ANZACS' EXAMPLE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23954, 2 May 1941, Page 8

ANZACS' EXAMPLE

LESSONS FROM GREECE DUTY OF THOSE AT HOME PROTECTION OF DOMINION (0.C.) GIS BO 11NE, Thursday ''We older men knew that the young New Zealnuders would turn up trumps when they were put to the test in Greece," said Major-General R. Young, Dominion commander of the Home Guard, addressing the Gisborne borough battalion. "They have done all and more than wo could have expected of them. They took a knock, a hard knock, but they gave the Nazis a knock too. "They gave the enemy something to remember and proved to anybody who might he thinking of tackling New Zealand in her own backyard that there is nothing decadent about us. The men who have been lighting in Greece have left to us the obligation of keeping their country intact while they are abroad. Impression on Other Nations "You can imagine that one nation not at present in the war but whose intentions have caused a good deal of concern will have been watching the deeds of the Anzacs with a lot of interest. It is quite possible that the impression made by the Anzacs in the Grecian campaign will have given all likely enemies food for thought. It is even possible that by their magnificent show in Greece the New Zealand Division has saved this country from a great deal of trouble." The deeds of the Anzacs had placed on those who were too old to join them or had too many responsibilities to be allowed to serve abroad the obligation to see that their homes and families were protected, Major-General Y umg said. That was the special obligation which had led to the organisation ol the Home Guard, and he was proud to say that throughout the country men were training for the day when they might be called upon to defend its shores. Psychological Weapons Major-General Young voiced a warning against, any tendency to relax which might develop if as time went on nothing definite happened to test the efficiency of the Moiiy Guard. I raining must go on as it had in Kngland. Threats and delays were among the psychological weapons of potential invaders, the speaker added, and they counted on the probability that defence organisations might pass their peak of efficiency and fall away because there was "nothing doing" for a time. His advice to members of the Homo Guard was to stick to their jobs, do everything possible to make themselves lit and efficient, and maintain their interest in their units. Their capacity to do so would be tested possibly before their capacity to beat off an enemy came into the question