The Southland Times TUESDAY, JULY 13, 1943. The Veterans Come Home

Southland Times, Issue 25704, 13 July 1943, Page 4

The Southland Times TUESDAY, JULY 13, 1943. The Veterans Come Home

THE RETURN to New Zealand of “some thousands” of troops from the Middle East is one of the great occasions of the war. It was not a complete surprise. The future disposition of the division has been a favourite topic of conversation ever since the fighting ended in Tunisia. Carefully worded statements showed that the matter was being discussed officially; the Prime Minister hinted some time ago that the possibility of granting extended furlough to the long-service men was being earnestly considered. More recently the visit of Lieutenant-General Freyberg was accepted as a plain indication that the division would not be in action in the near future. And then, a few days ago, the word flew round with such a sound of positive assurance that the most conscientious attitude towards rumours could not prevent people from listening and wondering and hoping. At the week-end the secret was wearing thin, so that nobody was mystified when a cryptic special announcement was broadcast yesterday. By late afternoon the news was out. The invasion of Sicily moved into second place, at least for the time being, when it became known that these veterans of hard campaigns are at last 6n New Zealand soil. Most of them have been overseas for more than three years. They have fought in Greece, in Crete, in the fluctuating battles of Libya, and in the last great advance which ended in the hills above Tunis. Their exploits are known everywhere. To have become a shock division in what is conceded by experts to be probably the finest army in the world is a record of achievement which will be remembered with pride in this country. But the men themselves are not thinking today of battles, past and to come. They are thinking of more personal matters, of homes and families and the loved ones from whom they have been separated so long. Their homecoming is naturally a public event: the excitement of it cannot fail to spread like an electric current throughout the country. The people as a whole would have liked to give the men a collective welcome, and there may be regrets that this was not practicable. The Prime Minister has explained the difficulties, and even if these could have been overcome there was still one sufficient reason why dispersal could not be delayed. Men who have 1 een overseas for three years, in the midst of many dangers, could have had only one thought when the transport berthed —to get home as quickly as possible. If parades can be arranged later the public will welcome the chance to greet the veterans of the Middle East The important thing, however, is that the men have arrived. No twinge of conscience can disturb their homecoming. These men fought their way from early defeats to one of the great victories of the war. They have earned their rest. The war - is by no means ended, and thousands of New Zealand troops are still overseas. There are gaps in the first echelons, to be silently noted and remembered. But if happiness must always have its undertone of sadness it will none the less be taken gratefully. The country will rejoice in a foretaste of that ultimate reunion when the long task is over, and the troops come home to stay.