MEN OF DEEDS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 March 1942, Page 4

MEN OF DEEDS

RATHER THAN OF WORDS General Wavell’s Tribute to Dutch MESSAGE ON HANDING OVER COMMAND NEW ADJUSTMENT TAKEN PHILOSOPHICALLY IN JAVA (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 12.45 p.m.) BANDOENG, March 3. General Wavell is succeeded by Lieutenant-General Ter Poorten. General Wavell was flown direct from Java to Colombo in a flying fortress on February 26. In a message to the Dutch people, General Wavell said. “I have received orders that, in view of recent developments, the command of the Allied forces in Java should be handed over to the Dutch commanders, who have in fact for some time been exerising it under my general direction. I hand over the command to them with confidence, knowing by experience their capabilities and skill in handling the forces at their disposal and their unshakeable resolution to do everything possible for the defence of Java. I have found them men of deeds rather than words and I have learned to appreciate the worth of everything they do. The Allied forces under their command will have every confidence in them. The change in command will not mean any cessation in the flow of aircraft and other war materials for the defence of Java. I would like to express, on behalf of myself, my troops and staff, our very grateful thanks for the most generous co-opera-tion we have received in every way from the Dutch authorities and people in the island, together with our admiration for their resolution and calmness in danger and adversity. I would send to the people of the Netherlands East Indies my most sincere wishes for a happy issue of the present struggle and for our final victory.” An Australian Associated Press correspondent says the Dutch appear to feel that the change in command is a logical development. This is their fight now and they are content to face the Japanese under the leadership of General Ter Poorten and Admiral Helfrich, in whom they have implicit confidence. Indeed they feel that the Japanese advance might have been delayed by sea action had Admiral Helfrich commanded the Allied fleet earlier. There are no indications that General Wavell greatly influenced the defence of the Indies. The Dutch had their plan cut and dried. It was merely to delay and destroy in the outer islands, with small garrisons, and keep the army intact on Java, which is fortified to the best of Dutch ability. General Wavell apparently did not change the plan, even in details.