GRIM FIGHTING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25563, 16 June 1944, Page 2

GRIM FIGHTING

SHELUTORN CASSINO TRIBUTES TO NEW ZEALANDERS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, June 15. Two copies of the European edition of the United States Army weekly Yank, which is a splendidly produced and illustrated 24-page paper, were received this week by the Director of Publicity, Mr J. T. Paul, from Captain E. C. Webber, public relations officer, 2nd N.Z.E.F. They contain feature stories dealing with the New Zealand Forces, and the articles provide further evidence of the high regard in which the New Zealanders are held as fighting men. One article is a descriptive story giving a vivid account of the game of nerves in which the New Zealanders were engaged in the bitter fighting that took place in difficult terrain before the Germans were finally driven out of shell-torn Cassino. Another article describes the capture of Green Island by the-troops of the Third New Zealand Division in the Pacific, mentioning by the name and number the New Zealanders who took part. The article on the New Zealanders at Cassino was published in all editions of Yank, including the parent edition in the United States.

Two other army papers received with Yank were a copy of the Italian edition of Stars and Stripes, another American Army publication, and a copy of the Eighth Army News, also from Italy. The latter features General Freyberg’s account, which was published in New Zealand some weeks ago, of the fighting in which the New Zealanders participated at Cassino. The introduction to the general’s report states: “All the Eighth Army men, mindful of the distinguished record of the New Zealand troops dating back to the early days in the desert, will read with pride this official account of Kiwi gallantry in the grim battle for Cassino and 'Monastery Hill.”

The copy of Stars and Stripes contains an article by a staff correspondent, headed, “Kiwis fighting in Italy add new lustre to the brilliant record of a democratic army.” It pays a tribute to the pei'formances of the New Zealand forces and gives a brief description of New Zealand, its people, and some aspects of life in the Dominion. Referring to the New Zealanders at Cassino, the article states: “The valour of the New Zealand soldiers fighting in the terrible holocaust of Cassino. will become a tireless chapter in the story of the struggle against German tyranny.”