RECORD HUSTLE IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 231, 30 September 1942, Page 2

RECORD HUSTLE IN THE MIDDLE EAST

The new Commander-in-Chief in the Middle Fast, General Sir Harold Alexander, and the new commander of the Kighth Army, LieutenantGeneral Bernard Montgomery, have both been functioning for some days, cabled Clifford Webb from the Desert Battle Front to the London Daily Herald on August 19.

General Montgomery's change over from the leadership of the SouthEastern Command in Britain to head of the Desert Army must constitute something approaching a record for hustle.

After flying from England he stayed a very short while in Cairo.

I was on the spot when, looking brisk and businesslike in a bush shirt and shorts, he met General Freyberg, the New Zealand V.C.. who is now completely recovered from the wound he received in the El Alamein battle, and has been acting temporarily as Corps Commander in place of the late General "Strafer" Gott.

They talked over lunch, then both left for a conference with divisional and brigade commanders. General Auchinleck was there, too. "Mr. Bullfinch Arrives" Those who attended the conference describe General Montgomery as a live wire who will get things done.

Men of the Bth At my are still talking about the surprise they had when Mr. Churchill visited the battle front..

I talked to many of our soldiers just after they had seen the Premier pass by. Without exception they were at first dumbfounded, then as proud as Punch.

One Australian on guard duty near General Moreshead's battle headquarters told me:

"When Winston walked past me I thought at first it was another of tfriose mirages, but 1 got a whiff of his cigar and—well, can't smell a mirage."

An officer iiiud his unit had a signal in the early hrturs that Mr. Bullfinch would he visiting the front, but nobody had the faintest idea who Mr. Bullfinch would turn out to be.

General Moreshead told me Mr. Churchill wanted to £o farther forward, but was dissuaded with a firm "Sorry, sir, but it's too dangerous."

As it was the Premier missed an aerial dog fight at one point by only 10 minutes. General Auchinleck's Farewell In a farewell message to the Bth Army, General Auchinleck revealed that during the last two months Rommel lost 10.000 men in prisoners.

"It has been a great honour to hold direct command of the Sth Army for nearly two months, and it is with great personal regret that. 1 now leave you on the arrival of your new army commander," he said.

"During these weeks you have stopped the enemy, and, in spite of your heavy losses and inevitable disorganisation in consequence of the rapid withdrawal, have forced him on the defensive, taken 10.000 prisoners, and destroyed or captured many guns, vehicles and other equipment. "You will. I know, join me in acknowledging the great and glorious part our air forces have played in helping us to achieve these results. Without their aid the story would have been very different. "I thank you with all my heart for the magnificent way in which you have responded to the heavy calls I have made on you, and for your unfailing cheerfulness and tenacity in all circumstances.

"I wish you luck and a speedy and complete victory."