DEFENCE OF GREECE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 April 1941, Page 6

DEFENCE OF GREECE

GENERAL FREYBERG’S SPECIAL ORDER CONFIDENCE IN NEW ZEALAND TROOPS. ADVICE ON BATTLE TACTICS. “The honour of the New Zealand Division is in your keeping,” said the officer commanding the Now Zealand Expeditionary Force overseas. MajorGeneral B. C. Frcyberg, in a special order read to the Now Zealand troops when on their way from Egypt to Greece. The order is dated March 11 and a copy of it has been received in the Dominion. The full text of (he order is as follows: —

"Before leaving Egypt for the battlefront. I had planned to say a last word to you. I find that events have moved quickly and I am prevented from doipg so. I therefore send this message to you in a sealed envelope to be opened on the transport after you have started on your journey. In the course of the next few days we may be fighting in defence of Greece, the birthplace of culture and of learning. We shall be meeting our real enemy, the Germans, who have set out with the avowed object of smashing the British Empire. It is clear, therefore, that, wherever we fight them we shall be fighting not only for Greece but also in defence of our own homes... ■ -

“A word to you about your enemy. The German soldier is a brave fighter, so do not under-estimate the difficulties that face us. On the other hand, remember that this time he is fighting with difficult communications, in country where he cannot use his strong armoured forces to their fullest advantage. Further, you should remember that your fathers of the First New Zealand Expeditionary Force defeated the Germans during the last war whenever they met them. "I am certain that in this campaign in Greece the Germans will be meeting mon who are fitter, stronger and better trained than they are. I have never soon troops that impressed me more. \You can shoot and you can march long distances without fatigue. By your resolute shooting and sniping, and by fierce patrolling by night you can tame any enemy you may encounter.

“A further word to you, many of whom, I realise, will be facing the ordeal of battle for the first time. Do not be caught unprepared. In war conditions will always be difficult, specially in the encounter battle; time will be against you, there will always be noise and confusion, orders may arrive late, nerves will be strained, you will be attacked from the air. All these factors and others must be expected on the field of battle. But you have been trained physically to endure long marches and fatigue and you must steel yourselves to overcome the ordeal of the modern battlefield.

“One last word. You will be fighting in a foreign land, and the eyes of many nations will be upon you. The honour of the New Zealand Division is in your keeping. It could not be in better hands.”