BACK IN ENGLAND

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 150, 28 June 1943, Page 5

BACK IN ENGLAND

KING’S TOUR ENDED NIGHT FLIGHT HOMEWARDS (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) London, June 26, The King returned to England from North Africa and Malta at 4 a.ni. yesterday. The King was in splendid spirits when he stepped from his plane, and he said it had been a magnificent trip. Group Captain E. H. Fielden, captain oi King s Flight, and who accompanied His Majesty, said they had had a perfect flight. His Majesty slept’all night on the homeward journey. The plane left North Africa last night and flew without a stop to England. An escort of four American Airacobras accompanied the plane over the African coast, and an escort of tea Spitfires picked up the plane over England early this morning. The pilot said that altogether the King had flown more than 5000 miles since he left England, and that, they did not see a single German plane in the air the whole time. The plane arrived ahead of schedule and the King waited at an R.A.F. mess till Mr. Churchill arrived shortly afterwards. Before leaving Algiers His Majesty, with General Giraud in his car and Generals de Gaulle, Georges, Cairo ux, and Juin walking behind, inspected French troops, and also the 51st Highland Division. The King was farewelled by Gen erals Eisenhower and Alexander and Admiral Cunningham. The King left London by car yesterday afternoon with the Queen to join the Princesses in the country. During his short stay at Buckingham Palace he had talks with Mr. Winston Churchill and members of the Cabinet. VISIT TO N.Z.E.F. HOSPITAL (N.Z.E.F. Official News Service.) Cairo, June 24. For the first time since he saw the second contingent training in England three years ago, the King this week visited a unit of the 2nd N.Z.E.F. Only a few miles from where Mr. Churchill spoke to thd N<f / Zealand Division near Tripoli. His Majesty saw our most forward general hospital, in which many hundreds of wounded men from the Eighth Army’s Tunisian battles have been attended in recent months. The hospital stands on brown, sun-baked fields at the edge of Tripoli’s orchard district. After speaking briefly with Colonel Gower, commanding officer of the hospital, the King drove slowly along the road through cheering lines of New Zealand sisters and nurses, and other members of the staff, and some of the patients. In a long day of visiting and inspecting units of the Eighth Desert Air Force, the King met representatives of all the Dominions. This was the second visit a member of the Royal Family has made to New Zealanders in the Middle East. Early last year the Duke of Gloucester 'inspected formations of the Division in Syria. ANNOUNCED BY KING FIRST SERVICE MEDALS Recd. 6 p.m. Rugby, June 26. The issue of the first two Service medals of the present war is announced by the King. They are the Africa Star for the African victory, and the j 939-43 Star, which had their counterpart in the last war hi the Mons Star and the 1914-15 Star. The King, in a message to General Eisenhower, said that the 1939-43 Star would be the reward of those in the services who had taken part in the hard fighting in other theatres of war. “During the long years of the North African campaign, with its fluctuating fortunes,” said the King, “it was my constant hope that 1 might one day be able to see for myself the scenes of some of the famous hardfought battles, and still more, those who have taken part in them. My wish has now been gratified and it has been my happy experience to be the bearer of congratulations of all the peoples of the Empire on a victory which will shine in military history. “Throughout the tour, it afforded me intense pleasure to see the hardened men of the three British Services, veterans of the Libyan Desert as well as comrades from the west, in such high spirits and good health, and to realise that they were working in the closest harmony, not only with each other, but with the forces of the Allies both in and out of battle. Confidence Increased. “Moreover, everything I saw when privileged to be the guest of our United States and French Allies served only to strengthen my confidence in the complete final victory of the United Nations. Heavy tasks still lie before our armies in North Africa, but it is plain to me that nothing will stop the gallant men of the United Nations wiio have already triumphed over so much. To these men and their skilful commanders 1 would ask you to express my gratitude for the past, and my heartfelt good wishes for the future.” L..OAV.