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Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20570, 2 June 1941, Page 5

BACK TO SAFETY

ANZAC PARTIES SPIRITS KEPT HIGH TESTING OF GERMANS (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (N.Z.E.F. Official New 9 Service.) (Per Cable and Wireless Limited) (Reed. June 2, 9 a.m.) CAIRO, May 30. A straggling queue of weary men yesterday filed off the gangway of a naval ship to return to safety after two months of grim, hard fighting in the face of the German onslaught. They were troops evacuated from Crete, some of them New Zealanders —men who had been through the first campaign in Greece and hard on its heels the harrowing battle for the Cretan island. As they made their way off the ship, at first in a mere trickle and then in a long waving line, they gave the appearance of men who had done a long and arduous job and were ready for rest. Still their cheerfulness was in no way killed. They know they are better, man for man, than the Germans and they are confidently waiting for the day when they will meet them on something more like even terms. It was hard to single out New Zealanders in that long line of marching men, for complete and distinctive regimental uniforms were seldom to be seen. Most of the boys were clad in multi-coloured and multifarious garb, mainly army issue, but obviously their wardrobe was collected at random and with an eye to the necessity of the moment. One man was extremely proud of what he called his “bitsa” suit. This comprised a battledress tunic, drill trousers in knicker - bocker style, a leather jerkin, a green shirt and a tweed cap and a pair of Aussie boots. Tin Hats Marked Most of them wore tin hats which in quite a few cases bore the indelible mark of many a close escape. Some had many days’ growth on their chins. They had not had a. shave since May 19 and aboard ship they were too tired to bother. None of them were strangers to this country and in the brilliant afternoon sunshine the peaceful and familiar vista was a very welcome sight. “Glad to be back here?” one lad was. asked. “Too right we are,” was the answer. “We want to catch up with some sleep.” Nevertheless, every one of them was a little sorry in having to leave the island which had for such a short time provided them with a haven after the Greek campaign.

As they made their way up the wharf they were met by representatives of the Y.M.C.A., who handed them cigarettes, chocolate, tea and biscuits. This proved very welcome refreshment to these weary travelstrained and battle-worn soldiers. These were men who had looked the Nazi war machine in the face twice in close succession. Two short months ago many of them were but boys in heart, if not in years. Now they are men in the fullest sense—grim and determined men, who more than ever were prepared to fight till the last vestige of Nazism has been effaced from the world. Many were the tales of deeds of heroism quietly told. Many their experiences they only wished to forget, Others would live in memory -'’or ever. Skirl of Pipes With the hours of darkness another relay of troops came slipping into port and as the sleek grey ships came sliding through the gloom there came across the water the skirl of pipes, playing a well-known Highland air. From those waiting to receive those lads, whose spirit could not be broken, there went out an answering cheer They had fought long and hard, but their battle was not in vain.

Once again a now famous New Zealand brigade was entrusted with the fighting of what again proved to be a magnificent action. Over the mountains in a long weary line came men who had for days and nights been subjected to the fiercest attack yet made by German specialised troops.

"The sky was a whirring mass of planes, bombing and machine-gunning all the time,” said one New Zealander who has been through three compaigns in this war. He showed a representative, of the New Zealand Official News Service his steel helmet through which there was a hole at least one inch in diameter. It had been made by a piece of flying shrapnel “That was the closest shave > had,” he said, adding that the shrapnel had not left the least trace of a mark on his head. On the journey it had been alternately raining, snowing and hailing, making it most difficult for the transport and marching men. Many of the men marched all the way, which, after the hard fighting they had undergone, was a superb feat of physical endurance. Among these were a great number of walking wounded. Cut off from communication with their units many pf these heroic men had received only primary field ment and had not had the further opportunity of making contact with a dressing station. Still they had struggled on, climbing, walking, running and stumbling with arms in slings and legs or bodies bandaged, ciuietly determined to make the grade. From all accounts the medical service in Crete performed a wonderful task. Doctors, surgeons and orderlies fought clay and night in a glorious attempt to save life. Many of the doctors slept only about two hours a day. _