FRIENDLY VISITOR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26621, 18 November 1947, Page 4

FRIENDLY VISITOR

SIR OLIVER LEESE GENEROUS TRIBUTES PAID WORTH OF SECOND DIVISION P.A. AUCKLAND, Nov. 17. “If any of the officers or men who served with me see me about the place, I do hope they will come and talk to me, because it would be very difficult for me to know them by sight,” said Lieutenantgeneral Sir Oliver Leese, at one time commander of the Eighth Army, on his arrival from Britain by the motor ship Waipawa. The tall friendly leader of important formations, both in the Mediterranean and South-East-Asia theatres said he :; regarded, his • opportunity to visit the Dominion as the guest of the Government, and also of the Gover-nor-General as being too good to be true. ■ General Leese said his interest in New Zealand developed greatly during the war years. He saw a great deal of General Sir Bernard Freyberg in the desert and- in Italy, and he also learned much of New Zealand from other officers and men of the division. “I have always wanted a chance of coming here to tell the people how magnificently the Second Division did

in Africa and Italy,” said Sir Oliver. “Throughout all the fighting it din splendid work, and it set a tremendous example in all the early campaigns. Sir Bernard Freyberg is a very good friend of mine. It was quite remarkable how the personal magnetism of his leadership was felt not only m action, but throughout the whole army. Battles were won—and won almost in the old-fashioned way—by this personal leadership on the battlefield.” Sir Oliver is looking forward with great enthusiasm to days of trout fishing, and liberal opportunities have been provided for the sport in the itinerary arranged for him. Accompanied by Lady Leese, he was .met by Brigadier R. S. Park, commanding the northern military district, and by Major N. Wigram,. military secretary to the Governor-General. After the Waipawa had anchored at the Motuihi powder grounds, they were taken to the city by fast launch. The visitors will remain in Auckland until Thursday, when they will leave for Hamilton, beginning a journey that will take them to most parts of both islands?They will be guests at Government House, Wellington, over the Christmas and New Year period, and they wiii then spend some time at his Excellency’s summer camp. They will leave for Australia early in February.