GENERAL FREYBERG

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 July 1943, Page 3

GENERAL FREYBERG

VISITING AUSTRALIA TALKS WITH ALLIED LEADERS. VIEWS ON THE INVASION OF SICILY. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright CANBERRA, July 11. Just as intensive bombing played a major role in the battle of Tunisia, so the bombing of Sicily would provide an important contribution toward the final result. This opinion was expressed today by Lieutenant-General Freyberg, who is visiting Australia unofficially. General Freyberg, who during the interview was accompanied by- Mr C. A. Berendsen, New Zealand High Commissioner, said he thought that in spite of the poor showing by the Italians up to the present, they would defend their own country strongly. During his visit, General Freyberg will take the opportunity to confer with General Blarney, Commander of the Allied land forces in the SouthWest Pacific, and other Allied leaders on developments of the war in the Pacific. General Freyberg said that the association of the New Zealand Division with the A.I.F. had rekindled the Anzac spirit. During the few hours he spent in Sydney, General Freyberg was entertained at an informal gathering by New Zealand returned soldiers. ' General Freyberg left Auckland on Sunday for Sydney. In a message relative to the general’s visit, the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, said his discussions with the War Cabinet were most valuable. They related to the work of the Division, and its future role. The enthusiastic welcomes extended to General Freyberg indicated the regard in which people held him, and it was abundantly clear that the people had the same confidence in the general as the War Cabinet had. “I can truly say,” said Mr Fraser, “that New Zealand today is more solid and more determined than ever in the Dominion's history.”