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Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 154, 2 June 1941, Page 5

BACK TO SAFETY

GRIM AND DETERMINED. IMPERIAL EORCES. (N.Z.E.F. Official News Service.) 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 a mere trickle and then in a long, waving line, they gave the appearance of men who had done a long I and arduous job and were ready lor a ! rest. Still, their cheerfulness was in no way killed. They know that they I arc better, man for man, than the Germans, and they are confidently waiting ior the day when they meet them on something more like even terms. 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, travel-stain-ed and battle-worn soldiers. These were men who had looked the Nazi war machine in the face twice in close succession, 'J'wo short months ago many of them were but boys in heart, if not in years; now they are men in the fullest sense—grim, determined men who more than ever are prepared to fight till the last vistage of Nazism has been effaced from tin; world. Many were the tales of deeds of heroism quietly told. Many of their experiences they only wished to forget; others will live in their memory for ever.

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 never ]>c 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 has again proved to be a magnificent action.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT. REASON FOR WITHDRAWAL. (British Official Wireless.) (Pee. 11.55 a.m.) RUGBY, June 1. The evacuation of Crete was announced in a War Office communique which states:

"After twelve da\s of what has undoubtedly been the fiercest fighting in the war it was decided to withdraw our forces from Crete.

"Although the losses we have inflicted on the enemy's troops and aircraft have been enormous, it became clear that our naval and military forces could not he expected to operate indefinitely in and near Crete without more air support than could be provided from our bases in Africa. Some 15.000 of our troops have been withdrawn to Egypt, but it must be admitted that our losses have been severe. - ' Military circles, commenting on the evacuation, stress an important factor which contributed to the necessity for the •withdrawal— namely. the far greater distances of the British air bases from the island than the German.