DIVISION REVIEWED

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24825, 23 February 1944, Page 6

DIVISION REVIEWED

VEHICLE MARCH FAST FIRST SINCE TRIPOLI OT.Z.E.F'. Official War Correspondent) FIFTH ARMY FRONT, Feb. 0 As a result of the secret move, about a fortnight ago, which switched the New Zealand Division from the other side to this theatre of war, our troops had a short spell from gunfire and snow, but it was not any holiday, there was training in plenty and much work on the transport of weapons and armour to oceupv their time. As many as possible had a day's leave to visit places of interest. Lieutenant-General Sir Bernard I'reyberc, V.C., commanding the New Zealanders. took advantage of the spell to review "the artillery, armoured and mfantrv units. After inspecting one in-j fan try formation, Genera Prey berg, said: "Before El Alamein, when General] Montgomery inspected this unit, be, said that generals require inspiration as much as the men. I confess that; I am very much impressed and inspired bv what ! have seen to-day. "The inspection took place in a picturesque setting of ploughed fields witn oak trees and the white walls of ancient ruins close by. In accordance with the policy expressed by the general, the parade was held without rehearsal, lhe march-past was an impressive spectacle, particularly considering that, two days before, the men were engaged ill conflict. General Freyberg paid a tribute to the nursing sisters of the casualty clearing station who were present as spectators. H.e said that for long their organisation had been regarded as an army establishment. He was glad to see them with their division, to which they rightly belonged, and would like to see them in the divisional parade itself "on the right of the line.'' The armoured formation formed up ill a large field, over which towered snowcapped hills. General Freyberg congratulated the men on the manner in which they had overcomes great difficulties in the Sangro battle. The experience they had gained, although hard won, would be of much value to them. He referred to the hiprh esteem in which they were held by other units. Near by, in wide, grassy pasture lands, the men of the New Zealand Artillery paraded with all guns and vehicles'. The general commended the gunners on their sterling work in the Italian and previous campaigns. The men marched past in column of troops, after which came a spectacular review of the guns and fighting vehicles. It was the first vehicle march-past since the "Victory March" which Mr. Churchill saw near Tripoli, just a year ago, and it gave just as clear an impression of the efficiency and striking power of the division. SENTENCED TO DEATH TERRORISTS IN FRANCE ! i MEN OF LIBERATION ARMY (Reed. 7.30 p.m.) LONDON* Feb. 21 A German court-martial in Paris trying 24 terrorists sentenced 23 to death and handed them over to French justice, says the German news agency. The agency added that members of this organisation were charged with j 52 crimes, killing 150 persons and wounding 600. Almost all the sabotage attempts against railway establishments in Paris and neighbourhood last year and almost all the attacks against inarching columns of the German Army were due to the activities of this group. Twenty-two of the accused were foreigners who were formerly members of the International Brigade, which fought on the side of the Republicans in the Spanish civil war. They claimed that tuey had acted as soldiers of the French Army of Liberation. WIRELESS SETS TAKEN FRENCH POLICE OFFICERS (Reed. 6.35 p.m.) LONDON, f* el). '2l Police officers and prefectures throughout France have been deprived of tiieir wireless sets lost they render assistance to the Allies in the forthcoming invasion, according to reports reaching London. It is also reported that German soldiers in the future are to fire without warning on solitary persons found wearing the uniform of the Vichyite Youth Movement, in which men of the Maquis (Patriots) are alleged to have disguised themselves fur their reporit attacks against German soldiers LEMONS IN LONDON SUPPLIES FROM SICILY (Reed. 5.H5 p.m.) LONDON, Fob. 21 The Allied occupation of Sicily has brought lemons back to London's fruit shops. Londoners had not seen lemons since the first year of the war until, today. when they appeared unexpectedly. Long queues quickly formed outside Fruiterers' shops and the first stocks were bought up by the early afternoon. The remainder of the shipment of 10,000,000 lemons will be released in the next few days.