REVIEWED BY FREYBERG

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 28, 4 February 1943, Page 3

REVIEWED BY FREYBERG

WORK OF N.Z. DIVISION PART PLAYED IN CAPTURE OF TRIPOLI (P.A.) Christchurch, Feb. 2. “The capture of Tripoli completes the phase of successful fighting which started just three months ago. The enemy has been driven from Egypt, Cyrenaica, and Tripolitania. It is an important step, giving the Allies a naval base anti airfields and the complete relief of the hardpressed garrison of Malta. It also advances our aim of clearing the enemy from Africa and opening the Mediterranean, but before this is finally achieved decisive battles in Tunisia have yet to be fought.” This is stated in a telegram from Lieutenant-General Sir Bernard Freynerg, officer commanding the 2nd N.Z.E.F. in the Middle East, received by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, to-day in Christchurch. “The division is now resting in pleasant surroundings and taking advantage of the unlimited water supply to clean up after three months’ campaigning in the desert, with a short allowance of brackish water and hara battle rations,” said Lieut.-General Frey berg. “Fresh food and bread is now becoming available. The health of the force is excellent and their spirits are high. It has been a considerable source of satisfaction to all ranks to have played a part in capturing Tripoli, for so long a goal of the army in the Middle East.” Lieut.-General Freyberg’s telegram also said: “I have just returned from Tripoli along the division’s marked axis of advance. When we broke through at Alamein we marked our route With diamond signs on iron pickets. Since the first picket was driven in there on November 2 these signs have been set up at 700-yard intervals along a desert-thrust line for over 1400 miles. For the present the last picket stands in the main square of Tripoli. During the last operation we have covered 450 miles since leaving Sirte. As before we travelled self-contained in ammunition, petrol, water and food, and fullyequipped for desert movement. The Division formed the fast-moving left flank of the Eighth Army, ready to envelope the enemy should they stand and fight. The enemy showed no inclination to do so after the Buerat position was turned on January 15. Nevertheless the enemy manoeuvred with skill behind a series of rearguards and several brisk engagements took place between tanks and artillery on both sides. The enemy always withdrew, however, when we deployed. German bombers made several attacks on the advancing columns, but the Allied air force maintained air superiority, harrying enemy withdrawal by day and night. The chief obstacle to progress was the broken nature of the country, including precipitous wadis, soft hummocks, desert, and narrow defiles through the Jebel ranges. The enemy impeded our advance by demolitions and minefields. The engineers, however, cleared the mines, by-passed the demolitions and improved the mountain roads, and despite these and natural obstacles the advance was rapid. On January 23, eight days after the first engagement with the enemy, divisional cavalry and troops of the sth Infantry Brigade entered Tripoli. The speed of the advance undoubtedly upset the enemy schedule of demolitions, and minefields became fewer as we advanced, and important aerodromes were captured only partially obstructed, thus enabling our fighters and bombers to follqw up the enemy retreat without interruption.” The Prime Mniister has sent the following reply: “My colleagues and I are very grateful to you for your telegram and for your previous communications explaining the recent fighting. Will you please accept and convey to all under your command, officers, n.c.o.’s and men, the warmest congratulations of the Government and people of New Zealand on this new achievement of our division. We have watched your progress day by day with the greatest enthusiasm, and we share with you all the justifiable satisfaction in a job of war well done. Alamein to Tripoli will for all time be a proud battle honour in the annals of military history, and it is of profound significance in the present stage of the struggle for democratic freedom.”