WORK OF ENGINEERS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 259, 29 July 1941, Page 6

WORK OF ENGINEERS

Little-Heard-Of Units

N.Z.E.F. Official News Sebvice. CAIRO, June 30.

War has its exciting moments, and there are so many army activities that are spectacular that to find men doing important work in a quiet, efficient way that wins admiration for its thoroughness brings home effectively how much an army depends on those who toil behind the scenes. In this class are units of the New Zealand Engineers, who are doing many jobs in the Western Desert, where they are held in high regard.

. It was a thrill to arrive in the former African pleasure resort of Mersa Matruh and find that if you wanted to know about the next train a New Zealander would put you right, because they run the forward section of the railway, supplying their own crews and station staffs. For months they have maintained a reputation for reliability, and when the story of the desert campaign is written the importance of this service will find its place. The supplying of water by land or sea is very important in country where it is as vital to the success of warfare as ammunition and heavy equipment. This is entrusted to the New Zealanders, who have for months been carrying on in areas where they have been detached from the Expeditonary Force. In another part of the fortress is established a detachment of /engineers specialized in the handling of roadmaking machinery. The nature of the work they are carrying out cannot be fully described, but it Is safe to say that the task would be too great to be done by hand, and the training that these men have had previously in New Zealand in civil employment is being turned to the best possible advantage. Just how much other units have come to rely on their help is apparent. The subaltern in charge, who was a civil engineer before the war, was explaining that his unit was probably the best known in the town, when an English major walked into the small room which serves as headquarters and sought help. There was a short discussion, and the officer went away assured that the New Zealanders could do what he wanted.

Much the same can be said of other small groups scattered at points for hundreds of miles along the coast; many soldiers have not seen another New Zealander for a long time, but they continue to work as long as there are tasks to complete.