N.Z. SPEARHEAD

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 95, 23 April 1945, Page 4

N.Z. SPEARHEAD

BTH ARMY'S BATTLES

COMMANDER'S TRIBUTE

Good wishes and appreciation of the prominent part they played in the 3th Army are expressed by its commander, Lieutenant-General R. L. McCreery, in a message to long-service personnel of the Znd N.Z.E.F. who returned to New Zealand recently. The message, which was issued by the Acting Prime Minister (Mr. Nash) yesterday, is as follows:—

"On this occasion of your return to New Zealand your comrades in the Bth Army thank you for the splendid part you have played in the fighting record of the Bth Army, and we wish you all the best of luck and God-speed. We remember your hard-fought battles in the Western Desert, when our resources were still slender, and Bth Army was the only army fighting the Germans. From the time of those early victories right up to your recent capture of Faenza, during an advance of some 2000 miles, you have often been the spearhead of our famous Bth Army. Every arm ih the New Zealand Expeditionary Force has an equally high standard. Your veterans set that fine standard of fighting spirit, .skill, and determination; and it has been maintained. You leave at a time when we can look forward to an early and complete victory over the Germans. You have aU played a great part in this victory. We shall miss you, and Bth Army will-always remember you. All good luck." Mr. Nash said that the tribute paid by General McCreery would be greatly appreciated not only by the officers and men themselves, to whom it was a wall-deserved tribute, but equally by all New Zealanders. Some in the draft had seen service from the time the Division was formed, while all had played their part fully, with gallantry and distinction, in the many operations, in which the New Zealand Division had fought with the Bth Army. ''All men will find a warm welcome, not only from their relatives and friends, but from the general public throughout New Zealand," said Mr. Nash, "and everything possible will be done by the Government to assist them in re-establishing themselves in civil life." ■