SYDNEY WELCOME TO A.I.F.

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23746, 18 September 1942, Page 3

SYDNEY WELCOME TO A.I.F.

HALF MILLION PEOPLE SEE MARCH (0.C.) SYDNEY, September 9. Sydney has seen many processions of heroes through its streets since the war began, but its reception last Saturday to 3000 men of the A.1.F., home from Libya, Greece, Crete, and Syria, outdid the memorable welcomes even to the men of H.M.A.S. Sydney after their Mediterranean exploits, and to the American Navy during its visit last year. t , , , , Half a million people lined the twomile route. . City blocks were blotted out by a' constant storm of confetti thrown from almost every building. The paper was so thick on the streets it muffled the sound of marching. Girls sitting on roof tops and building ledges and at open windows emptied baskets of confetti on the passing troops and the densely-packed crowds. Crowds were never less than 10 deep along the route. Branches of trees in Hyde Park snapped under the weight of small boys. Commentators placed at strategic points along the route led cheering and singing, and described the exploits of units and named their decoration winners. The GovernorGeneral (Lord Cowrie), stood at the salute for 40 minutes at the Town Hall official dais.