HIGHEST PRAISE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 92, 19 April 1945, Page 5

HIGHEST PRAISE

TROOPS IN BURMA Never Forgotten Army Says Churchill Rec. 1 p.m. -.: RUGBY, April 18; Dealing with the question of theimprovement of the welfare of troops in India and South-east Asia, Mr.. Churchill, in the House of Common's, mentioned that following Lord Minister's report last December he had appointed Lieutenant-General'. King as his personal representative fpr welfare matters. General King had now returned after a three months' visit and submitted his report, stating that the morale of the British servicemen in those theatres was of the highest quality and was unsurpassed anywhere. The success of the campaign was in itself the best evidence of their spirit, which had enabled them to triumph over a dangerous enemy and difficult natural obstacles. Regarding accommodation in transit and leave camps, and static camps such as R.A.F. and naval air stations, great strides had been made in the past year or so, and, with the exception of some items of special equipment, the general standard of comfort was reasonable, and in many . camps bore comparison: , with camps in ' this country and American camps in India. Eight new leave camps were under construction. With regard to food and drink for servicemen in Burma a greater variety was being introduced into the rations and improvements were being effected in cooking. ..Mr,...Churchill .added: "These gallant ahei devoted men have achieved; under conditions far less satisfactory than they were led to expect, insofar as reinforcements were concerned, objectives greater than those prescribed on the basis of reinforcements. This is a great and a glorious army. The forces serving in India, 'Burma' , and ,, the Far East were never the'forgotten army. The valour and endurance they have displayed, and the- victories they have won and- are winning will keep thQtn ever' present in our minds, and the minds of the general public."-