Messages To Allied Leaders On Victories

Northern Advocate, 7 May 1945, Page 2

Messages To Allied Leaders On Victories

,PA) WELLINGTON, This Lay. The acting-Prime Minister (Hon. W. Nash) has sent the following messages to General Eisenhower and Field-Mars'-al Montgomery on the occasion of the capitulation of all German forces in North-west Germany, Denmark and Holland: To General Eisenhower: The great news of the surrender in North Germany, Holland and Denmark brings a crowning demonstration of the remarkable work of yourself as Supreme Allied Commander and generals, officers and all ranks of all the forces of your command. The Government and people of New Zealand extend thanks, i congratulations and good wishes for the completion of the success/’ To Field - Marshal Montgomery: “With pride in the memory of our association with you in the African campaign, the Government and people of New Zealand offer wann congratulations upon the complete aefeat of once powerful German forces in North-west Germany, Holland and Denmark. The task allotted you and the men of your command callfid out qualities of resistance, toughness and inspiration which you harnessed to devastating effect.*’

ADMIRATION FOR N.Z.E.F. Mr. Nash has received the following reply from Field-Marshal Alexander to his message of congratulations on the ] occasion of the capitulation of the Germans in Italy. "I thank you for . your message and once more express my pride and admiration for the 2nd New Zealand Division and its commander. with whom I have been associated since El Alamein.” FIJI’S MESSAGE Mr. Nash has received the following cablegram from the Governor of Fiji and High Commissioner for the Western Pacific: “We rejoice that after crossing desert, sea, river and mountain and fighting its way from the Nile Delta to the southern gateway of the Third Reich, your much-laurelled 2nd Division, in which some of Fiji's own sons are serving, has reached victoriously the end of its amazing and ever memorable odyssey.” Mr. Nash, replying, said the Government and people of New Zealand were deeply grateful for the very kind tribute. The message would be greatly welcomed by General Freyberg, officers and all ranks of the division, to whom it was being telegraphed. CAPTURE OF RANGOON Mr. Nash has sent the following message to Admiral Mountbatten on the occasion of the capture of Rangoon: “The Government and people of New Zealand extend to you and all ranks of all services under your command warmest congratulations on the capture of Rangoon. This is a major milestone on the road to victory in the East, and adds high lustre to the already distinguished record of the 14th Army and Sir Oliver Leese, its gallant commander.” GREAT ACHIEVEMENTS The military achievements of the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force, which Field-Marshal Alexander had said was in his opinion the best the world had ever seen, were outlined in ' a broadcast talk last night by the i Minister for Defence (Hon. F. Jones). He traced the various battles in which the New Zealand Division had taken part since it first went into action. Mr. Jones, who quoted from General Freyberg’s Anzac Day message, in l which he praised the Third Division, said the replacement scheme had not 1 been easy to operate. Men had had to be withdrawn from industry, but this had enabled men who had had four or five years of service to return home. The division had been kept at full strength.