NOVEL RELAY RACE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 48, 26 February 1941, Page 11

NOVEL RELAY RACE.

TROOPS iN ASSAULT BOATS.

NEW ZEALANDERS ON THE NILE. (From Robin T. Miller. Official War Correspondent with the New Zealand Forces in the Middle East.) CAIRO. February 24. A carnival scene on the Kiver Nile provided a fresh example of the flavour of novelty with which the intensive training of the Expeditionary Force has been spiced. In a full day's water sports the troops cheered representative teams to victory through a series of races in which army bridging equipment was used exclusively. — Culminating * period of bridging training by day and night, this unique regatta introduced a competitive element as a mean* of perfecting skill and confidence in handling reconnaissance and assault boats designed for the transportation of troops across waterways. Having held eliminating trials to select teams, the units gave an interesting and instructive programme of events, which was based on the regular operations for which the craft were intended. For instance, the main event, which was an assault boat relay race, might have been a demonstration of infantry sections crossing a river to go into action on the far bank.

The boat crews showed an excellent standard, but one provided unscheduled entertainment when they collided with a native sailer in the muddy Nile.