Confident We Will Hold Crete

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 123, 26 May 1941, Page 5

Confident We Will Hold Crete

MR. FRASER’S FAITH IN DEFENDERS (From the N.Z.E.F. Official News Service.) Received Sundav, 7.20 p.m. CAIRO, May 24. “The next few hours may well prove decisive in the great battle of Crete,” said Mr. Fraser in an interview. “I am very confident that our New Zealand troops and their gallant Australian, British, Greek and Cretan comrades will succeed in holding Crete against one of the heaviest air attacks yet launched and in circumstances which will never be repeated. “Never have the conditions been so favourable for air attack with the enemy’s air bases so close and our men deprived of air support and otherwise handicapped. But I have great hope of the outcome. I know the New Zealand troops and I know they are unequalled for co-operation, unity, tenacity, discipline and individual initiative. They showed their quality in Greece fighting a heroic rearguard action as did the Australians and Greeks, und they are giving an equally good account of themselves in Crete. “Even if we have to face further reverses it will not change the spirit of the people of New Zealand. We are lighting for, great ideals, ideals of freedom and fair dealing between nations which we championed at Geneva before the League of Nations. It is those ideals which led us into the war unasked by the Mother Country. We are the smallest in area and population of all the Dominions, but our spirit is surpassed by none, and come what may even if the war zone extends we shail continue to fight for the ideals in which we believe. ‘ ‘ The Navy has given our men wonderful support in the Battle of Crete. With the Navy and the heroic men on shore I feel we shall win through. ” Mr. Fraser paid a warm tribute to the people of Egypt, British and Egyptian, for the welcome they have given the New Zealand troops and for the organisations they had set up for the cultural and material welfare of the troops.