REPLACEMENT PLAN

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 118, 21 May 1945, Page 6

REPLACEMENT PLAN

EXPEDITIONARY FORCE MEN SCHEME TO CONTINUE P.A. WELLINGTON, Sunday. The scheme for the replacement of all long service men- from the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force in Italy with men drawn from industry in New Zealand is to be continued, stated the Acting-Prime Minister, Mr. Nash. He added that this was in accordance with the policy announced by the Government last year. This policy has been carried out in the past and the First, Second and Third Echelons, together with the Fourth and Fifth Reinforcements—in all 16,000 men—had been brought home to New Zealand.

With the arrival in Egypt of the Fifteenth Reinforcements and the end of hostilities against Germany. Lieutenant - General Sir Bernard Freyberg, V.C., is now, subject to the provision of the necessary shipping, in a position to speed up the replacement scheme. Under the original plan it was considered that the Sixth Reinforcements would be withdrawn in June when the Fifteenth Reinforcements were available in the field, and the Seventh Reinforcements in September. It is now proposed, as soon as shipping can be provided, to bring the men of the Sixth Reinforcements home to New Zealand, while the men of the Seventh Reinforcements will follow as soon afterward as possible, perhaps even at the same time. The men of other reinforcement drafts will follow in their proper order and as the situation allows.

Mr. Nash said an announcement to this effect was being made to all the men of the division by Lieu-tenant-General Freyberg, who would at the same time explain that the question of the future employment of the division and our other forces in the war against Japan was under consideration by the Chiefs of Staff, whose report, when ready, would be submitted to the Prime Minister and the Government. Immediately this was available a decision would be made and a statement issued.