ANZAC DAY MESSAGES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 169, 29 April 1943, Page 4

ANZAC DAY MESSAGES.

N.Z. DIVISION IN BATTLE (Official War Correspondent N.Z.E.F.) ALGIERS, April 24. For the second time in this war, New Zealaders are fighting on Anzac Day. Two years ago the German attack on the New Zealanders’ Thermo-

pylae line m Greece had begun, fvow, on his year’s anniversary of the landing on Gallipoli, many of the same, troops are fighting with the Bth Army .in what may be the final battle for Africa. Overhead they are watched by scores of New Zealand and Australian airmen flying in Australian Air Force and Royal Air Force fighter and bomber squadrons. Tliis first announcement that the New Zealanders are . again in the Bth Army’s line was made in conjunction K'isiiA rvl- ivmci

sages of commemoration and of praise of our forces in this war by Lieuten-ant-General Sir Bernard Freyberg, V.C., General D. D. Eisenhower, and Air Marshal Sir Arthur Ooningham. General Eisenhower’s message said: “On the twenty-eighth anniversary of the landing on Gallipoli, I send my heartiest congratulations to the men! of New Zealand and Australia in. the Allied forces. Many ' of you are sons of Anzacs of the last war, and are now fighting in North. Africa for the same principles of justice and liberty. This is the fourth Anzac Day that has been coinmemorated on the battlefield in this war. In these four years the Australians and New Zealanders, whether

fighting with the ground forces or the air forces, have taught the enemy to fear and respect their prowess. This is the first time I Have had the honour to serve with troops from your part of the world, and as long as I. may he entrusted with this command I shall be proud to have New Zealand and Australian troops fighting with me.” "New Zealand airmen in the Mediterranean area have shown up in. a splendid manner the magnificent fighting traditions of all .the New- Zealand forces during this war,” Air Marshal Coninghain wrote at the field headquarters from which he is directing the tremendous air offensive with our advances on’ land. “As a New Zealander of the Mounted Rifles in Egypt 28 years ago, it. has given me special pride and pleasure to join with our airmen! helping your incomparable

division since nara ngnting started in North Africa in November, 1941. 1 join General Frey berg, who is a fellow Wellingtonian, in paying homage to our fighting men, sailors, soldiers, and airmen, but even more warmly do I thank and bless the people of New Zealand for producing such warriors. “We are on: the verge of a. greatvictory, which will see this continent clear of the enemy. In. the fulfilment of this task the’ Now Zealand Division has led on the ground l while New Zealand airmen watched over them. It is a proud record for a proud, gallant, small country. The sacrifice of life and treasure has been heavy, and we mourn with those who have lost, but such is the price of glorious traditions, which will always live. We are better than the Germans, and we and they know it; so on to final victory.”