OPERATIONS CEASED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 4 August 1945, Page 4

OPERATIONS CEASED

N.Z. DIVISION IN ITALY CftMP AT LAKE TRASIMENO TRIESTE HANDED TO OCCUPATION • TROOPS (Official War Correspondent N.Z.E.F) Lake Trasimeno, August 1. After nearly three months around Trieste, the New Zealand Division has now ceased operations and handed over to the occupation troops, and during the past week thousands of vehicles which carry our troops have made their way nearly 500 miles south to an area in central Italy around Lake Trasimeno, near which we were fighting a year ago. The New Zealandorg have thus severed their association with the European theatre and with the Eighth Army, which has now ceased to exist. There is still no indication, however, of tlie probable duration of our stay in Italy, or of what role the Division will play in any future theatre of war. While life in Trieste, particularly in the latter stages, was by no means unpleasant. there were very few men who were not glad to be on the move again, especially as this time the distance covered appeared to be for many at least the first stage of the long journey home. As the trucks swung through Trieste i in brilliant sunshine with loads of bronzed New Zealanders, unconventional as ever as to dress and appearance, and out along the magnificent highway skirting the gulf, there were many backward glances to the- city which will always have memorable associations for the Division. But for all that most of the men were looking forward to the future. The route followed by convoys lay over the old battlegrounds of the concluding campaign in Italy and down the Adiiatic coast to Rimini. Now only odd scattered groups of New Zealand graves remain as reminders of the bitter fighting over all this area that culminated In the final victorious dash to Trieste. The route was through familiar country all the way and when the convoys turned off the coast road to Falconara and headed west, the night was spent at Fabriano in which district the Division has twice enjoyed rest periods in pleasant surroundings and among extremely hospitable people. Then came the wellknown road over the Apennines and the run through Foiigno. Assisi and Perugia to Lake Trasimtno. The journey , which was made in easy stages, occupied in all four days and the troops have soon settled in their new surroundings.