GRIM FIGHTING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 June 1943, Page 3

GRIM FIGHTING

IN IMMEDIATE PROSPECT

NEED OF INCREASED WAR EFFORT EMPHASISED BY GENERAL FREYBERG.. SUPPORT URGED FOR LIBERTY LOAN. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. This Day. A strong appeal for support to the Liberty Loan was made by LieutenantGeneral Sir Bernard Freyberg in an address last night. As a soldier, he said, he did not pretend to be able to discuss the loan from the economic aspect, but he realised the importance of saving money at the present moment and the vital need for money. He was most anxious to encourage the small investor and he was going to advise tthe men of the Second Nevy Zealand Expeditionary Force to cooperate. Stating that the whole resources of the country must be committed to the support of the war, General Freyberg said: "I am a little nervous about the present state of affairs because there is such a spirit of optimism abroad. I feel that people imagine that the Axis forces are disintegrating and that the war in Europe is now approaching the end. Though there is reason optimism I feel bound to sound a note of warning. The German army is still formidable and will require heavy punishment before it collapses.”

NEW FRONT AND NEW NEEDS. Grim fighting lay ahead, continued General Freyberg. Those who could not fight must use their labour and lend their money to produce the munitions 'of war. The next battles wotud be on a large scale. Great quantities of equipment would be required for the Eastern front in Russia and for the new front or fronts in Europe. The efforts of the United Nations must be increased to defeat both the Axis and Japan. "For the moment we are favourably situated regarding equipment, but equipment is never good enough,” said General Freyberg. “You can never be sure that the best today will be the best tomorrow. Who knows what will be produced by the German armament factories tomorrow.” Referring to the Battle of Britain General Freyherg said he was glad that New Zealanders were in England., that they stood on the shores of-the Channel ready to defend the Old Country if she were attacked. He knew that their presence with Canadians and Australians was a great comfort to the British people. When he passed through England three weeks ago a wonderful change had taken place since 1940, when he saw Britain in the days of her grave peri). Today Britain was an armed camp, and equipment of ail kinds was to be seen. “This is the first anniversary of the battle of Minqar Qaim, the New Zealand Division’s first engagement after its dash from Syria,” General Freyberg observed. “On June 26 we took up a defensive position south of Mersa Matruh. Next morning Rommel’s army bumped into us and stopped. Five separate attacks by tanks and infantry were repulsed with heavy loss and it must have been a shock to the enemy to find a fresh division barring his advance. By nightfall the New Zealanders were surrounded, but intact. Receiving orders to withdraw to El Alamein they smashed their way through with a silent bayonet attack. The transport taking a different route to avoid enemy fire, ran into the 21st Panzer Division, but dashed through at full speed. The battle of Minqar Qaim will always be a memorable one for us because it stopped Rommel’s advanced on Alexandria for a vital 24 hours and it was the first time that unarmoured vehicles had carried out a charge.”