"WILL BE MISSED"

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 95, 23 April 1945, Page 8

"WILL BE MISSED"

N.Z. MEN'S FINE RECORD TRIBUTE BY GENERAL P.A. WELLINGTON, Sunday. The following message was addressed by the Eighth Army Commander Lieutenant-General Sir Richard' McCreery, to long-service members of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force who returned to New Zealand recently:— "On the occasion of your return to New Zealand your comrades in the Eighth Army thank you for the splendid part you have played in the fighting record of the Eighth Army We wish you all the best of luck Mui God-speed. We remember your hardfought battles in the Western Desert, when our resources were still slender The Eighth Army was the only army fighting the Germans. "From the time of those early victories to your recent capture of Faenza, during an advance of 2000 miles, you have often been the spearhead of our famous Eighth Army. Every arm in the N.Z.E.F. has an equally high standard. Your veterans set that fine standard of fighting spirit, skill and determination, and it has been maintained. You leave at a time when we can look .forward to early complete victory over the Germans. You have all played a great part in this victory. We shall miss you. The Eighth Army will always remember you. All good luck." The acting-Prime Minister, Mr. Nash, said the tribute would be greatly appreciated by the officers and men themselves and by all New Zealanders. Some in the draft had seen service from the time the division was formed, while all had played their part fully with gallantry and distinction in the many operations the New Zealand Division had fought with the Eighth Army.