PRAISE FOR N.Z. DIVISION

Southland Times, Issue 25666, 8 May 1945, Page 4

PRAISE FOR N.Z. DIVISION

BRITISH COMMANDERS IN ITALY IP A ) WELLINGTON, May 7. The Governor-General, Sir Cyril Newall, has received the following reply to his message to Field-Marshal Sir Harold Alexander on the unconditional surrender of the German forces in Italy and western Austria:— Thank you for your kind message. No one has a greater share in the credit for this victory than your New Zealand Division, winch fought so well for so long.

The acting Prime Minister, Mr Nash, has received the following message from Lieutenant-General Sir Richard McCreery, commander of the Sth Army in reply to the telegram of congratulations sent him on the occasion of the surrender of the German forces in the Italian theatre: —

Thank you for your generous message. The 2nd New Zealand Division, under the splendid leadership of Lieutenant-General Sir Bernard Freyberg, has decisively shared in our last Bth Army offensive, which destroyed the Gentian armies in Italy. Your division inflicted very heavy losses on some of the enemy’s best troops and paratroops. The division led the left spearheads of the attack the whole way from the river Senio to the Po and since has conducted a relentless pursuit to Trieste. All ranks have shown a magnificent offensive spirit, skill _ and endurance. For the result obtained, casualties have fortunately been comparatively light. It has been a great honour to me to have the 2nd New Zealand Division under my command as part of the Bth Army.