N.Z. TROOPS IN ENGLAND

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23053, 22 June 1940, Page 11

N.Z. TROOPS IN ENGLAND

Spontaneous and Heartfelt "Welcome MEN ENTER CAMP FOR FINAL TRAINING (UNITED MESS ASSOCIATION'—COPYRIGHT.) (Received June 21, 12.15 p.m.) LONDON, June 20. The special representative of the Australian Associated Press at a port in Britain states that a contingent of New Zealanders, commanded by Colonel J. Hargest, and Australians, commanded by . Brigadier H. D. Wynter, arrived safely after a voyage round the Cape. The troops, who are in great heart, were given a spontaneous, heartfelt welcome for their timely arrival. They were the first of the new Anzacs to land , on British soil, and are now encamped in England for , their final training. As the armada of ships in which they crossed the world to the war steamed into port, . an official launch bearing messages from His Majesty the King, Mr R. A. Eden (the Secretary of State for War), and the Dominions Office slipped out and received a thunderous welcome from thousands of ; Anzacs lining the raite and strung up the rigging to the masthead. ‘ They were all there, diggers with the familiar slouch hats, and the badge of the rising sun. New Zealanders in their own distinctive uniforms, Maoris smiling broadly, and here and there a splash of red and white of the Dominion nurses. It was good to see them. . The cry “The Anzacs are here !”swept quickly round the port, and shouts and the British “ thumbs up ” sign greeted the ships as they rounded the headland.

The tired troops were glad to reach their camp five miles away, after marching in full kit after a 16-hour train journey. In camp, under cool pines, they found' roast beef and boiled and baked potatoes and beans awaiting them. A medical officer from "Wanganui said: “All are in the best possible health and are extremely fit after the voyage. They have got a camp with floor boarding and palliasses, much better than the British Expeditionary Force had.” An Auckland man, commenting on the voyage, said: “We had a grand trip; just like being at home. £he ship hardly rocked. We had a fine time. It was grand to see England, which looks a great country.” The Maoris caused the greatest interest; their unfamiliar, swarthy faces attracting much attention- Throughout the voyage the members of a Maori concert party established a great reputation. Several New Zealanders brought musical Instruments, one proceeding to camp carrying a concertina, but another, more cunning, sent his in a baggage van. , , , ~ • It will be" several days before all the New Zealanders arrive. .Their good reputation of the last war is still remembered, and assures New Zealanders of a welcome on all sides. Smiles, cheering, and hand-waves greeted the New Zealanders on arrival at" their camp, which is not in the same place as the Australians," but Where the-peaked hats of the Antitank Battery have been familiar throughout tWe winter. The troops are under canvas, under a pine-tree-ringed camp which the. British Expeditionary Force recently occupied after the withdrawal from Dunkirk. The Maoris arrived at 4 a.m.. after which successive troop trains followed throughout the day. the men marching to camp to the strains of Royal Artillery and other bands-and the cheers and smiles of women and children.^ A British sergeant-maior said: “They are as good as our Guardsmen th“ wdty- they slope arms and march off.” ' ‘ Reserves of Strength The nevfrs of the arrival of the Australian and New Zealand troops in Britain has been greeted by the public with special enthusiasm as providing at this moment a symbol of the reserves of strength which lie behind Britain’s determined resistance to the ambitions of totalitarian regimes to dominate the world. Before disembarkation the contingents were visited on board ship by the First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr A. V. Alexander). The New Zealand and Australian troops came in one of the largest single convoys ever to enter the port, accompanied by a naval escort. _The first ship was one of the New Zealand transports, and shouts of “Haeremai” rolled across the water. Then came a tall ship with an inscription chalked on its- side. “A.I.F. Aussies. Beware, Hitler.” The Australians were shouting: “Hitler, here we come.” There were other ships astern, all with the same exuberant spirit. The official party, headed by Mr Geoffrey Shakespeare. Under-Secretary of State for the Dominions, a group of Australian officers from Palestine, and a New Zealand brigadier, went aboard each transport in turn. The troops besieged them for news from home and France, and then assembled for the official welcome. : Tender after tender later brought the Anzacs ashore to waiting trains. The disembarkation was carried out smoothly. There was no official announcement of their presence until they , were safely encamped, but tki Anzacs exuberantly announced their owp arrival as they sang their way through Britain and waved their familiar hats. - The Maori Battalion was the first of the New Zealanders ashore. Their appearance and bearing made a profound impression. The Maoris were singing their own battalion song, composed by a member on their departure from New Zealand. They came ashore in full fighting kit. The New Zealanders, more serious than the Australians, disembarked in a most orderly fashion. The Australians were singing riotously: ‘Roll Out the Barrel,” “Kiss Me Good-night. Ser-geant-Major” —then, .to the delight of the onlookers. “Waltzing Matilda.” As the troop trains passed through the populated areas, every window and door was crowded with waving, cheer, ing civilians. ' The troops are now encamped. Hour after hour they poured into their separate camps in a part of England their fathers knew so well. The senior officers enthusiastically praised the rapiditv with which the British military officials hhd prepared the camps. It 'was all fashioned within a fortnight. Hot and cold running water is installed and dry and wet canteens have been established. Intensive trainin" will start in two or three day<=. “We are here to fight and we don’t mind where.” is the way they approach the war. The Australian representative of the Associated Press with the troons > states: “Tins message I would send to their relatives in Australia and New Zealand—the boys are in splendid shape. They are eager and ready to set thei- training done and get into battle. They like this c<" untry: th°y are well quartered, and they are determined not to-let down you or their comrades.”

ANNOUNCEMENT OF ARRIVAL

King’s Message Of Welcome TROOPS IN HIGH SPIRITS (BBITISH . OFFICIAL W LEELESS.) (Received June 21,10.20 a.m.) ■ . RUGBY, June 20/ e The War Office announced early this afternoon: “Largs contingents " of the Australian Imperial Force and the New Zealand Expeditionary Force which left these Ddmin- ; ions in May, have disembarked at... a port in Britain and; are proceed- ' ing to their, concentration areas. The troops are reported to be all . , well and In high spirits.” The following message from the King was given to the" officers commanding the Australian and New Zealand contingents on. their arrival In Britain: “A few months ago I sent some words of welcome to the first contingents of the 2nd Australian Imperial: Force -and the New Zealand Expeditionary Force when they disembarked in the Middle East. It has fallen to your lot to come to Britain itself, and as yon take yonr place beside us, you will find us in the forefront of the battle. To all I give . ' a warm welcome. Knowing the 1 stern purpose that brings yon from your distant homes I send you my best wishes. I look - forward to visiting you scon.” The Secretary of State for War (Mr R. A. Eden) sent a message “on behalf of all ranks of the Army m this country.” In it, Mr Eden said: “You come at a timely hour. The enemy has thrown his weight into the onslaught and the cause of free nations needs every measure of support that can be given. Doubly welcome then is your presence at this moment and doubly glad I know you are to be here. Witn Australia and New Zealand represented in two theatres of war. with Canada and South Africa taking their full part, we can now present to the enemy a truly Imperial front, a front which, as he has learned from past experience, has never been and never will be broken by him. However stem the struggle, we are confident that victory will finally crown our" arms.” The Under-Secretary of State for the Dominions (Mr Geoffrey Shakespeare), addressing the men on behalf of the Dominions Office, said: “I am proud to be the first Government representative to welcome you in the name of all the people of Britain. There will be a thrill in every heart and every home in this country when it is learned that you have arrived safely. I am grateful to the Royal Navy for delivering its precious cargo from the ends of the earth safely home. “You have come to cur aid at a most momentous time. Civilisation and. our priceless heritage, freedom, are at stake. France is sorely wounded, but the fight for freedom will go on. Twenty-five years ago your fathers and some of you stood with us in the fields of France and clung to the heights of Anzac. Those names will be remembered wherever the story of brave deeds is told. Some months ago there came a welcome _ call, "The Navy’s here’ to men imprisoned in a Nazi ship, so to-day. In freedom’s hour of peril, the cry will go up. ‘The Australians and New Zealanders are here.* I wish you all godspeed.” Brigadier N. S. Falla, on behalf of the High Commissioner (Mr W. J. Jordan), said: "To all we extend a hearty welcome. The New Zealanders made a name in the last war. and I am confident that you will make a still better name this time. Your job is a big one. We are all confident in you. The situation is bad. but I know that New Zealanders fight best when two tries are scored against them. I send best wishes to all New Zealanders here.” Brigadier R. Miles. Officer Commanding the New Zealand troops in Britain, sneaking on behalf of MajorGeneral Freyberg. said: “Major-Gen-eral Frcyberg is still iri Egypt looking t after things there. He sends greetings and hones soon to be here. You must get down to hard work, because the test may come soon. The situation will not daunt us. We-must stick it. out. The . Hun: fights the samp- way. With new tactics it requires backbone, initiative. and rcfOU~ce to meet him. I know you’ve got that.” - , , Colonel J. Hargest briefly repled. “We are glad to be here. We would rather be here than anywhere else m the world. We enter this fight (boots and all,” he declared. i