DOMINION ENTERS WAR

Evening Star, Issue 23499, 13 February 1940, Page 4

DOMINION ENTERS WAR

Modem Troopship Accommodation Perfect Summer Day for Departure (From our Correspondent.) The First Echelon of New Zealand’s second Expeditionary Force left harbour in the quiet methodical fashion which seems to characterise most of the big efforts in this strange war. There were no bands, no flags, no public farewells at the last moment, and comparatively few spectators of an event which is history. It was in the preceding few days that public enthusiasm had opportunities for expression. The harbour became a fascinating centre of interest to the public. Never before in its history had there been so impressive a gathering of great ships. A STRONG ESCORT One recalled the anxious wait of weeks before the 1914 Expeditionary Force could leave harbour with adequate protection from the Navy. This time there was no concern. Berthed at an outer wharf was the splendid battleship Eamillies with its personnel of over a thousand men. Druing her stay in harbour she flew a great banner stretched from one mast to the other, carrying the heartening message: “ Well done, Achilles!” With the arrival of the Canberra, flagship of the Royal Australian Navy, the great flotilla was complete, and, as liberal leave was given to the men of the Navy, the city became transformed; its streets alive with welcome visitors, who provided by their presence more direct and visible evidence than hitherto of the operation of a world war, and the contrast between peaceful New Zealand and the tumult on the other side of the world. Recruiting for the Expeditionary Force was effectively stimulated by all this evidence of the reality of a great conflict which to many had seemed remote and unconnected with their lives. MEN AND FOOD When war broke out, the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, adequately voiced the sentiments of New Zealanders in declaring without qualification that all the resources of the Dominion were at the disposal of the Mother Country in the conflict. And the flotilla which left our shores bore the practical evidence of that resolve. For many days prior to the sailing, all the transports had been at the loading berths taking aboard wool, meat, and dairy produce. So much first-class shipping had been made available to the Dominion by the British authorities that all its soldiers were provided with normal passenger accommodation for their journey. So this first war flotilla to leave for the centre of operations carried the men, and the food, for the Allies. • "WE WENT TO THE WRONG WAR!" In the busy days prior to embarkation of the troops, many people were able to inspect the splendid ships, and see the quarters provided for the men. Everyone was struck by the fact that excepting in one minor instance where the upper hold of a liner had been extemporised for bunks, every man in the Expeditionary Force went away in ordinary passenger accommodation, and in the case of the exception, they enjoyed the full use of the liner’s public rooms, and its dining accommodation. Some amusing stories were told by jubilant soldiers when they found their location on the ships. Lucky non-commissioned officers sometimes discovered that they were to share spacious cabins, with a bathroom suite attached, while all the rank and file had recourse to the comfortable smoke-rooms and other amenities. Returned soldiers who went to see how the ‘‘ diggers ” of the present generation were going to fare were amazed at the luxury of the troopship of 1940, and one, of them, recalling the old-time berths, deep down in the hold, remarked jocularly to the Minister of Defence : “We made a mistake, sir. We went to the wrong war I” In the regular troopships the men slept in hammocks, and those who inspected the quarters declared that they were more airy than cabin berths. THE EMBARKATION Embarkation commenced on the day prior to departure. Members of the Expeditionary Force trained at Ngaruawahia and Papakura arrived early on the morning before in special trains which ran to the ship's side, and they went straight to their sea quarters. A proposal to parade the Northern men had to be abandoned, for they could not have marched immediately after the long night journey, and there was not much time to spare before they could get their bearings on the transports. Within a few hours they were viewing the city from mid-harbour, the ships having moved out to the anchorage, where the opportunity was taken of putting everyone through the safety routine, including boat drill. The Trentham men also arrived in trains going straight to the wharf, and by the afternoon all the transports were in midharbour. Opportunities for the next of kin were limited, but thousands of their friends and well wishers got fleeting chances before the ships left the wharves, and there was a tremendous congestion of motor cars in all the streets adjacent. The most moving farewell was witnessed by the officers and men of the Ramillies. They were entertaining a party of Maoris, who early in the afternoon were giving their hosts a vivid performance of hakas and other dancep. Suddenly they broke off and ran to the stern of the battleship. There they got a close view of a transport backing out into the stream, and spontaneously all the Maoris sang a plaintive lament and farewell. Their English listeners were impressed, and one of the officers said that although they could not understand the language, the sentiment was so obvious and heartfelt that it brought a lump to one’s throat.

The final official visit to the transports was paid while they were at anchor. The party included the Deputy Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) and Mrs Fraser, the Minister of Defence (Mr Jones} and Mrs Jones, Sir Harry Batterbee, British High Commissioner in New Zealand, General Duigan (Officer Commanding New Zealand Forces), and a number of departmental heads. A QUIET DEPARTURE The day of sailing was bright and cloudless—a perfect New Zealand summer day. Dawn broke with the transports still at anchor in perfect formation, line abreast, and the first sign of activity came when the cruiser Canberra moved quietly out from the quay—no bands and no flags—and made down harbour at a good speed. The troopships raised anchor according to a well-spaced time-table, the Canberra being out of sight before the first got under way. One by one the big ships disappeared into the sunlit haze of early morning, and finally the Eamillies backed out from the wharf and took up a position at the rear of the line.

At 7.30 a.m. the ships were going through the heads, Canberra leading, and the transports following, and after them the Eamillies, but as soon as the battleship reached open water she rapidly steamed along the line of transports. The spectacle was impressive, and the serious purpose behind it was all the more accentuated by the absence of banners and cheering. However, there was one well organised display of enthusiasm, the Home Defence men who keep watch at the outer forts turning out at full strength—numbers and lungs—to give their departing comrades a great round of cheers; and the acknowledgment could be heard from th.e ships. THE ADVANCE FORGE A small Advance Force to make preparations for the main body camp had preceded the Expedition. It left on a stormy day which was in strong contrast with the ideal conditions a month later. Many hundreds of next of kin and friends braved the driving rain to give the men a send-off, and the Minister of Defence made a brief speech of farewell which can be quoted as appropriate to both great occasions. During this speech he said:— “ On behalf of the Government I wish to thank you for the readiness with which you responded to the call for men for overseas service. This Dominion built up an enviable record in the last great conflict, and those of your fellow countrymen who took part built up a reputation for bravery> heroism, and fortitude it would be difficult to surpass. I feel sure that you can be relied on to maintain those traditions. “ You carry with you the best wishes of the Government and of the people of this country for your personal safety and a victorious mission. We realise the great sacrifice you are making in defence of the British Commonwealth of Nations, and may good fortune crown your efforts.