TROOPS IN EGYPT

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 37, 13 February 1941, Page 11

TROOPS IN EGYPT

MILITARY POLICY

DISPOSITION OF FORCES

MR. FRASER EXPLAINS

An outline of military policy so far \as it concerned the disposition ancl activities of the 2nd' New Zealand Expeditionary Force was given in an 'interview today by the Prime Minister (Mr, Fraser), when the question as to the part played by the New Zealand troops in recent operations in the Western Desert was discussed with him. The Prime Minister made it clear that the Government was anxious to all the information it possibly could about the troops in Egypt, but in doing so it had to be guided by the strict necessity for safeguarding the interests of the troops themselves.

Mr. Fraser said that the First Echelon was transferred to Egyp* to complete its trajning, but the Second Echelon was diverted to England because of the decision of Italy to enter the. war. The safe destination of > this section of our forces was a matter for decision and action by the British Admiralty.

. The troops in Britain had reached a high state of efficiency, and were placed in the Dover Command, ready to take a share in the defence of Britain. The part played, the bearing, and the conduct of the New Zealand troops in England evoked praise from General Sir Allen Brooke, Sir John I Dill, and Mr. Churchill. THIRD ECHELON. The Third Echelon reached Egypt lates in the year, and immediately commenced advanced training to bring them up to the required standard for war. Until this training was completed the Third Echelon could ndt be combined' with the First, and, as the Second Echelon was also absent from Egypt, the New Zealand Division could not be formed. It was never intended, nor was it desirable, that the New Zealand troops ' should be employed piecemeal, because if this course had been followed the New Zealanders would have been incorporated in some other formation and consequently have lost their identity. "Had the First Echelon, for instance, been employed in this way and suffered serious casualties, delay in the completion and employment of the division as a whole would have taken place. When the New Zealand Division is concentrated, and before it takes the field, it will be fully equipped as in the case of any other force," continued Mr. Fraser. "The equipment and employment of British forces in the bMiddle East is entirely in the hands of the War Office and the Comman-der-in-Chief in the Middle East, and •the order in which "formations are fully with war equipment, as distinct from training equipment, is determined according to the preparedness of the formations that have been brought to full strength in personnel and have completed their training." PART IN RECENT OPERATIONS; The Prime Minister pointed, out that in the recent operations sections of the New Zealand troops had played, highly important parts in transport, signalling, and patrol activities. "The conditions inseparable from war interfere with even the most perfect planning," he went on, "but ther£ can be no b doubt that the British commanders in the Middle East will continue to employ the forces at their disposal to the best advantage. "Neither can there be reasonable ground for any suggestion that ■ the Government and the War Cabinet have been complacent or careless regarding the disposition, equipment, or use of New Zealand troops iri Egypt. -These and all other related matters have received constant and unremitting attention at all times. "When the Government has been in a position to make statements regarding the disposition of troops it has immediately seized the opportunity. The Government cannot and will not consent to the publication of information which might be of value to the enemy, but it will never fail to take every precaution to protect the interests of the troops abroad. At the earliest possible moment, the public will have ample assurance that the troops in the Middle East are not only fully equipped and training but that they are capable of upholding the splendid record of New Zealand soldiers in the last war. . "The Government will continue to give the public all the information possible regarding the men who. worthily represent New Zealand in the theatres of war."