N.Z. TROOPS IN DESERT

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25448, 20 March 1948, Page 6

N.Z. TROOPS IN DESERT

TRIBUTE BY U.S. OFFICERS

REPORT TO GENERAL MARSHALL

Praise for the 2nd N.Z.E.F. and its commander, Lieutenant-General Sir Bernard Freyberg, was expressed in messages to General George C. Marshall,. Chief of. Staff of the United States Army, by two high-ranking American officers in the Middle East in 1942. The texts of their messages to. General Marshall were read last evening by Major-General H. K. Kippenberger to the annual reunion of the 20th Battalion in Christchurch. A telegram to General Marshall from an American colonel in the Middle East read: ‘lNight of June 20'2l. Rommel took Tobruk port. British troops are very tired, dazed, morale low. Their best hopes lie in a stand at Matruh, and in Freyberg with his New Zealand division.” On June 26 General Marshall was advised that “in the battle which is sure to come within a few days the outcome depends almost entirely upon Freyberg’s division and air support. The New Zealand division is by far the best fighting unit in the Middle East. Freyberg is a very great leader of men, possessed of tremendous courage and sound judgment.” General Kippenberger also quoted a report by American officers to General Marshall on June 27. “Middle East intelligence appears very confident today,” said the message. “They are pinning their entire hopes upon the performance and ability of the New Zealand division to beat the 90th Light.” A captured German intelligence document concerning the fighting qualities of British troops rated New Zealanders first, and in this Qne of the American officers reporting to General Marshall concurred.