NEW COMMANDER

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 248, 1 August 1941, Page 6

NEW COMMANDER

THE FORCES IN NEW ZEALAND. BRIGADIER PUTTICK APPOINTED. SERVICE IN TWO WARS. (P.A.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The appointment of Brigadier Edward Puttick as Chief of the General Staff in succession to Major-General >- u ’ John Duigan Was announced to-day by the Minister id Defence (the Hon. . Jones). . , ~ “In appointing Brigadier Puttick, said the Minister, “the (Government has selected the most outstanding officer of the New Zealand regu ar forces, with an excellent record in two wars. Ho. lias filled a number of administrative Army posts here m Now Zealand and his training includes an Imperial Defence college course in London.” . . . - , Mr Jones added that since leaving the Dominion in command of the First Echelon Brigadier Puttick had played a notable part in building up the New Zealand Expeditionary Force to its present high standard of quality and performance, and he had been spoken of in the highest terms by Major-Gen-eral Freyberg, V.C., as 'commander of the Fourth Brigade of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. He lought wit distinction in the engagements on Mount Olympus, while the final rearguard action of the Fourth Brigade near Marathon had been described as an achievement worthy of the highest) traditions of the British Army. When General Freyberg was placed in temporary command of the Allied fmceS in Crete Brigadier Puttick assitnied temporary command of the New Zealand forces serving there. . The Minister said that Brigadier Puttick’s experiences in Greece and. Crete would be invaluable in bringing the training in New Zealand into line with the latest overseas needs and practice and demand. He was. sure the appointment of a New Zealand officei would he popular both ni military circles and with the public. Brigadier Puttick will leave for Neif Zealand almost immediately.