How the General Was Wounded

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 54, 7 March 1944, Page 4

How the General Was Wounded

(Official War Correspondent, N.Z.E.F.) DIVISIONAL HEADQUARTERS. ITALY, March 4. While visiting the forward area Major-General Kippenberger was seriously wounded as a result of stepping on what is believed to have been an anti-personnel box mine. With his A.D.C., Second Lieutenant F. F. Massey, of Mangere, a grandson of the former New Zealand Prime Minister, William Ferguson Massey, General Kippenberger was descending a rocky slope after viewing the battle area. He remarked to Lieut. Massey that the place seemed a likely one for mines and they had proceeded only a few yards further when there was a violent ex plosion which threw General Kippenberger several yards and Lieut. Massey some distance down the hillside. One of General Kippenberger's feet had been severed and the other was so shattered that later it had to bo amputated. Lieut. Massey, although he had been following only a yard or so behind General Kippenberger, escaped with superficial wounds. General Kippenberger suggested that he crawl down the rest of the slope, but Lieut. Massey upon seeing the seriousness of his wounds hastily made for a nearby New Zealand unit. Stretcher-bearers set out immediately and within a very short time General Kippenberger was receiving medical attention. He was returned to the rear areas through the usual medical channels and it is expected that within the next day or two he will be moved from the casualty clearing station to the New Zealand general hospital on the Fifth Army front. He has already been visited by General Freyberg. The news of General Kippenberger’s wounds has stirred the feelings of overy man in the Division. He Is admired by the troops for his leadership and for his unfailing interest in their weelbeing over a long period. Box mines are an ever-present menace on the front. They are well concealed anti difficult to detect. It was reported to-day that General Kippenberger was making as good progress as could be expected in the circumstances.