SICK AND WOUNDED

Evening Star, Issue 24918, 16 July 1943, Page 6

SICK AND WOUNDED

. —. —__s DRAFT OF 680 ARRIVE FINAL TUNIS CAMPAIGN CASUALTIES (P.A.) WELLINGTON, July 15. A hospital ship with a contingent of sick and wounded New Zealand soldiers recently arrived from overseas. There were approximately 680 cases on board, comprising casualties suffered from the time of the El Alamein battle right to the final phase in Tunisia. Many were wounded when the New Zealanders broke through the flank of the famous Mareth Line, and these and subsequent acsualties were flown by air ambulance and transport planes to the base hospital. The ship carried many walking wounded, but there were a considerable number of stretcher cases, some of them serious. The arrangements for disembarkation worked smoothly; The men were taken to the clearing hospital, where tea and other comforts were provided and an official reception held. The Prime Minister, Mr Eraser, with other members of the War Cabinet and the Ministry and members of Parliament, greeted the men. Mr Eraser told the men that but for them there would be no place to give them a welcome; there would be no country". The Government and the country had made provision for them because they were entitled to the best. Mr W. S. Goosman, M.P., spoke on behalf of the Leader of the Opposition (Mr S. G. Holland), the Minister in Charge of the Maori War Effort, Mr Tirakatene, for the Maoris, and Mr W. G. Leadley for the R.S.A.

Among those who returned were Brigadier K. MacConnick, who is the director of medical services, 2nd N.Z.E.F., Middle JJast, and brought back with him Ms wife. He was only recently married. Mr Eraser made speeial reference to Brigadier MacCormick's fine work in organising. and administering the medical service in the Middle East. ' The welcome was acknowledged by Brigadier MacConnick, who paid a tribute to the very fine work being done by the women in the services in the Middle East. " Everyone who knows anything at all about what the women are doing pays unstinted tribute to the splendid job they have done and are doing," he said. He added that he regarded the air transport of the wounded as a most important development, as it saved not only a great deal of time, but also lives and suffering.