WAR IN ITALY

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25085, 26 December 1944, Page 4

WAR IN ITALY

OFFICER'S COMMENTS

FANATICAL GERMANS

The- German'.soldiers were becoming more and more fanatical ae the war progressed, said Major K. L. Brown, D.iSiO., who returned to Auckland on Sunday on furlough from the Middle East. Their fanatical stubbornness was particularly demonstrated in the battles around Cassino and Orsoena. They were very capable and determined and every bit of ground won by the Allies was won at a fair cost toj the Germans in manpower. Although the.enemy had changed from the manufacture of offensive to defensive equipment there were no indications of either a shortage of.it or of inferior quality, Major Brown continued. Many of their new Panther tanks were found broken down mechanically south of Rome, but this was probably a defect which was remedied in,the light,of experience. Health of Division , The New Zealand Division was by now well acclimatised to the tvpe of warfare in Italy, which was different from that of the desert, said Major Brown. While the principles were the saine the application of them was entirely different. The health of the division was amazingly good and very effective measures were being taken to [combat malaria.

There were no soldiers' clubs in the Middle East, better than those of the New Zealanders and those at Bari and Rome were particularly good. Major Brown paid a tribute to the Tuis who were engaged in the administration _of the clubs. He referred to the restriction which forbade non-commissioned ranks the privilege of staying overnight in Rome and said that as much transport a/s possible was always released pt> convey troops to the club, and a transit camp just outside Rome was provided. The troops were thus given the best opportunities in the circumstances of sight-seeing in the city. The fighting qualities of the French Expeditionary Corps which was serving in Italy "with the Fifth Army were highly praised by Major Brown, who said that the corps' bre^ak-th rough in the Liri Valley, near Cassino, was a brilliant achievement. Most famous of the troops in the corps were the French Goums, coloured North African soldiers. Adventures in Crete' Major Brown, who is a son of Mr Forrest-Brown, of 79 Remuera Road, left New Zealand with the First Echelon and has taken part in every campaign of the division with the exception of the Tunisian campaign. He was commissioned before he left New Zealand. He was with Greek forces which were surrounded by German paratroops in Crete was captured, but escaped the.same day and rejoined the Imperial Forces. He was awarded the Greek Military Cross for his services. In 1948 he was mentioned in despatches and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for gallant and distinguished services in Italy last October. Early this year he attended a course in England. Three of hi§ four brothers are, or been on service with the armed forces. One is in the Royal Australian Air Force, one is with the Royal New Zealand Nayal Volunteer Reserve overseas and the other was invalided home wounded after service with the Second Division and discharged.

RECTOR OF WAITAKI j BRIGADIER BURROWS ! RETURN FROM OVERSEAS Brigadier J. T. Burrows, who was recently appointed rector of Waitaki Boys' High School, in succession to the late Mr F. Milner, returned to New Zealand by flying-boat on Sunday. Brigadier Burrows, who has served continuously with the New Zealand Division since he enlisted in 1939 on the outbreak of war, left the Dominion with the rank of was appointed brigadier in August *of this year. His record is one of outstanding merit; together with conspicuous personal gallantry. In addition to being awarded the D.5.0., he has twice been mentioned in despatches. Brigadier Burrows left? for the south by - train op Sunday night and expects to take up his. new appointment in February.

RAIN PROMOTES GROWTH AMPLE FEED IN WAIKATQ (0.C.) HAMILTON, Monday The rainfall For December < to dato has totalled 5.56ih., as against the average fall for December in Hamilton of 3.44 in. Fine weather has been experienced during the last week, and temperatures have become appreciably warmer. The rains have been of incalculable benefit in promoting pasture growth in the Waikato, and although haymaking was delaved by the wet weather, it is now well under way and excellent crops are being gathered. Paspalum grass has made strong growth under the influence of the- rain and farmers who have, it in their paddocks are assured of ample feed supplies in the autumn. The prospects for production period for the remainder of the season are good, and the output should be much in , excess of that for the 1943-44 season.

r- DOMESTIC SERVICE ;. .. | • NO DIRECTION OF GIRLS (QIC.) CHRISTCHUECH, Saturday The Minister of Healthy Mr Nordmeyer, stated ;in an interview that it was not intended that the manpower authorities • should direct girls into domestic, .service, for circumstances differed bo much in individual homes and the relationship between master and servant was so intimate that it was not considered domestic service should be service, into which girls should be directed. ' . As to the supply of girls for the work, added the Minister," steps were being taken to ensure that' as soon as'the Requirements of munition manufacture and the armed, forces tapered qff girls might bo encouraged to enter the domestic aid field. A conference was held in Wellington be.tween of leading women's Organisations and the Army in order that girls who were finishing'their service. in; the Army and who were regarded as suitable for domestic aid'work ? light }>e interviewed, for the purpose f encouraging<them to enter the dohiestifei;"aid; field.•. > , ' \. . , , w^ : Jntonded to improve generally the conditions under which., domestic? aids worked, but initially it was reoognised that - there would have ! to bC.a. cejrtain amdunt.of elasticity, said the Minisler.. when a?ked if hours, days off arid nature of accominodation provided'for : girls in bomes would be fixed. approved organisation,". ■ Mr Nprdpteyer'Sl reply to, a . query whether" an a'porored. organisation or a Government official would decide: who could pay in full yOr only part of the icost. of." domestic assistance* '.A ~l ,i. i '•••. I . j .U . i .