NEW ZEALAND DIVISION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 11750, 10 February 1919, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND DIVISION.

RETIREMENT OF GENERAL RUSSELL. A WELL-DESBRYED EULOGY. From Captain Malcolm Eos«, Official War Correspondent with the New Zealand Forces in the Field, London, Feb 8 To-day General Russell severed his long and brilliant connection with the New Zealand Division. We have known him as a soldier of keen initiative, quick decision, and Itireleas energy, and above all, as a gallant leader. He himself has taken all the chances of war, in order that the welfare of his men should never fee left to chance. He wis known to almost every officer and man in the front line, and there is scarcely a yard of it over which he has not travelled. Frequently his visits to the line were more than exciting and he had many lucky escapes, his closest call feeing just after the battle of Mesein.es, when an enemy sniper grazed his stall With a bullet that went clean throagh hi? steel helmet. Somewhat of an idealist, Geperai Rnaeell yet managed, even in the most strenuous fco give his schemes for recreation and the education of the men a practical turn. The honours which came to him unsought, he wore with becoming modesty, regarding them largely in the nature of a tribute to the initiative and dauntless courage of the splendid officers and men it was his good fortune to command. As one who has watched his military career from the Gallipoli days onward, and has seen him in every battle the New Zealanders fought, from Sari Bair to Le Quesnoy, I may, now that he has left ns, express this tribute which I know is folly concurred in by every one in the division. All who are left regret his going, and ail who have ssrvei under him will wish him continued success in whatever sphere of life he may now engage in, Like many who have borne the continuous stress and strain of four years of war, his heart has suffered somewhat and it* is his intention, alter spending a brief holiday in Southern Franca, to return to New Zealand at the earliest opportunity.