N.Z. Force to Go Overseas

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 278, 24 November 1939, Page 8

N.Z. Force to Go Overseas

First Echelon to Sail When Men Complete Training Major-General Freyberg to Command Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Nov. 23. The dispatch of the first echelon for service overseas, the appointment by his Majesty the King of Major-General B. C. Freyberg to take command of the New Zealand forces overseas and the retention of Major-Gen. Duigan’s services within the Dominion were subjects of a statement by the Prime Minister, Mr M. J. Savage, to-day. At the Government’s special request, Major-General Dnigan is to remain in New Zealand to devote his full attention to the vitally important work of raising and training men. The troops proceeding overseas will embark after the satisfactory completion of’ their training as and when transport is available. Mr Savage also stressed particularly that the force would not sail without an adequate naval escort. At some period before they were sent abroad the men would be given leave to visit their home s.

"All the factors involved have been given the fullest consideration,** said Mr Savage, “and the steps now being taken have been the subject of consultations with the United Kingdom Government. "The public will recall that immediately the Government was advised that war had broken out with Germany it offered Britain the fullest assurance of all possible support, and at the same time offered to give the fullest consideration to any suggestion of the British Government as to the method by which New Zealand could best assist the common cause. In due course, and in accordance with our request, vhe British Government made a number of suggestions regarding New Zealand’s cooperation and these were csrefuUjr examined by the Defence Council and Cabinet. The su~£C%tkns m*de by the Old Country were accepted end tho undertakings are being carried out Second Echelon to Train. "On September 9, six days after the outbreak of the war, the Government announced its decision to raise a special force of volunteers for service within or beyond New Zealand. The response to this appeal was most gratifying, and provided conclusive evidence of the patriotic zeal of the Dominion’s manhood,” continued Mr Savage. “On the day recruiting opened, the actual number of men called for was exceeded. “In making the offer to raise and train a force for service in the general task of defending the British Commonwealth. it was stated that this force would be dispatched overseas when required and when it was considered practicable to send it "The first echelon of the special force has been undergoing intensive training since October 6. A further step towards providing the force offered was taken on November 8, when the officers selected for service with the second echelon were assembled and commenced training. The next step will be the concentration of non-com-missioned officers for service with this echelon. "Following upon advice now received. the Government is able to r.nnounce its decision to dispatch the first echelon overseas when the men have completed their New Zealand training ?,nd when suitable shipping facilities and naval escort arrangements have been "On the completion of embarkation of the first echelon, the men of the second echelon will then be called upon to join their officers and N.C.O.'s for training. Already a number of enrolments for the second echelon have been made, and further enlistments ere being and will continue to be received. Major-General Duigan’s Post. “The fact that Major-General Freyberg wit available for service overseas has enabled the Government to retain Major-General Duigan in command in New Zealand to continue the work ol organising and training for which he has shown such marked ability. "I would like to take this opportunity.” continued Mr Savage, “of stating that the Government is warmly appreciative of Major-General Duigan’s services. In recent months his advice and untiring efforts have been of the utmost value, and it has been his duty to plan and organise the mobilisation and training of the New Zealand forces—a task for which his personal qualities and v/ide experience have specially fitted him. His training in military engineering in particular has enabled him to undertake most successfully the mechanisation of the army, a development which is so vital a feature of modern warfare. "Because of its confidence in the general, and because of his intimate knowledge of our defence problem and our men, the Government extended his services for a further year after the expiration of his term in March last, and he has now been asked to continue his work here. “The people of the Dominion owe a great deal to the untiring efforts he and his staff have made and are making to render this country safe and to build up a fighting force w-orthy of the bast traditions of the Dominion. “The appointment of Major-General Freyberg needs little comment from me. lie received his education here in Wellington, and his first military service was with the Sixth Hauraki Regiment, Auckland. General Freyberg’s name is known throughout the Dominion as that of a New Zealand hero of the last war.

He was awarded the D.S.O. at the landing at Gallipoli for swimming ashore at Bulair towing a raft with flares. For further feats of gallantry he was later awarded a first and a second bar to his D.S.O. After winning the Victoria Cross in 1918, he was, at the age of 27, promoted to the rank of brigadier-general for his services in the field—the youngest brigadier in the British Army. “General Freyberg has earned a well-merited reputation as a very fine soldier and as an able and his acquaintance with the moderq methods and equipment of the British Army must be of great value in the task that lies ahead. His appointment will, I am sure, meet with the full ap- ; proval of soldiers and civilians alike.” 1