TRIBUTES TO NEW ZEALAND FORCES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 16 August 1944, Page 6

TRIBUTES TO NEW ZEALAND FORCES

“I have just received the following message from General Kirkman, commander of the 13th Corps, which pays tribute to our troops:— “ ‘Now that we have entered Florence I should like to say how much the 13th Corps owe to the Second New Zealand Division during its recent fighting. In the battles for Arezzo and Florence your troops, as always, fought magnificently, and gave us the extra punch that was necessary to eject the enemy from his chosen positions in the very difficult country south of the River Arno. The Second New Zealand Division has undoubtedly inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy and I congratulate all ranks on their great successes.’ “Since writing this report I have received the following message from General Leese:— “ ‘I must write thanking your Division for their great achievement in gaining the high ground before Florence, to which our recent success is so largely due. The spirit and endurance in their gallant attack against determined opposition, their steadfastness under repeated counter-attacks and heavy shell and mortar fire, were beyond praise. This is more noteworthy after their hard fight earlier before Arezzo. Recent feats of the New Zealanders will have added to the pride which their people at home feel in the Division and to the laurels it had already won in Greece, Crete, and in the African campaign. ’ My best thanks to you, to your staff and brigade commanders, and all my best wishes. (Sgd.) OLIVER LEESE.’ “Wc have now- been fighting hard for nearly four years. Notwithstanding this, your Division continues to carry out the missions assigned to them. They never falter or fail to capture an objective or to hold a position once gained. Their conduct- in these operations, as always, has been well up to the standard that is expected of them. “We have moved to a relatively quiet sector which will give us time to absorb our reinforcements. All goes well here in Italy and the men have recovered from the strain that these operations have imposed on them.”