BEEHIVE "BOMB"

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 211, 6 September 1941, Page 8

BEEHIVE "BOMB"

CRETAN INGENUITY

GENERAL'S STORY

PACIFIC CONSULTATIONS

In an interview this morning concerning the military position in the Pacific and other items of national importance Major-General E. Puttick. D.5.0.. formerly second fn command of the New Zealand Division overseas and leader of the heroic rearguard covering the evacuation from Greece, told a story which illustrates that even modern warfare is not without its humorous aspects.

It is a story of war as Walt Disney or some equally talented cartoonist might picture it. It shows, however, that individual ingenuity can meet the circumstances as thev arise.

A village in Crete is the locale of the incident and the principal characters a group of Cretan soldiers, a Cretan boy and a party of German invaders who had taken up a strategic position in a house from which they could not be dislodged easily.

One of the Cretans had a bright idea. A boy was instructed and equipped, brought up to an uncovered part of the house and assisted to the roof. He made his way silently to the chimney and dropped down it—a beehive! It proved a most effective "bomb," and the Germans evacuated the position.

"Sonic Interesting Awards" Apart from the general comment he made yesterday regarding the gallant conduct of the New Zealanders under fire and their eagerness to have •'another go" at the enemy, General Puttick had little to say regarding the happenings in Greece and Crete. Nor would he discuss his own adventures in those campaigns.

He admitted, however, that there had been many outstanding incidents of personal gallantry among the New Zealanders and a great number of recommendations for recognition by decoration. As the number of awards would be severely rationed, so as not to cheapen them, those that were given would be for really distinguished service.

"There will be some very interesting awards." he said, but he refused to discuss any of the exploits as he thought the persons concerned would be recognised and he did not wish to forestall the official citations.

On his way to New Zealand, where he is taking over the post of Chief of the General Staff, General Puttick took part in several consultations regarding the defence of the Pacific and the situation theue. These conferences were "highly secret," he said, and he would be making his report on them directly to the Government. Any announcement regarding them would be made by the Prime Minister.

New Zealand Training Satisfactory As he had been away from New Zealand for a long time he would not suggest any changes in training methods that he might be likely to make in view of his experience overseas. As far as he could judge the training here was most satisfactory and the troops who were arriving in the Middle East were proving excellent material.

The officer training system was working well, with a certain percentage being "trained here an<4 others being appointed from the ranks overseas. Officers .who went forward from New Zealand were given a further training course in Egypt and then posted to the forces as they were required.

The authorities in New Zealand were being supplied with full information based on knowledge of actual warfare conditions and requirements and from time to time officers would be sent back to New Zealand to pass on the benefit of their overseas experience.