AFTER GRIM DAYS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 24030, 30 July 1941, Page 6

AFTER GRIM DAYS

DIVISION CONFIDENT GENERAL'S MESSAGE TRIBUTE APPRECIATED FIRM FAITH IN SUCCESS (8.K.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday "Confident in our cause and in ourselves, and strengthened now by the support of those at home, the New Zealand Division ,is preparing to meet the enemy' again," states a cable message from Major-General B. C. Freyberg, V.C., General Officer Commanding the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force, received to-day by the actingPrime Minister, tho Hon. W. Nash. The general's message in reply to the motion adopted by both Houses of Parliament last month was read to the House of Representatives to-night by Mr. Nash. It is as follows: — Valour ol All Ranks

"The most generous and inspiring motion adopted by both Houses of Parliament has been published to tho New Zealand Division. Would you please convoy to both Houses our grateful thanks for the motion, the terms of which are deeply appreciated by all ranks.

"Would you please convey my respectful duty to the General Assembly and say how proud I am as commander of the New Zealand Division in the knowledge that your tribute to the valour of Maori and pakelia on the battlefields of Greece and of Crete was deserved by all ranks. We hope to achieve a record as honourable as that of the first New Zealand Expeditionary Force.

"May I also pay tribute to our gallant comrades who liavo fallen, and would you convey to the people of New Zealand who are sorrowing our deepest sympathy. May I thank Parliament also for personal messages of confidence. I will endeavour to deserve it.

"We have been through ordeals and grim days, and there might be other grim ones ahead, but we have no doubt of the ultimate success of our cause. Again our most grateful thanks. Kia ora, katoa." t A Personal Explanation

Replying to a message sent on June 2 expressing the Dominion's sincere thanks for his magnificent work in Crete, Major-General Freyberg said:—

"I am very distressed to find I never acknowledged your message of June 2, which was overlooked in that time of anxiety and reorganisation. Mr. Fraser read the message to us on parade here and I need hardly say how deeply touched we were by its warm sincerity.

"All were then in an advanced state of exhaustion. Wo had been from May 25 to May 30 without sleep and in a state of, grave anxiety. Written Message Found

"Our office organisation in the division was non-existent, and in moving back to Belwan the written message was lost. In searching through the Middle East cipher messages for the purposes of writing the despatch on Crete the message was found. As you know, I have always tried to answer correspondence with despatch. "Will j'ou, if possible, at this late hour, if you think advisable, explain our difficulties and say how grateful we all were to the Government and people of New Zealand for their unfailing support and kindness, and say also that I personally will try to deserve some of the confidence placed in me."