U.S. ARMY DAY: EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 April 1948, Page 8

U.S. ARMY DAY: EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, April 5. A message of greetings and best wishes from the armed forces of New Zealand to the United States Army on the United States Army Day (April 6) has been sent by the Minister of Defence (Mr F. Jones) to the United States Minister (Mr Robert M. Scotten), with a request that the message be transmitted to the officers and men of the American Army. “We recall with admiration the great contribution made by that army to the cause of freedom and justice in two world wars,” said Mr Jones. “In particular we look back with pride upon the spirit of comradeship, mutual trust, and high endeavour which united our respective forces in the arduous battles around Cassino, Italy, 1944, and in the early stages of the long Pacific war when New Zealand troops operated under the command of American formations. May that spirit be perpetuated in the promotion of peaceful aims throughout the disturbed world of today.” Mr Scotten replied that it was a matter of extreme gratification to him to be able to transmit the message. “The United States Army considers the New Zealand Army one of the finest organisations with which it has ever been associated,” he said. “In these troublesome times it means much to the soldiers of our army to know that their comrades in arms in New Zealand have the appreciative recognition expressed in your letter.’ SIMILAR OBSERVANCE SUGGESTED FOR NEW ZEALAND (P.A.) WELLINGTON, April 5. “One of the happier customs of the people of the United States is the observance of one day in each year as Army Day; it is a custom which New Zealanders might well adopt,” said Major-General H. E. Barrowclough, former commander of the 3rd New Zealand Division, in a statement on United States Army Day. “We have Anzac Day, it is true,” said Major-General Barrowclough, “but that is for a very different purpose. If the New Zealand Army is to be properly appreciated in this country and its role and importance adequately understood, then the institution of a New Zealand Army Day is much to be desired."’ In the meantime, he said, New Zealanders would be delighted to associate themselves with the people of the United States in the observance of their Army Day tomorrow, for the people of New Zealand still remember the great feeling of security that came to their country in the dark days of 1942 when American troops first began to arrive. At that time they had. good reason to be apprehensive about their security and the urge to recall expeditionary forces abroad was strong, but it had to be resisted. No New Zealander who recalled those anxious days would ever forget the timely arrival of American divisions in the Pacific theatre, and indeed in all other theatres of war. “It is fitting that I should say how well they worked with us and how harmonious and pleasant our relations always were. I can only hope that we gave as satisfactory service to Admiral Halsey, Admiral Wilkinson, and General Harmon, under whose direction it was my great pleasure to serve. “The war brought us more than victory. It taught us the value of cooperation and the tremendous might of two great democratic nations fighting together for their dearest rights and privileges. On Army Day the New Zealand soldier salutes his American brother-in-arms, and soldier and civilian alike cordially join with the people of the United States in a tribute of grateful remembrance to the army which has done so much in the cause of freedom and humanity and has laboured so valiantly to ensure that government of the people by the people for the people shall not perish from the earth.”