GRATIFYING TRIBUTE

Evening Star, Issue 25170, 9 May 1944, Page 7

GRATIFYING TRIBUTE

U.S. GENERAL PRAISES N.Z. TROOPS FINE WORK IN PACIFIC (P.A.) AUCKLAND, May 8. Appreciation of the service given by the Mew Zealand forces in the Pacific was expressed by Lieutenant-general MiW lard F. Harmon, commanding general of the United States army forces in the South Pacific area, in an interview to-day. General Harmon has been in a good position to observe the work of the New Zealanders who have been fighting in the South Pacific area, and he paid an obviously sincere tribute to what they havo dene and how they have done it. " As we all know," said General Harmon, " the New Zealand Army forces cleaned up Vella Lavella, seized and occupied the Treasury Group, and later made an excellent reconnaissance of Green Island, which they followed by its capture and consolidation. Throughout all their operations they have performed their tasks in an outstanding manner. The New Zealand officers, including the divisional commander, Major-general H. E. Barrowclough, have been given the same responsibilities of command as we vest in our own officers, and they have carried them out as part of the whole Allied force without regard to whether they belonged to the New Zealand forces or otherwise. " The New Zealanders' part in the Solomons campaign," General Harmon said, " has not only helped materially in the accomplishment of our objectives, but has been a source of.pride and gratification to us i" the way they have done it. Their own people are justified in having- an equal prido in them. " The New Zealand Air Force," General Harmon added, " has also made an enviable reputation for itself. Your airmen have become noted for the fact that they do not worry about the jobs assigned to them. They accept their missions and go ahead ,ind perform them with a high degree of efficiency. Most of your air strength in the South Pacific has been in fighters. Your men, however, have also carried out a great deal of reconnaissance work, and they have performed these duties in ah equally outstanding manner."