MAORI TROOPS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 January 1943, Page 4

MAORI TROOPS

FIRST NEW ZEALANDERS TO ENTER TRIPOLI OTHERS FOLLOW CLOSELY. CONTRASTS TO CAMPAIGNING IN DESERT. (Official War Correspondent, N.Z.E.F.) TRIPOLI, January 23. • Tripoli at last. A little more than an hour ago—it is now 3 o’clock in the afternoon—our most forward troops, a company of Maoris, reached the outskirts of the city, followed closely by other New Zealand forces. They were the first Dominion troops of occupation in Tripoli. They will be camped among trees and other green surroundings most welcome to the eye after weeks of the weary desert journey from El Alamein. This morning when we set out along a bitumen road from a position a few miles south of Azizia, it was with a feeling of expectancy of at last something better than a vast desert waste ahead. The way was clear and the speed increased till our columns were rumbling along merrily at a good 30 miles an hour. There were no bumps and no dust, only a chilly wind to cause discomfort. We saw positions where the enemy had made his final stand last night, but the pace of our advance assured us that the way to Tripoli must be open. This was true, and soon we were exchanging greetings with smiling natives. Italian civilians gathered in small groups on the roadside. Sonie waved or saluted and none seemed greatly perturbed. The country was still sandy 20 miles from Tripoli, bpS there were olive and gum trees. TheN lunch fires had been lighted by troops on the roadside with gum-tree branches and the smoke wafted across the road was like a breath from home. Then the first kilo stones appeared with Tripoli named. SOLDIERS GREET GENERAL.

In a small village about 10 miles from the city, Lieutenant-General Freyberg stood on the roadside. He was saluted by his men as they passed. Some did not salute. They waved, and their waves were returned. There was nothing ceremonial about it —the general had about him a gathering of awed natives. The men welcomed the sight of the leader who had brought them to the goal which they had had in mind for so long. There was many a handshake at the gates of Azizia, still a few miles from the heart of the city. Maoris in Bren carriers were strung along the roadway. Apparently unconcerned natives went about their strange ways, while Italians stood about mostly in groups, interested but seemingly not alarmed. There was the sound of a distant explosion, bringing from a Maori the remark, “I hope they have not blown up the brewery.” Now some of our troops are. about to move into the city. They will find Tripoli slightly scarred by bombing, but most of the fine buildings of the European quarter are intact. Many of the harbour installations have been destroyed, and there are sunken or half-sunken ships, but the waterfront is still beautiful. The Italians appear quite willing to be friendly. All the shops are shut—perhaps they have nothing to sell—but already there are increasing signs of civilian activity. It seems that Tripoli will be no. disap- ; pointment to the New Zealanders.