Documents Relating to New Zealand's Participation in the Second World War 1939–45: Volume I
451 — The acting Prime Minister to General Freyberg
451
The acting Prime Minister to General Freyberg
The following statement alleged to have been made by a New Zealand soldier returned from the present war is at present being; given currency here:
The only drawback was that they could not shoot owing to the limited equipment used in their training.
A further statement is:
The men in Greece and Crete were splendid specimens but the tragedy was that they could not handle a rifle.
An immediate statement from you which could be used in refutation would be much appreciated.