OVERSEAS FORCES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 11, 13 January 1940, Page 14

OVERSEAS FORCES.

STEADY REINFORCEMENTS. COLONEL PUTTICK STRESSES NEED. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Friday. "On relinquishing tlie of Officer Commanding the Central Military. District, 'I wish to express to all. ranks under my command my appreciation 6i the loyal and efficient service given during the past year, .and particularly. siri?e the outbreak of the'war," states C6lonel E. Pnttick, D.S.O.i 'N.Z.S.C., in la' farewell to his command. , . "Despite the handicaps of shortage of staff, numerous changes in "personnel, and 'last-minute'.- alterations to '/prepared plans, the mobilisation of ,1111 its, preparations of camps, and the heavy, anil complicated work involved in "the formation and trainingt'of the /Special Forcei have been completed' smpothly- and effi ' ciently, .through the devotion -to duty and' ability of the regular -and the officers and other ranks of . the Territorial forces who have responded. very ably to the demands made on them.:', . - "We cannot all proceed on actiye/s.ervice the outbreak of; war, and those whose duties' require theni'for the present to remain in New"Zealait'd. are reminded that the. efficiency.'o.f " the' overseas forces is dependent upqnj\the dispatch of 'succeeding echelonshto)'com-" plete the division and of reinforcements to maintain the unity' at war establishment." , ' ■'"hh"''