SICK AND WOUNDED.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 172, 3 May 1943, Page 2

SICK AND WOUNDED.

RETURN FROM MI'DDLE EAST

FREE FRENCH IN THE PARTY (P.A.) WELLINGTON, May 2. Thirty men of the Free French Forces, hardened lighters toughened by desert warfare, accompanied a party of sick and wounded who recently returned to New Zealand from the Middle East. They had seen stiff fighting at Bir el Hacheim. With the returned New Zealanders they were welcomed back by the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser), who met among the party, men who had been away with the Ist and 2nd Echelons, and had fought right up to the Battle of El Alamein. Two of the New Zealanders -actually got as far as Tripoli, from where one was flown back to Cairo in a troop-carrying aeroplane. “Just as we are putting all our resources into the war, in the same way they will be utilised to give you a start once more,” Mr Fraser assured the men. They had done their share, and he cordially welcomed them back on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand. He said they were proud of the fight being put up by their Free French allies in Tunisia, and he mentioned the bravery and wonderful exploits of the Maori soldiers. Mr W. Price (chairman of the Harbour Board), and Mr W. E. Leadley (Dominion organiser for tthe Soldiers’ Re-establishment League) also spoke. The Hon. W. Nash and Sir Harry Battterbee were present.