LACK OF MAIL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 172, 22 July 1940, Page 5

LACK OF MAIL.

N.Z.E.F. IN EGYPT.

TROOPS' ONE COMPLAINT. BANANA "BOMBARDMENT." Interesting sidelights on service conditions in Egypt are given by an Auckland member of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in a recently-written letter to relatives.

"I must first of all voice my one and only complaint—lack of mail. For two months now no one here has received any mail," writes the soldier. "One of the main topics in Cairo is the fact that oranges and grapefruit are out of season, Blso the news that cucumbers and melons are in season. The vendors volunteer this information every dozen or so steps you take. I once mentioned that a third of the population sell oTanges and grapefruit. Please substitute melons and cucumbers.

••It foil to my lot to hand out an 'over' issue of bananas. There must have been at least nine or ten per man. As we were not able to consume them, everyone decided they would make ideal ammunition. The result of the bombardment can be left to the imagination.

"I have witnessed the spectacular sight of anti-aircraft fire at night. It was a very good show, but it was spoilt by the lateness of the hour, as we were all asleep 10 minutes before.

•Italy's action in entering the war so] soon was very unsportsmanlike as iti put a stop to my fortnight's holiday in Alexandria. Nevertheless, things' are lunch more interesting these days.

"New Zealand is by far the best country. The temperature here is 110 <?i •rices in the shade. Do not complain ■ bout the rain. We have all decided here that when we arrive back home we are going to pray for days and days of wet weather, and stand out in it with aii umbrella folded up." ' j