MR FRASER IN EGYPT

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24279, 9 June 1944, Page 4

MR FRASER IN EGYPT

VISIT TO TROOPS IN TRAINING (Official Nsws'Service.)

CAIRO. June 7. The Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) to-day watched New Zealanders going through a strenuous battle innoculauon course on sunbaked desert hills near Maadi camp. He saw them rushing supposed German defences under live machinergun fire, and past explosions simulating shellfire, , „ , . A realistic attack was staged for him on a full-scale village which the New Zealand Expeditionary Fore' has had built on a hilltop for training in' street fighting and assaulting. The town was converted in German fashion to heavily defended strongpoints. Here again realism was sought and achieved by the use of detonators, smoke-bombs, and harmless, though noisy, boobytraps. Some of the instructors were newly back from Italy, where they had taken part in the Cassino fighting, arid Mr Fraser was greatly impressed with the thorough introduction to battle conditions which the new troops were receiving. The Prime Minister also took the salute at a smart ceremonial parade of men under training, inspected their training facilities, and watched other demonstrations. He visited the Maadi tent and the Kiwi Club. Helwan, and thanked voluntary helpers for their generous interest in New Zealanders since the early months of the war. He then inspected a New Zealand general hospital.