NEW ARMY CHIEF

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20629, 9 August 1941, Page 4

NEW ARMY CHIEF

BRIGADIER PUTTICK FAREWELL TO TROOPS SERVICE IN BALKANS (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (From the Official YVar Correspondent with the Second N.Z.E.F.) (Reed. Aug. 9, 10.30 a.m.) CAIRO, Aug. 8. When the new Chief of the New Zealand General Staff, Brigadier E. Puttick follows the future exploits of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force his interest will be close and personal. His command of the eldest infantry brigade and at times the force itself throughout the long months of training and difficult operations, has given him the widest knowledge and understanding of the officers and men who are serving overseas. Brigadier Puttick’s greatest regret is that he will not have the opportunity of leading his formation into battle in which he may meet the enemy on more equal terms. His conficlence in the fighting qualities of New Zealanders is inspiring. It was vindicated in Greece where his own brigade was assigned perhaps the most difficult of rearguard roles and engaged the enemy at three points without assistance, beyond supporting artillery. He paid the formation a high tribute when he told it at a farewell parade yesterday: “You were very easy to handle from my point of view, but you did not appear to the Germans to be so easy.” “A Real Soldier’’ His men call him a real soldier and those who have been close with him in action admire his coolness, clear thinking under great stress, quick decisions and unflagging concern for the welfare of his men. With those qualities, he has a place in our most vivid memories of the Greek campaign. It will be impossible to forget one dreary wet day when the brigade withdrew from the Olympus line 24 hours after the rest of the forces. Although burdened with the responsibility of suddenly breaking off contact with the enemy and evacuating troops from an exposed position, Brigadier Puttick found time to stand on a roadside with a cheery word for the men as they came trudging back, weary, damp and mud-stained. Later in the pass south of Thebees, against growing odds he employed brilliant tactics of concealment whereby the enemy was completely deceived and obliged to move with costly caution. Finally, and again not before the force struck effectively at the Germans, he extricated it from contact with enemy near the embarkation beach itself.

In Crete, Brigadier Puttick assumed command of the whole New Zealand Force when Major-General B. C. Freyberg was placed in charge of the island’s defence. No test could have been sterner. Again, however, he gives great credit to the men around him. “It is quite clear to-day that your efforts were well worth while,” he said. “I don’t want you to think that is a mere sop to your vanity or to any mistakes there may have been.” High Physical Standard

Brigadier Puttick set out early to achieve and maintain a high standard of physical fitness in his battalions. He sent them out from the base camp on long, gruelling marches and then in- the Western Desert to dig a huge tank trap for the sole purpose of toughening every man. When he threatened to cancel the week-end leave of any soldier who failed to learn to swim the length of the camp baths, he reduced the proportion of non-swimmers to 10 per cent. The brigade spent many months in the desert preparing and occupying defensive positions before it was recalled for the Balkans expedition. The brigadier’s successor, who is no stranger to the formation, temporarily commanded the brigade for considerable periods in the desert, and it served under him throughout the battle of Crete. Recently he paid a flying visit to Britain as Major-Gen-eral Freyberg’s emissary to discuss problems arising from that action, conferring with the King, Mr. Winston Churchill, high Government and service authorities. He, too, has a high reputation as a fighting soldier. The formal handing over of the brigade comand was the occasion of the parade. The troops made it more than that. In a fine display of ceremonial drill, splendid bearing and marching, they paid tribute to the man whom they served nearly two years and bade fareYvell. Speaking to them before they swung past the saluting base with their new commander at the head, he recalled the experiences they had shared, he spoke of the tradition now behind them. “Good-bye. Very best luck. God bless you ail,” said Brigadier Puttick.