RETURN TO N.Z.

A PROUD GENERAL

DIVISION IN EGYPT

"I am very touched by the warmhearted welcome I have receive , knowing that it comes as a ti bute to your wonderful division, which I have had the honour to command for three and a half yeais. Ihese were among the first words spoke vesterday afternoon by Lieutenant General Sir Bernard Freyberg V.C., Kd B C.M.G., D.S.O.^Commander-in-Ghief, Second N.Z.n-F.,, whenhe touched down at an all 'P°it necU Auckland after a long and arduous journey from the Middle East Shortly after two o clock the official reception party arrived and almost at exactly 3 p.m. a giant Liberator bomber bearing the white star of the American Air Forces touched down to a perfect landing and taxied to its hangar. First to serine from the machine was General Freyberg, smartly uniformed, fr(3shcomplexioned, amazingly agile after years of tense campaigning and hardship, and showing a scar several inches long on the right side of his neck from his latest wound. Air-Commodore M. W. Buckley, M.8.E., A.D.C. to his Excellency the Governor-General, and the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, were first to greet the general, followed by the Minister of Finance, Mr. Walter iNash, and Commander Rotheram, D.5.0., R.N. The general was then warmly greeted by LieutenantGeneral E. Puttick, General Officer Commanding the New Zealand. Military Forces, Major-General P. H. Bell, D.5.0., Commanding the Northern Military District, Major-General I-I. E Barrowclough, D.5.0., M.C., General Officer Commanding the Third Division, Avhile also in attendance was Colonel C. W Salmon, D.C.M., N.Z.T.S. Staff representative with United Nations.

Family Reunion Observing a small group close by, the general recognised and greeted his brother, Captain Cuthbert Freyberg, adjutant N.M.D. school of instruction, . and a warm family reunion was witnessed as Mrs. Freyberg met her brother-in-law, while Leading-Aircraftman Peter Freyberg, smartly saluting, and Master Peter Freyberg, were cordially greeted by their illustrious uncle. The Mayor of Auckland. Mr. J. A. C. Allum, accompanied by Mr J. Melling, town clerk, Mrs. M. M. Dreaver, and Messrs. A. S. Richards, W. T. Anderton, and A. G. Osborne, MP.'s, were next presented, as were Captain S. D. Jupp, senior officer commanding the American forces, and high officers of the American Army. "Now you must meet the Waafs, General,'' said the Prime Minister with a smile. "Certainly," replied Sir Bernard as he walked over to a number of the women of the air force and shook hands with all present. He was also presented to waiting airmen and ground staff under Group-Captain G. N. Roberts, A.F.C., officer commanding the station.

A sound film was then made by the Government cinema service of the gerreral, who remarked that the circumstances under which they met were vastly different from those under which the last met the Prime Minister. That was in June, 1941, when the remnants of the Second N.Z.E.F. were arriving back in Egypt from Crete. "Since then a great deal has happened," said Sir Bernard. "We have now air superiority, adequate equipment and have shown that, as far as your division is concerned, it is second to none.

Division Resting in Cairo

"The division is at present back from Tunisia enjoying a well-earned rest in Cairo. The men are in great heart. I saw every unit before I came away and they have sent their people here in New Zealand their fondest greetings. I thank you on behalf of the Second N.Z.E.F. for this very touching welcome to me."

With General Freyberg was Captain J. C. White, M.8.E., personal A.D.C., who has been with the general for three and a half years. Captain White was more than surprised when, on alighting from the plane, he was met by his father, Mr. C. G. White, of Wellington.

The official party were the guests of the R.N.Z.A.F. at ,the officers' mess for afternoon tea before proceeding to the Station Hotel, where the genei*l and the Ministers are staying.