SOLDIERS ON SKIS
_ 1,, | __ rr .^^ L ii in miiii ._ TRAINING IN SYRIA
(Official War Correspondent, N.Z.E.F.) BEIRUT, April 25.
The division 7 now lias the nucleus of a mountain formation in Syria, as a result of training which picked officers and men have had at the Ninth Army ski school, formerly the Australian ski school. This is the toughest training,any New Zealand troops have yet had—hours of long-distance skiing with packs and rifles, a high standard of fitness and endurance rather than racing. Early in March the first New Zealand students, arriving at the school nearly • 7000 feet high in the Lebanon Mountains, found the whole area deep in snow. There is now more rock than snow, but skiing is still possible for several weeks yet.
The instructing staff was increased by the best New Zealand pupils from ski and alpine clubs in Taranaki,- Ruapehu, and the South Island. At the end of a few weeks the skiers are expected to cover long distances at high altitudes without fatigue, to lead patrols, and fight the enemy wherever he is encountered. Only 18 New Zealanders up to date have failed to finish the course.
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Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 110, 12 May 1942, Page 4
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193SOLDIERS ON SKIS Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 110, 12 May 1942, Page 4
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