TRIBUTE TO N.Z. TROOPS

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26662, 22 February 1952, Page 3

TRIBUTE TO N.Z. TROOPS

KOREAN PRESIDENTIAL CITATION (NJZ. Press Association—CopyrigM) TOKYO, February 20. The South Korean Government paid an official tribute to New Zealand yesterday when the Defence Minister *Mr Ko Poong Lee) presented the South Korean Presidential unit citation to the New Zealand 16th Field Regiment. The citation was the first of its kind presented to a unit of the Commonwealth Division. It honoured the unit for outstanding support to the United Nations battle effort. ■ The citation said, in part: "The unit's periormance in the April Communist offensive merits the highest praise. Throughout the battle it operated its guns efficiently and played -an important part in the holding of the position.” Mr Lee, in presenting the citation, told regimental officers and men: "You gave new hope to the world, especially to the small nations such as mine. In our 5000 years of history we have never betrayed a neighbour, and we always repay kindness with kindness. Some day we will have the opportunity to show our gratitude to the United Nations, who saved us from Communism.” The Minister spoke to 200 members of the regiment. The 17-gun salute was not wasted. The gunners fired at Communist positions four miles away. Pipers of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers, wearing Royal Stuart kilts, skirled a tribute to the New Zealanders by playing "Scotland the Brave.” Throughout the ceremony the regiment's guns, manned by skeleton crews, kept up their hammering of the Communist positions. Mr Lee paid a tribute to the regiment for its part in the Kapyong battle last April. Then the gunners’ stand helped to stem the Chinese advance. For 11 hours the New Zealanders fired in support of the Ist Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment.