MEN PRAISED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 2 September 1942, Page 4

MEN PRAISED

PARTICIPANTS IN LIBYAN CAMPAIGN

CAPTI RED BRIGADIERS WKITF. I ROM ITALY Wellington. Tin. Day. In a «fatci)u a ni last night the Acting-Prime Minister. Mr. Sullivan. said that just be tore his departure lor the United States the Prime Minister. Mr. Fraser, received letter*. from Brigadier Hargest and Brigadier Miles, who were now [tri-oners of war in Italy. “ l licse officers would, if they were able, wish fo communicate | with the relatives of those men under their command who in their last engagement were either killed in j action or made prisoners of war.**t said Mr. Sullivan, who added that this, unfortunately, was not posable. but the following letters from j them would he a comfort and in- | spiration to the relatives of tlie men j concerned and. in fact, to all. | Following is the letter from Bnga i dier llargest, dated April 21*: - "The last letter I wrote was com- ! corned with the death «.f i*oor Hult- ! quist. since when much lias happened and Grigg and Alien have also gone Parliament lias at least contributed Its share in the sacrifice of precious 1 lives. Since my last fight on Novem- , tier 27. I have wanted to write to you. but we are strictly limited, and I asked Jordan to pass on messages t<* ] you and our mutual friends. I was most anxious that you should know ! that I did not fail in the trust you I reposed in me by appointing me as one of the loaders of our men. Danger* Known. "In the past hattje I knew the dangers to which wo were exposed. I was given a job to do to hold a certain area which was vital and..as someone had to do it. I have no complaint of the task. We were few in lumber. hut I did continue to get all who could l>o spared out of the way and save a lot. of transport, but elected that I and my staff should share in whatever befel. We were not taken by surprise, but were well warned and were only overwhelmed by sheer i weight after ail our guns bad been

destroyed. “No man of ours left his place and

there were many acts of gallantry that, if l live to return. I hope to *ee rewarded. The only troops who moved were gallant men going forward to threatened s-pota. After it was over after two hour#—Rommel congratulated me on the courage of our wen. Grigg fell like a true hero. “I would he grateful if you would tell the peopio of my unbounded admiration for their soldier relatives, who were never finer than when facing a hopeless situation or in the first sad hours in captivity. It has been a great honour to serve beside them through several campaigns. Please tell them that 1 regret my inability personally to express my sympathy with tbn#e who mourn. Some day I shall. "Miles. Bishop Gerard and I held a little Anzae service—just we three. They are well. We are treated well. Give my regards to Mrs. Fra«er, your colleagues and mutual friends. We thiak much about New Zealand.** From Brigadier Miles. The following letter li;w j.No Iv'ca received from Brigadier Miles, da *4 March 20:— "I need hardly * a . r lmw- deeply humiliated I am to bo writing to you from captivity, i have been deepl> concerned, however, because my pres eut circumstances prevent my writing individually to the relatives of those gallant officers, n.c.o.’a and men who fell while fighting so nobly under my command. My main purpose in writing is. therefore, to ask you, by radio or such means as you think best, to express to tlieir relatives and friend** my deep nympathy with them and my deep appreciation of the good service* of those whose loss they mourn. "It is a source of pride to me, a* I tru«t it may be of comfort to the mourners, that all ranks of the artillery fought nobly and well, and I am confident that their efforts and their sacrifice, though at such heavy co»t, largely contributed to the success with which the division withstood for several days attacks by superior -forces and was able to go on to eventual success. "I do not know the full tally of our losses, but outstanding among them was Oakes and Arthur Grigg. Hargest is writing you a similar request, and if by mischance only nuo of our letters should arrive, would you please act on it. for both of u.s in reference to our respective commands. "Eu route here I was some days on Crete, where there are still many men captured in that battle. They are in great heart and confident <»f ultimate victory, but need parcels of food and clothing more than those in this country. Our thoughts are with you a l iu your present anxiety, but. w* trust the war will not reach our • ore*, (largest and Bishop Gerard join uie iu "Brigadier Miles refers to the need of Hie prisoners in Crete f«»r parcel* of food and clothing,” .-aid Mr. Suliivan. “I understand, however, that the majority, if not all, of these meu have since been removed to prison camps in Germany, where parcels of food and clothing are available for supply lo them.’’