N.Z.E.F. WOUNDED

Grey River Argus, 10 November 1944, Page 7

N.Z.E.F. WOUNDED

Return to Dominion P.A. WELLINGTON, November 9. Bearing up cheerily under hard knocks sustained in battle, a recently returned draft of wounded from the New Zealand Division in the Middle E’-'St included men who had been right through to the hard fighting at Florence and Rimini in Northern Italy. Relatives and friends received them enthusiastically as _ they , came ashore from a hospital snip, and they were accorded an official reception in a clearing station. The men admitted that the Germans were still a tough enemy. As they were pressed back through Italy the Germans had the advantage of knowing the country and the places where they could put up resistance most effectively. Instances of this were the hard fighting at Florence and Rimini. News since they left the battle zone indicated that weather conditions were still proving a handicap. However, there was a feeling of confidence that enemy resistance would be smashed there as it had been in numerous stands made earlier in the Middle East campaign. z: The returning men included some who had had experience as prisoners of war and had escaped. One man who had been farewelled by his family onlv seven months ago had been twice wounded during his brief period of active esrvice. Navy personnel, nurses, and Waacs were among those who returned.

. The Prime Minister (Mr Fra'ser) being slightly indisposed, was unable to attend the official reception, and Mr Nash extended a welcome to the draft on his behalf. Mr Nash advised the men to be sure to contact rehabilitation officials. There were arrangements for every man who came hack to be given the care he needed, he said. The Government and the country were very Thankful for what the men had done, a'nd hoped that they would soon recover from their disabilities and be able to settle down once again to normal life. The men were also welcomed by the Minister of Defence (Mr Jones), the Minister of Rehabilitation (Mr Skinner), Hon. Adam Hamilton, Colonel Bennett, formerly of the Maori Battalion, and Councillor M. F. Luckie, deputising for the Mayor of Wellington. An R.S.A. representative (Mr Leadley) told the men that in New Zealand today thev had the best pension scale in the British Empire, and the best rehabilitation scheme among the United Nations.