The New Zealand Herald AUCKLAND, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1943 SECOND DIVISION IN ITALY

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24749, 24 November 1943, Page 2

The New Zealand Herald AUCKLAND, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1943 SECOND DIVISION IN ITALY

New Zealand feels proud and yet chastened at the news of her Second Division. Proud to think that the division has again been numbered among the elite by rejoining that most famous fighting organisation, the Eighth Army, and by serving under its renowned commander, General Montgomery. Chastened to reflect on the stern campaign ahead by contrast with the soft summer here. It is an entirely natural development to find, the division back with the Eighth Army. It is taking up the task temporarily laid down on May 12 at the gates of Tunis, the task of ejecting the enemy from his conquests and driving him to final and utter defeat. In the first 1500 miles of the drive through Egypt. Libya and Tunisia, it played a leading and manful part. Since then, while the division has been reorganised, refitted, reinforced and refreshed, the Eighth Army has travelled another 700 miles. It has crossed the Mediterranean to fight a way over Sicily and through Calabria and Apulia to its present front on the Adriatic 30 miles north of Rome. There, in the valley of the Sangro River, the New Zealanders have rejoined those of their Eighth Army comrades who are still fighting under Genei-al Montgomery. The reunion probably took place days or weeks ago, for it is certain the transfer of the division from Egypt to Italy and its incorporation in the Eighth Army would not be published until the Germans knew of its presence and posting, and we knew that they knew.

General Freyberg, whose care for his men is now a matter of personal knowledge to thousands nf parents, has been able to let them know of the provision being made for the troops' welfare at the Italian base. They have entered the campaign at a moment when there are reports of a pending attempt in force to break the deadlock in which the Fifth and Eighth Armies have been held owing to the assistance lent the defence by mountainous terrain and atrocious weather. Their entry has synchronised with the arrival in Italy of other troops, including large numbers of Canadians. The indications are that. General Alexander intends to force the issue, to change the "slow slogging up Italy" for a swift drive on Rome. Indeed, the Berlin radio reports that the expected large-scale offensive was launched by the Eighth Army on Monday morning. Until there is Allied confirmation, the enemy report should be accepted with reserve. General Freyberg says of the division that "all ranks are ready for our next role." He does not say what it is to be, but the division has won a high reputation in both attack and pursuit. Across the Sangro rises a high mountain barrier, and 25 miles beyond lies the Pescara River and the highroad to Rome from the east. First must come the storming of the barrier and then the exploitation of the Sulmona and Aquila Valleys, giving access to Rome—assault and then pursuit. This is the selfsame double task for which the high-powered and highly mobile New Zealand division was trained and chosen at El Alamein, and for which it may again have been reserved. The return of the Second Division to an active front follows close on the fighting engagements of the Third Division in the Solomons. The conjunction is renewing .the questioning in the public mind on New Zealand's war commitments. These apply not only to the Navy, Army and Air Force, but also in the field of supply. Daily it is becoming more apparent that New Zealand has undertaken far more than she can continue to perform. It is not so much a question of will, but of the actual manpower means. Eight months' ago, Ministers admitted in Parliamentary debate that two combat divisions could not be maintained overseas aftei the end of the year. That end is close at hand. Meantime, the Air Force establishment has been largely increased, and the expansion of the Navy goes on steadily. Parallel with these drains on a limited pool of manpower have developed huge demands for food supplies, superimposed on export commitments made to Britain four years ago and since renewed. As New Zealand cannot discharge all these commitments, they should be brought within her compass. The Prime Minister stated on September 1 that New Zealand cannot maintain two divisions overseas indefinitely, and that "within a period of months our troops in the Pacific will be used to strengthen the Second Division." One priority is here laid down, and New Zealand will heartily approve the decision to maintain a most efficient force in Europe. Growing world dearth should enforce another priority, the stepping-up of food production. All other commitments should at once be reconsidered in favour of these two highest priorities.