NEW ZEALAND TROOPS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 April 1943, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND TROOPS

IN BATTLE AGAIN ON ANZAC DAV MESSAGES FROM ALLIED COMMANDERS. HOMAGE TO LAND AND AIR FORCES. (Official War Correspondent, N.Z.E.F.) ALGIERS, April 26. For the second time in this war the New Zealanders were fighting on Anzac Day. Two years ago. the German attack on the New Zealanders at Thermopylae, in Greece, had begun. .On this year’s anniversary many of the' same troops were fighting in the Eighth Army. Overhead they were watched by scores of New Zealand and Australian airmen flying in the Australian Air Force and R.A.F. fighterbomber squadrons. This, the first announcement that the New Zealanders are again in the Eighth Army’s lines, was made in conjunction with the issue of special written messages of commemoration and of praise of our forces in this war by Lieutenant-General Freyberg, General Eisenhower, and Air Marshal Coningham. Generay Freyberg’s message has already been published. General Eisenhower stated: “On the 28th anniversary of the landing in Gallipoli I send heartiest congratulations to the men of New Zealand and Australia in the Allied forces. Many of you are sons of the Anzacs of the last war and are now fighting in North Africa for the same principles of justice and liberty. This is the fourth Anzac Day that has been commemorated on the battlefield in this war. In these four years Australians and New Zealanders, whether fighting with the ground forces or the air forces, have taught the enemy to fear and respect their prowess. “This is the first time I have had the honour to serve with troops from your part of the world, and as long as I may be entrusted with this command, I shall be proud to have New Zealand >

and Australian troops fighting with me.”

“The New Zealand airmen in the Mediterranean area have shown in a splendid manner the magnificent fighting traditions of all New Zealand forces during this war.” wrote Air Marshal Coningham at the field headquarters from which he is directing the. tremendous ail’ offensive. “As a New Zealander of the Mounted Rifles in Egypt 28 years ago, it has given me special pride and pleasure to join with our airmen in helping our incomparable division since the hard fighting started in North Africa in November, 1941.

“I join General Freyberg, who is a fellow Wellingtonian, in paying homage to our fighting men, sailors, soldiers, and airmen; but even more warmly do I thank and bless the people of New Zealand for producing such warriors.

‘We are on the verge of a great victory which will see the continent clear of the enemy. In fulfilment of this task the New Zealand airmen have watched over them.

“It is a proud record for a proud and gallant small country. The sacrifice of life and treasure has been heavy, and we mourn with those who have lost; but such is the price of the glorious traditions which will always live. We are better than the Germans, and we and they know it; so on to final victory!”