14,000 Servicemen Home In Next Four Weeks

Northern Advocate, 4 January 1946, Page 4

14,000 Servicemen Home In Next Four Weeks

It is expected that during the next four weeks approximately 14.000 personnel, mainly Army, will return to New Zealand, said the Minister for Defence (Hon. F. Jones) today. They will be carried as follows: Athlonc Castle, due towards the end of next week, about 1000, comprising nearly equal drafts of Navy t Army and Air Force.

Rangitata, also due towards the end of next week, about 900, comprising 427 Air Force, 256 Navy. 132 Army, and SO dependants.

Otranto, expected during weekend, January 12-13, carrying 3800 and, with the exception of 150 dependants and 70 Air Force personnel, these are all Army. . Dominion Monarch, due about the. week after the Otranto, will bring 3300, all Army and dependants. Durban Castle, expected during the fourth week in January, with about 1100, comprising 1000 Army, 50 dependants, and 50 Air Force. The last ship of which firm advice is known is the Orion, which will ar-

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, This Day

rive about the end of January, or very early in February, carrying more than 4000 N.Z.E.F. personnel from Italy and Egypt. The Minister said he hoped thdf remainder of the N.Z.E.F. in Italy and Egypt, with the exception of those detailed for the J-Force, would be back in the Dominion by the end of February'.

They would probably return on the Rangitiki, leaving England in the middle of January, and the Stirling Castle, also expected to leave about the middle of January.