400
The acting Prime Minister of New Zealand to General Freyberg

The greatest interest and pleasure has been shown in New Zealand on the announcement of your appointment as Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Forces in Crete. I am sure that I am expressing the wishes of both the Government and the people in offering heartiest congratulations. The gravity of the situation is fully understood by the Government and they are confident that you and the men under your command will fulfil your difficult task as magnificently as you did in Greece.