CRETE EVACUATION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 June 1941, Page 5

CRETE EVACUATION

NEWS FROM PRIME MINISTER RECEIVED BY MR NASH FEARS THAT CASUALTIES MUST BE HEAVY. PARLIAMENT TO MEET NEXT WEEK. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. This Day. liil'orinatioii concerning' 1 lie fighting in. Crete and the subsequent evacuation, of the island which had been obtained by the Prime Minister, Mr Eraser, was given by the, Acting-Prime -Minister, Air Xasli. in an address last night. Mr Nash spoke at. 7 o’clock, and the dispatch from Air Eraser containing this information had been received less than an hour before he began Io speak.

It was stated by Mr Fraser that he feared the casualties must be heavy. Most of the fit men and most of the walking wounded, the Prime Minister said, appeared to have been evacuated, but an unestimated proportion still remained in Crete.

Mr Nash said there could be little doubt that the defence of Crete had been a delaying rearguard action of the utmost value in relation to the greater struggle that lay ahead. It was announced by Mr Nash that he had arranged for Parliament'to meet today week, and that the House of Representatives would be given every opportunity to learn in as great detail as possible the facts in the possession of the Government. After outlining the facts of the campaign in Crete, Mr Nash continued:— MR FRASER'S MESSAGE. “The Dominion was fortunate in that we had the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, in Egypt watching conditions and assuring himself that everything was being done to defend the island. Less than an hour ago I received from him a cable setting out some of his observations gained as a result of his talks with General Freyberg and the others who have arrived in Egypt. “‘Last night,’ he says, ‘I returned after meeting General Freyberg and some .of the New Zealand ’ troops returning and returned from Crete. I found them all in great heart, whether wounded or fit, and convinced of their superiority man for man over the Germans, given equal weapons and equal air support.’

“Mr Fraser goes on to say: ‘I have had long exchanges with Admiral Cunningham and am entirely convinced that everything possible has been and is being done to facilitate evacuation and, indeed, that the greatest risks have been taken by the Navy with that object. Fighting was of the most intense description and, though the proportion of dead to wounded is reported to be low, we must, I fear,’ so he says, ‘expect heavy casualties. As soon as possible you will be advised of details as they become available, but you will understand that it will take some time to clear up the situation. Most of the fit men,’ he says, ‘and most of the walking wounded appear to have been evacuated, but an unestimated proportion still remains in Crete.’ “It is clear from Mr Fraser's account,” said Mr Nash, “that the complete air superiority of the Germans and the extraordinarily large aggregation of aircraft they brought to bear was one of the chief factors —it was the chief factor —in bringing about the present result.

“ ‘Our men faced continuous arrivals of troops jn troop-carrying aircraft which came in like trams at intervals of about five minutes,’ the Prime Minister continued, ‘and as further German troops arrived it became impossible to hold the situation and evacuation was the only course. The air attack appears to have been of an order of violence completely unprecedented. Nevertheless, the Germans undoubtedly lost a very large number of planes, and by far the greater part of their parachute division, and, indeed, experienced untold casualties all through. “NAVY BEYOND PRAISE.” “ ‘The Navy has. in my opinion, been beyond praise. Nothing could have been finer or more helpful,’ says Mr Fraser, ‘than the attitude throughout of Admiral Cunningham and his efforts to rescue our boys. We owe him a deep debt of gratitude. " ‘I feel,’ concluded the Prime Minister,’ ‘particularly in view of the highly adverse circumstances our men had to contend with against the most intense air attack that history has ever afforded, that they have done magnificently, and this view is shared by General Wavell and all the authorities here. All agree that the work of the Maoris has been outstanding.’ PARLIAMENT CALLED. “That covers Mr Fraser's message,” said Mr Nash. “I have arranged the calling of Parliament for Tuesday of next week, and the House will be given every opportunity to learn in as great detail as possible the facts in the possession of the Government. As far as the people of the Dominion are concerned every possible piece of information will be given to them immediately it reaches New Zealand. The only information or facts held back will be those which it would be advantageous to the enemy to know. There is nothing that should be known by our people that will not be told to them each day as it comes through. “One of the greatest episodes in the history of the Dominion is ending—our men, Maori and pakeha, have accomplished unprecedented feats. Facing the enemy they have never flinched, but difficulties of distance made it impossible to give the necessary support in the air and they have retired with laurels that will live forever. Those who have landed in Egypt are cheerful and in good heart. After rest and recuperation they will again stand in the ranks to defend our Commonwealth and our shores.

“Our sympathy goes out to all the wives, parents, relatives and friends of those who have fallen in the fight. To General Freyberg and his officers we extend our admiration for their amazing courage and enterprise. The work of the Navy under Admiral Cunningham, always hazardous, has been

trebly so in the past 14 days and to them we extend our heartfelt thanks. The courage of the men of the Navy who under bombardment from the air took in supplies and subsequently brought thousands of our men to safety has earned the undying admiration and gratitude of all our people. "The task ahead is still difficult,” concluded Mr Nash, “but if with quiet determination, conscious of the hazards. hardships and dangers, we devote ourselves individually and collectively to the task, we will win through."