THE Opunake Times Established 1894 Office: Fox St., Opunake. FRIDAY, JULY 25, 1947. MONTY

Opunake Times, 25 July 1947, Page 2

THE Opunake Times Established 1894 Office: Fox St., Opunake. FRIDAY, JULY 25, 1947. MONTY

TUMULTUOUS receptions have greeted the victor of El Alamein •in - both Australia and Now Zealand, a a Field Marshal Lord Montgomery _ has made his triumphal tour through the colonies. The famous black bend with its dual badge decoration denotes the great soldier whereever he goes, and to every member of the Eighth Army will ever serve as a symbol of affection and admiration. Visiting New Zealand for the first time ‘Monty’ as ho prefers to be known to his brothers-in-arms, is bore to reinforce the bonds that made the Empire ns one during the dark days of the German ascendancy. TTis presence conjures up memories of six years ago, when the shadow of the Swastika fell broadly across northern Africa, and when treachery stalked the Imperial Palace of King Farnnk in beleaguer! Alexandria. Dommcl, one of the few German generals who recognised chivalry in modern warfare, declared to his staff prior to Alamein, that in Montgomery lie considered he had for the first time mPt an opponent worthy of bis mettle. Just bow worthy he was. history has recorded in undeniable terms for when the " Allied armies wheeled into action at Alamein they initiated an advance which was not halted until Africa had been freed and the Nazi invaders swept behind the Austrian and Jugoslav oorders. The name of ‘Monty’ in the battles' of Normandy, Belgium and of Germany acted like a talisman to tbe Anglo-American armies under Eisenhower. Everywhere be went his presence was a stimulus and an inspiration. It became a legaid amongst fighting-men uiitT

it was known almost in every far-flung military unit attached to the cause of Democracy. But Monty won for himself something which not only stands blazoned amidst the -darkness of the war years, but something which also will stand for all time as a monument to a leader who showed a very human side to the troops who fought under him. Tlis life was always simple, and his habits moderate in every respect. He believed in straightforwardness, and could not abide cant and hypocracy. lie has said that physical fitness is ilie main at Inhale to modern soldiering and to this end set his face rigidly against abuses and excesses of every kind. Al.auy of bis old soldiers will recall the stiff code of physical training which he initlated for all ranks, when he (Continued fool of next column)

first took over supreme command in Africa, prior to tlie great advance. Many have lived to thank him warmly for it, for in numerous cases it meant their, very lives. The great British general visits us today not so much as a hero who has won the nation’s gratitude for all time, but as yet another instance of the remarkable leaders which N seemingly have been raised up by destiny In save and to give victory to the British peoples at almost every crucial moment in their history.