ARRIVAL AT AUCKLAND

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 September 1943, Page 3

ARRIVAL AT AUCKLAND

AMERICAN WAR MISSION HEADED BY UNDER-SECRETARY. CAMPAIGN IN PACIFIC WILL BE, STEPPED UP. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, September 2. The most important American military mission which has visited the South and South-West Pacific, areas arrived in Auckland today. It is headed by the United States Under-Secretary for War, Judge Robert P. Patterson, and includes Lieutenant-General William S. Knudsen, Director of Production in the office of the Secretary of War. Mr Patterson said shortly afteij the mission’s arrival that he and his colleagues intended to see United States service men and military installations and hold consultations with the New Zealand Government and Service leaders. ♦ Other members of the mission are Major-General Leroy Lutes, Director of Operations. Headquarters Services of Supply in Washington, BrigadierGenera! Boykin Cabell Wright, of the International Division. Army Service Forces, Colonel,Stanley Joseph Grogan Deputy-Director of the War Department. Bureau of Public relations, Mr Julius H. Amberg. Special Assistant to the Secretary of War, Colonel Carl D. Silverthorne, Chief of the Pacific Theatre Section, Operations Division, War Department, General Staff, Washington. and Major Andrew J. Goodwin, a member of the Office of the Undersecretary for War. The mission came to New Zealand from Australia and was welcomed on arrival by the Minister of Defence, Mr Jones, the Minister-in-charge of War Co-ordination, Mr Perry, and senior officers of the United States and New Zealand Services.

“The campaign in the Pacific will be stepped up.”' said Mr Patterson in an interview. “Measures are now in hand which will result in greatly increased activity in You won’t have .Jong to wait now.” “I am here,” added Mr Patterson, “to sec United States Service men, to consult with your Government and service leaders and to study the prosperfect of increasing the ow of munitions to this area.” Asked whether this last intention included additional aid for New Zealand. Mr Patterson said he certainly intended to examine lendlease deliveries as well as to study the general flow of war materials to the combat areas. During his tour Mr Patterson had conferences with General MacArthur, and with Admiral Halsey. “I am very glad to be in New Zealand,” Mr Patterson said. “In Australia I was very favourably, impressed by the war effort, and I am sure. I will find New Zealand’s also is excellent. I recall seeing -New Zealand troops in France in the last war, and there were no finer troops anywhere. In this war they have magnificently kept up that reputation.”