FEARED HEAVY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20571, 3 June 1941, Page 4

FEARED HEAVY

N.Z. CASUALTIES

PREMIER’S CABLE PRAISE FOR TROOPS DETAILS NOT AVAILABLE (Per Pres* Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. In a statement reviewing the Crete campaign last night the acting Prime Minister, the Hon. W. Nash, said that a great proportion of the New Zealanders who were evacuated from Greece went to Crete, although he was not yet at liberty to state the numbers. Ml information would be given in the Dominion as soon as possible. Major-General 3. C. Freyberg. who was placed in command of the Allied forces in Crete, faced a task which called for all his renowned fortitude, enterprise and skill, and for a display of those magnificent qualities which have distinguished the troops under his command “As a result of the campaign in Greece.” said Mr. Nash, “our men arrived in Crete merely with the arms each man could carry away with him. and it was not for some time that essential equipment could be sent to them. That it reached them is a feat of unprecedented magnitude, but it did reach them. The British authorities made the greatest efforts and took the greatest risks to sustain the Imperial forces in every possible way. No effort could, however, affect the geographical position .of an island situated 70 miles from the Greek mainland. “Much Has Been Gained” • Despite the fact that our troops have had to withdraw from Crete, much has been gained. The struggle for Crete was only part of a larger struggle in which the fate of Egypt. !he Suez Canal, the Middle East generally, and our own Dominion and AusIralia and all the eastern possessions of the British commonwealth are involved. The time factor has been of the greatest importance. We know that the Germans expected a cniick capture of the island and the stubborn resistance of Major-General FreybergV force completely upset the Nazi timetable. enabling the British to clear up the situation in Iraq. “This stubborn action in Crete has given Britain other advantages which in the course of time will be revealed. There can be little doubt that thedefence of Crete h?s been a delaying rearguard action of the utmost value in relation .to the greater struggle ahead."

Mr. Nash s-H he had iin’ received a cablegram from the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, giving some of his observations gained as a result of talks with Major-General Frevberg and others who have arrived in Egypt. Mr. Fraser cabled: “Last night T returned to Cairo after meeting MajorGeneral Freyberg and some of the New Zealand troops returning and returned from Crete. I found them all in great heart, whether wounded or fit, and convinced of their superiority, man for man, over the Germans, given equal weapons and equal air support. I have had long exchanges with Admiral Cunningham and am entirely convinced that everything possible has been dene and is being clone to facilitate the evacuation. Indeed, the greatest risks have been taken by the navy with that object. Evacuation Only Course

“The fighting was of the most intense description and though the proportion of dead to wounded is reported to be low we must. I fear, expect heavy casualties. As soon as possible vou will be advised of details as they become available, but you will understand that it will take some time to clear up the situation. Most of the fit men and most of the walking wounded have been evacuated, but an unestimated proportion still remains in Crete.” Mr. Nash said it was clear from Mr. Fraser’s account that complete air superiority was the chief factor in bringing about the present result.

Mr. Fraser's cable continued: “Our men faced continuous arrivals of I,rnons in troop-carrying aircraft which came in like trams at intervals of about five minutes, and as further Germans arrived evacuation became the only course. The air attack appeal's to have been of a violence completely unprecedented. Nevertheless, the Germans undoubtedly lost a very large number of planes and by far the greater part of their parachute division. Indeed, they experienced untold casualties all through.

“The navy, in mv opinion, has .been beyond praise. Nothing could be finer or more helpful than the attitude throughout of Admiral Cunningham m his to rescue our hoys. I feel, particularly in view of the highly adverse circumstances they had to deal with against the most intense air attack history has ever offered, that our men have done magnificently. That view i. l ? shared by General Sir Archibald Waveil and all authorities here. All agree that the' work of the Maoris was outstanding,” concluded Mr. Fraser.

Parliament Summoned

Mr. Nash announced that he had called Parliament for Tuesday of next week, and the House will be given every opportunity to learn in as great detail as possible the facts in possession of the Government. He gave on assurance that Ihc people of the Dominion will bo given every piece of information immediately it. reaches New Zealand, with the sole exception of fccts which would be advantageous to the enemy. “One of the greatest episodes in the history or the Dominion is ending." said Mr. Nash. “Our men, Maori and pakeha, have accomplished unprecedented feats. When facing the enemy they never flinched, but distance made it impossible to give them the necessary support in the air, and they retired with laurels that live for ever. Those who have landed in Egypt are in good heart. After rest and recuperation they will again stand in the ranks to defend the Empire and our shores.” Mr. Nash expressed sympathy to the relatives of all who had fallen in the fight and admiration for the amazing courage and enterprise of MajorGeneral Freyberg and his officers.