FIGHTING RECORD

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 2 August 1944, Page 4

FIGHTING RECORD

DOMINION SOLDIERS AN AMERICAN TRIBUTE REFERENCE TO NELSOfc MAN Under the heading "Kiwis fighting in Italy add new lustre lo brillianf record of democratic army,” the United States Army newspaper "Stars and Stripes recently paid tribute to the qualities of the New Zealand soldier and at the same time gave considerable space to describing his country and its customs. The article was written at a New Zealand army bivouac in Italy, and the writer, by the following introduction, was evidently intrigued by the nickname given to men from the Dominion. “The British officer pulled the pipe out of his mouth and asked: “ 'Why do they call you chaps Kiwis?’ •Well.’ replied the New Zealand infantryman. *1 guess it's because ve can’t fly, we can’t run, and we're very near extinct.’ FIGHTING AND FLYING "That's how the story goes. The kiwi is a funny-looking, wingless bird native of New Zealand. He has given his nattic to one of the most fightingest, best educated and most democratic soldiers in the legions of the . United Nations. "The New Zealand soldier's definition of a New Zealander was not exactly accurate, although it demonstrated the Kiwi’s determination to rib himself. Hundreds of New Zealanders in the R.A.F. and the R.N.Z.A.F. have shown they know how to fly. It’s true that New Zealanders in battle have shown little inclination to run. But New Zealand's 1,750.000 people appear more likely to expand than become extinct. DIVISION’S GREAT RECORD "The small, hardy,‘’largely voluntary army of the Dominion of New Zealand has fought in the tragic battles of Greece and Crete, in the stern desert warfare of Egypt. Libya and Tmjisia. The valour of the New Zealand soldiers fighting in the terrible holocaust of Cassino will become a timeless chapter in the story of the struggle against German tyranny. The casualties of the New Zealand Army in Italy, as in all its campaigns in this part of the world, have been heavy. "The Kiwi soldier has a keen interest in what goes on beyond his shores, has a much greater knowledge of the United States than the American doughboy has of New Zealand. American movies, magazines and books are popular in the South Pacific Dominion. On the other hand. Kiwis will tell you, with a humorous twinkle in their eyes, of meeting Americans who expressed surprise that New Zealanders spoke English.” MOST DEMOCRATIC ARMY The writer then discussed at some length the country and its people. "The well-paid army—a private makes a dollar and a-half a day—is possibly the most democratic in the war,” he added. "There is practically no formality when unitg are in the field. There are no lines against fraternising between officers and men, who often mix in drinking sessions and pal around together. I have heard soldiers in this camp call their officers by their first names, and saluting and ‘sirring’ seems ,to be avoided by mutual, unspoken consent. You’re told that it is different, however, when the army is in garrison. "Private Donald MacFarlane, from the town of Nelson. South Island, expressed the Kiwi’s attitude to the>e things pretty well when he said; 'Th•» New Zealander is a free-and-easy chap.’ SOLDIERS’ THOUGHTS OF HOME "Kiwi’s don't go in much for sirtging. but they like to get together over a few drinks now and then and let loose on such national favourites as Maori Battalion Marching Song.’ ‘Now Is the Hour’ and the Maori ditties E Pari Ra’ and “Pokarekare.’ “The Kiwi has been overseas an average of three years and. like all the soldiers of the democracies, he longs for the land he calls home. We want to get the war won as soon as possible aQfi get back to his peacetime pursuits. He misses the rolling Canterbury Plains, the bright green fern trees which line the shady banks of the broad Wanganui River, the blue Pacific rolling into the shining sands of a hundred New Zealand beaches. Most of all he misses the healthy, buxom girls produced by the islands under the Southern Cross.”