TRIBUTE TO N.Z. TROOPS

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24536, 9 April 1945, Page 4

TRIBUTE TO N.Z. TROOPS

SIR PATRICK DUFF’S PRAISE

(Official War Correspondent N.Z.E.F.) DIVISIONAL HEADQRS.. April 6. The New Zealand Division and its supporting services have been visited this week by Sir Patrick Duff, who will succeed Sir Harry Batterbee in July as High Commissioner for the United Kingdom in New Zealand Sir Patrick Duff, who is an old ■ soldier, expressed great admiration both of the fighting qualities of the division and the organisation of the 2nd N.Z.E.F. “I shall always be grateful to General Freyberg for giving me the opportunity to see the New Zealand forces in the field in Italy,” he said. “This brief contact has brought back o'd times and many dear memories, for it is not the first time I haveNbeen with New Zealand troons, I fought in the 29th British Division at the landing on Gallipoli, and there, and later in France and Belgium, was side by side with them many times. I well remember how even in those days a young officer called Fre.vber-' was a household word in the 29th Division for gallantry and leadership, “I have been privileged to have a glimpse of the set-un 0 f the ?nd New Zealand and manv of its units from its bases in Italy right up to

*l* I points in the forward areas, ai j4 been able to appreciate sometnWg*S£® the difficulties of fighting in of country. I have seen the themselves under varying conwVra£ b and can only say I am as I ever was by the manliness est.y of the New Zealanders. Sir Patrick Duff also expW|ss£, keen admiration for the work ? jjafffri medical and welfare services, anq he hoped the day would soon when he would b° able to assl«New Zealand reorle to welcome troops on their return heme.