TROOPS IN MIDDLE EAST

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 120, 14 February 1941, Page 8

TROOPS IN MIDDLE EAST

New Zealand Division

FA CTORS PR EV E NTIN G ITS FORMATION

No Employment Piecemeal

Factors which had prevented the formation of the .New Zealand Division in the Middle East were discussed by the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, when referring yesterday to the disposition and activities of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. He said it was never intended, nor was it desirable. that the New Zealand troops should be employed piecemeal, because it that course had been followed the New Zealanders would have been incorporated in some other formation and consequently have lost their identity.

Mr. Fraser said that, the first echelon was transferred to Egypt to complete its training, but the second echelon was diverted to England because of the decision of Italy to enter the war. The safe destination of this section of our forces was a matter for decision and action by the British Admiralty. The troops in Britain had reached a high state- of efficiency, and were placed in. the Dover Command, ready to take a share iu the defence of Britain. The part played, the bearing. and the conduct of the New Zealand troops in England evoked praise from General Sir Allen Brooke, Sir John Dill, and Mr. Churchill. The third echelon reached Egypt later in the year, and immediately began advanced training to bring them up to the required standard for war. Till this training was completed the third echelon could not be combined with the first, and, as the second echelon was also absent from Egypt, the N'ew Zealand Division could not be formed. It was never intended, do.’ was it desirable, that the New Zealand troops should be employed piecemeal, because if this course had been followed the New Zealanders would have been incorporated in some other formation and consequently have lost their identity. Fully Equipped Force. "Had the first echelon, for instance, been employed in this way and suffered serious casualties, delay in the completion and employment of the division as a whole would have taken place. When the N'ew Zealand Division is concentrated, and before it takes the field, it will be fully equipped as in the case of any other force,” continued Mr. Fraser. "The equipment and employment of British forces in the Middle East is entirely in the hands of the War Office, and the Commander-in-Chief in the Middle East, and the order in which formations are fully equipped with war equipment, as distinct from training equipment, is determined according to the preparedness of the formations that have been brought to full strength in personnel and have completed their training." The Prime Minister pointed out that in the recent operations sections of the N'ew Zealand troops had played highly important parts in transport, signalling and patrol activities. “The conditions inseparable from war interfere with even the most perfect planning,” he added, “but there can be no doubt that the British commanders in the Middle East will con tinue to employ the forces at their disposal to the best advantage. “Neither can there be reasonable ground for any suggestion that .the Government and the War Cabinet have been complacent or careless regarding the disposition, equipment, or use of New Zealand troops in Egypt. These and all other related matters have received constant and unremitting attention at all times.

“When the Government has been in a position to make statements regarding the disposition of troops it has immediately seized the opportunity. The Government cannot and will not consent to the publication of information which might be of value to the enemy, but it will never fail to take every precaution to protect the interests of the troops abroad. At the earliest possible moment, the public will have ample assurance that the troops in the Middle East are not only fully equipped and training but that they are capable of upholding the splendid record of New Zealand soldiers in the last war.

“The Government will continue to give the public all the information possible regarding the men who worthily represent New Zealand in the theatres of war.”