work done by the citizen army w’ho had given their time and energy when military matters were not so important as now. He did not think it was generally realised what a difficult job it was to pick commanders for the new forco. There were in the New Zealand Staff Corps four men all perfectly fit to take each job. Ho knew what it meant to professional soldiers to forge material and then soe them go away while they remained behind, but they had to stay because it was necessary to maintain the standard of the drafts that were to come.

Selecting officers in New Zealand at present was a difficult task. The Great War was now 20 years past and those who had commanded companies and battalions in it were now reaching the extreme age limit of suitability as unit commanders. To show that it was realised that young New Zealand must be encouraged, two officers under the age of 35 were being picked to command units iu the third echelon.

Rear-Admiral Crace said his ship had been invited by the New Zealand Government to visit Wellington at about this time in connection with the Centennial colebrations, but iu times of peace when the invitation was extended it was not found possible to accept because of their commitments. Now, with the heavier commitments of war, here they were, so that this strangest of wars had its compensations, despite their very short stay. It was hoped to visit New Zealand again shortly, though he feared these visits, too, would be I ricf. Captain Baillie-Grohman thanked the people of Wellington for Tvliat they had done for the officers and men of his ship. They had been entertained magnificently. After seven weeks at sea, travelling at high sped and with only two nights in harbour, this hospitality was most welcome. When his ship arrived at Fremantle British sailors had not been seen there for so long that the inhabit-

nnts thought the Royal Marines were German prisoners of war. The toast of the British Kmpire’s Allies, Franco and Poland, was also honoured and “The Marsellnisc “ play ed. * The Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. ,\I. 3. Savage) was unable to attend the luncheon. The Ministers present were Hor.s. W. Nash, F. Jones and H. T. Armstrong