Praise For Morale Of N.Z. Troops

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31187, 11 October 1966, Page 1

Praise For Morale Of N.Z. Troops

The morale of the New Zealand combat soldier overseas was described as “terrific” by Staff Sergeant N. A. Bell, of the Southern Military District’s recruiting and information staff, in Christchurch yesterday.

Sergeant Bell returned at the week-end after a three months and a half journey of 20,000 miles through seven South-east Asian countries to obtain information on the soldier overseas for use in recruiting. He has brought home artifacts, implements and clothing from each of the countries he visited. In addition, he has 900 photographs, including 400 coloured slides. Sergeant Bell said the New Zealand Battery in Vietnam was settling in to its new base at Nui Dat, 45 miles south of Saigon where it was part of the Australian task force. “At Bien Hoa they operated in support of American field operations; now they have been engaged in support of No. 6 Battery of the Royal Australian Infantry Regiment,” he said. The New Zealanders’ new home is in a rubber plantation where the men are living under canvas. Although the men have little real contact with the Vietnamese they have found quick acceptance

by the local children,” said Sergeant Bell. “Where the boys are now is near Vung Tau, which in the days of French rule was the riviera of Vietnam.” Sergeant Bell said it must be hot work in a new camp as he was told the New Zealanders consumed about 600 cans of soft drink a day. The New Zealanders and Australians when not in the field took part in a “hearts and minds” campaign, he said. This involved teaching the Vietnamese elementary hygiene and providing medical treatment of a minor nature. He arrived in Borneo to visit the Ist Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, on September 10—the day after the IndonesianMalayasian peace agreement was signed. The battalion returned to Terendak Camp, Malacca, in the first week of October.

Sergeant Bell said that the troops were being kept abreast of local news in New Zealand. Relatives and families supplied them with news cuttings and mail was being received more regularly.