MR CHURCHILL IN DESERT

Southland Times, Issue 24834, 28 August 1942, Page 5

MR CHURCHILL IN DESERT

MEETING WITH NEW ZEALANDERS (Official War Correspondent) CAIRO, August 25. Mr Churchill gave generous and inspiring praise to a representative gathering of New’ Zealanders whom he met on his second visit to the El Alamein battlefront. He tild them that they had played a magnificent part in stemming the British retreat in Egypt. Covered from head to foot with the fine dust of the Western Desert and wearing his familiar grey-blue “boiler-suit,” Mr Churchill gathered the New Zealanders about him to give them an intimate talk. After referring to the part the New Zealanders had played in the Middle East Mr Churchill said: “When the great days come—as come they will—we shall never forget your valiant service. Not long ago I heard someone in England say that New Zealand fighting men are ‘balls of fire.’ That description was given by someone who has had a great opportunity of assessing your worth. I am happy to be with you here, more particularly as your commander is a very old friend of mine, a friend of long standing.” Lieutenant-General Freyberg called for cheers and a full-throated roar came from the New Zealanders. Then Mr Churchill went to the lunch tent at headquarters. Those who lunched with him included General Freyberg, who sat on his immediate right, Brigadier G. H. Clifton, D. 5.0., M.C., commander of the 6th Brigade, Colonel P. A. Ardagh, Assistant Director of Medical Services, New Zealand Forces, LieutenantColonel A. E. Hillier, A.Q., and Brigadier S. Weir, commander of the divisional artillery. The lunch consisted of oyster soup prepared by General Freyberg’s batman, Lance-Corporal T. Hill, of Hamilton, bully-beef, tinned green peas, potatoes, tomatoes with mayonnaise and stewed apples. There were no speeches, but conversation was brisk throughout the lunch, Mr Churchill addressed General Freyberg as “Bemey" or “Bernard.”