Why N.Z. Troops Have Been Held On Leash
[Per Press Association. Copyright .l
A YELLING TON. This Day
! T HE PRIME MINISTER (MR. FRASER) HAS RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE FROM GENERAL SIR ARCHIBALD WAVELL, COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE BRITISH FORCES IN THE MIDDLE EAST, IN REPLY TO A CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE ON THE CAPTURE OF BENGHAZI:
"Your congratulations deeply appreciated. New Zealand has been well and gallantly represented during the advance, although it was not possible to employ your fine division in Cyrenaiea.”
The Prime Minister explained at Palmerston North yesterday the reason for New Zealand troops not having taken part in the major encounter in North Africa.
DIVISION MUST BE COMPLETE He said that until such a time as our division was complete in Egypt it would be military suicide for our men to go everywhere. Major-General Freyberg was not the type of man to do anything of that kind.
No man was more active in getting together and training men who were scattered in many parts of the world.
“When the forces are reunited I do not know what is going to happen,'' the Prime Minister added.
“There will probably be. the grim reality of war. probably more serious than in the Libyan Desert, but we know that what men can do our men will do.”
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Bibliographic details
Northern Advocate, 13 February 1941, Page 3
Word Count
216Why N.Z. Troops Have Been Held On Leash Northern Advocate, 13 February 1941, Page 3
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