LOSSES SEVERE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 287, 4 December 1941, Page 8

LOSSES SEVERE

N.Z.E.F. IN LIBYA

FREYBERG'S REPORT

"FOUGHT MAGNIFICENTLY"

(0.C.) WELLINGTON, this day

The New Zealand Expeditionary Force losses in the recent fighting in Libya are described by MajorGeneral B. C. Freyberg, V.C., in a message to the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, as "severe."

"During the morning,"' said Mr. Fraser, early this afternoon, "I received a personal message from General Freyberg, sent from the battlefield yesterday. In this he informed me that the fighting in which the New Zealand forces have been engaged was severe, and I regret to say that he also described our losses as severe.

"He adds that some time must elapse before he can. obtain complete facts necessary for fuller reports. The reasons for this delay can, I am sure, be readily appreciated by the people of the Dominion, and I can assure them that reports will be released as soon as they come to hand.

"Another message has also been received from General Auchlinleck, the commander-in-chief, Middle East, who reports that the New Zealand brigades in the Sidi Rezegh and Tobruk areas fought magnificently and inflicted-very heavy losses on the enemy. The report of the capture of Brigadier Hargest is apparently correct, but th« brigade itself is still operating successfully in reorganised headquarters."

The Prime Minister also stated that advice had been received from Expeditionary Headquarters, Middle East, that Brigadier R. Miles was officially reported missing. The message added that, although no official confirmation of his capture was available, the report was accepted by headquarters as correct.