RETURN FROM EGYPT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21148, 16 July 1943, Page 2

RETURN FROM EGYPT

N.Z. BATTLE CASUALTIES

MANY STRETCHER CASES

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, July 16. The largest contingent of sick and wounded New Zealand soldiers to return home from this war was recently welcomed back on arrival of a hospital ship.

There were approximately 680 cases of battle casualties on board, wounds being sustained from El Alamein right up to the final phase in Tunisia. Many were wounded when the New Zealanders broke through on the flank of the famous lVlareth Line and these and subsequent casualties were flown by air ambulance and transport planes to the base hospital. The ship carried many walking wounded, but there was a considerable number of stretcher cases, some very serious.

Arrangements for disembarkation worked smoothly, the men being taken to the clearing hospital, where tea and other comforts were provided.

An official reception was held. The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, with other members of the War Cabinet, the Ministry ancl members of Parliament, greeted the men. Mr. Fraser told the men that but for them there would be no place to give them a welcome. There could be no country and no Government, and the country had made provision for them because they were entitled to the best. Mr. Goosman spoke on behalf of the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. E. K. Tirikatene for the Maoris, and Mr. Leadley for the Returned Services Association.

Among those who returned were Brigadier MacCormick, who is Director of Medical Services of the Second Mew Zealand Expeditionary Force in die Middle East, who brought back with him his wife whom he recently married. Mr. Fraser made special reference to Brigadier MacCormick s fine work in organising and administering the medical service in the Middle East. This was acknowledged by Brigadier MacCormick, who paid a tribute to the very fine work being done by the women there. “Everyone who knows anything at all about what the women are doing pays an unstinted tribute to the splendid job they have done and are doing,’ he said. Brigadier MacCormick regards the air transport of wounded as the most important development, not only in a great saving in time but also in'lives and suffering.