GOOD WORK IN DESERT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 January 1943, Page 2

GOOD WORK IN DESERT

DONE BY NEW ZEALAND PROVOST UNIT. GENERAL FREYBERG’S COMMENDATION. (Official War Correspondent, N.Z.E.F.) CAIRO, January 11. Appreciation of the work and operations of New Zealand’s divisional provost company in the battle of El-Ala-mein and in the campaign which followed, was expressed by LieutenantGeneral Freyberg when he addressed the personnel" of the unit just before the new phase of the operations on which the New Zealanders are now engaged. General Freyberg was accompanied on his inspection by Major E. W. Hayton, assistant Provost Marshal, Second N.Z.E.F. He congratulated Major Hayton and the officers.and n.c.o.’s of the provost company on the high standard of efficiency attained in the recent campaign. “All my commanders agree with me,” he said, “that the success of the two phases of the action and the subsequent movement of the division depended largely on two factors of vital importance —the work of our sappers in clearing gaps in the minefield defences for the advance of our forces, and the provost for lighting the way. Make no mistake about it — we arc proud of our provost and the work they do.” There would be work of an equally important nature in the impending operations, said General Freyberg. He expressed firm confidence in the successful accomplishment not only of that task, but of the whole objective.