WELCOME REST

Evening Post, Volume CXXXV, Issue 28, 3 February 1943, Page 3

WELCOME REST

N.Z.E.F. FROM ALAMEIN TO TRIPOLI

GENERAL'S REVIEW

A brief survey of the operations of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the pursuit of Rommel's forces from Alamein to Tripoli is given in a telegram receivM by the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, from Lieut.-General Sir B. C. Freyberg. The general states that the New Zealand Division is now resting In pleasant surroundings after its great fighting journey of 1400 miles. "I have just returned from Tripoli along the Division's marked axis of advance," says the message. "When we broke through at Alamein we marked our route with diamond signs on iron pickets. Since the first picket was driven in there on November 2 these signs have been set up at 700----yard intervals along the desert thrust line for over 1400 miles. For the present the last picket stands in the main square of Tripoli. "During the last operation we have covered 450 miles since leaving Sirte. As before, we travelled self-contained in ammunition, petrol, water, and food, and fully equipped for desert movement. The Division formed the fast-moving left flank of the Eighth Army, ready to envelop the enemy should they stand and fight. The enemy showed no inclination to do so after the Buerat position was turned on January 15. Nevertheless^ the enemy manoeuvred with skill behind a series of rearguards, and several brisk engagements took place between tanks and artillery on both sides. The enemy always withdrew, however, when we deployed. German bombers made^ several attacks on advancing columns, but the Allied air force maintained air superiority, harrying the enemy withdrawal by day and night. SPEED IN SPITE OF OBSTACLES.

"The chief obstacle to progress was the broken nature of the country, including the precipitous wadis, soft hummocks of desert, and narrow defiles through the Jebel Ranges. The enemy impeded our advance with demolitions and minefields. The engineers, however, cleared mines, bypassed demolitions, and improved the mountain roads, and despite these and natural obstacles, the advance was rapid. On January 23, eight days after the first engagement with the enemy, the Divisional Cavalry and troops of the Fifth Infantry Brigade entered Tripoli. The speed of the advance undoubtedly upset the enemy schedule. Demolitions and minefields became fewer as we advanced, and important aerodromes were captured only partially obstructed, thus enabling our fighters and bombers to follow up the enemy retreat without interruption. "The capture of Tripoli completes a phase of successful fighting which started just three months ago. The enemy has been driven from Egypt, Cyrenaica, and Tripolitania. It is an important step, giving the' Allies a naval base and airfields, and complete relief of the hard-pressed garrison of Malta. It also advances our aim of clearing the enemy from Africa and opening the Mediterranean, but before this is finally achieved, decisive battles in Tunisia have yet ,to be fought. "The Division is now resting in pleasant surroundings and taking advantage of unlimited water supply to clean up after three months' campaigning in the desert with short allowances of brackish water and hard battle rations. Fresh food and bread are now becoming available; the health of the force is excellent, and its spirits are high. It has been a considerable source of satisfaction to all ranks to have played a part in capturing Tripoli—for so long a goal of the Army in the Middle East." CONGRATULATORY REPLY.

The Prime Minister has sent the following reply to General Freyberg: "My colleagues and I are very grateful to you for your telegram, and for your previous communications explaining the course of the recent fighting. Will you please accept and convey to all under your command, officers, n.c.o.s, and men, the warmest congratulations of the Government and people of New Zealand on this new achievement of our Division. We have watched your progress day by day with the greatest enthusiasm, and we share with you all justifiable satisfaction in a job of work well done. Alamein to Tripoli will for all time be a proud battle honour in the annals of military history, and it is of profound significance in the present stEVje of the struggle for democratic freedom." '