GENERAL'S PRAISE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 178, 29 July 1944, Page 7

GENERAL'S PRAISE

TROOPS IN PACIFIC CLOSE FIGHTING

The opinion that, both in the jungle and out of it, the New Zealand soldier was superior to the Japanese is held by Major-General H. E. Barrowclough, D.5.0., M.C., general officer commanding the Third Division, Second N.Z.E.F. in the Pacific. On the occasions when the New Zealanders had met Japanese forces of equal strength, the Dominion troops had always killed off the enemy, though at times there had been some anxious moments, he said in an interview.

General Barrowclough, who has been visiting New Zealand on official business, said it would be incorrect to think that the division had been engaged in operations which required bitter fighting by the whole force at the one time. The fighting had been carried out in small groups assigned to various tasks, and these groups had been engaged in fierce combat at close quarters. In view of the awagds which had been announced yesterday he considered it appropriate for him to express to all ranks of the division his deep gratitude for the manner in which they had carried out their tasks.

. While operations and training in! the Islands had been strenuous, continuous and monotonous, the men had given faithful and cheerful service. In the fighting in which they had taken part, all the officers and men had done exceedingly well. Following three months' training in New Zealand and nine months in New Caledonia, the division had been well fitted for the tasks given to it. Much attention had been given to training in amphibious operations. Referring to malaria control, General Barrowclough said that as the result of medical assistance given to the division and the co-operation of all ranks in observing what were often unpleasant duties, the wastage rate from the disease had been kept ! down to an extraordinarily low percentage during the 10 months troops were in malarial areas.

Tribute to the work done by the women attached to the division wa, also paid by General BarroWclcmgn The Waacs had had frequently to carry out • tasks which in Egypt would have been assigned to natives, and they had done'these cheerfully. He also referred to the United States forces, saying that on occasions when the Americans came under command of the division the relationship was always excellent. The United States Command had shown co-operation and help.