WARM PRAISE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 May 1944, Page 3

WARM PRAISE

FOR NEW ZEALAND PACIFIC FORCES. GIVEN BY AMERICAN .GENERAL. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, May 8. Appreciation of the service given by the New Zealand forces in the Pacific was expressed by Lieutenant-General Millard F. Harmon, commanding general of the United States Army forces in the South Pacific area, in an interview today. General Harmon has been in a notably good position to observe the work of the New Zealanders who have been fighting in the South Pacific area and he paid an obviously sincere tribute to what they have done and how they have done it. “As we all know,”- said General Harmon, “New Zealand Army forces cleaned up Vella Lavella, seized and occupied the Treasury Group and later made a very splendid reconnaissance of Green Island, which they followed by its capture and consolidation. Throughout the course of their operations they have performed their tasks in an outstandingly splendid manner. New Zealand officers, including the Divisional Commander, Major-General H. E. Barrowclough, have been given the same responsibilities of command as we vest in our own officers and they have carried them out as a part of the whole Allied force without regard to whether they belonged to the New Zealand forces or otherwise. “Their, part in the Solomons campaign,” said General Harmon, “has not only aided-materially in the accomplishment of our objectives, but has been a source of pride and gratification to us in the way they have dond it. Their own people are justified in^having equal pride in them. “The New Zealand Air Force also has made a very enviable reputation for itself. Your airmen have become noted for the fact that they do not worry about the jobs assigned to them. They accept their missions and go ahead and perform them with a very high degree of efficiency. “Most of your air strength in the

South Pacific has been in fighters. However, your men have also carried out a great deal of reconnaissance work and they have performed their duties in an equally outstanding manner.”