SECOND ECHELON

Evening Star, Issue 23770, 28 December 1940, Page 10

SECOND ECHELON

CHRISTMAS IN ENGLAND ENVIOUS EYES ON WESTERN DESERT (From the Official War Correspondent with the Second N.Z.E.F. in England.) SOMEWHERE IN BRITAIN. December 27. Neither the novelty of a winter Christmas nor the limitless hospitality of the English homes in which many of them are guests can displace envy from, the foremost place in the thoughts of our troops here this season. The boys are having a wonderful time here, but ever since the battle for Libya began they have been openly envious of their comrades. If they could themselves elect where they would be to-day 9 out of 10 would choose the Western Desert. Nevertheless, this has been a Christmas to remember. Two hundred and fifty travelled to London. to be the guests at dinner of the New Zealand Forces Club, where the home atmosphere was particularly strong. In every camp mess room, however, there was something marking the connection with New Zealand. Often the pudding was pooled from’ Patriotic Fund parcels. The expected ration of New Zealand lamb failed to materialise. The Army’s only official contribution to the festivities was an issue of pork in lieu of beef. Alost of the units used the Patriotic, Fund’s cash contribution of Is 6d per man to provide extras in food, sweets, and drink. The whole Alaori Battalion dined in camp. Special preparations were made, including the cooking of a number of gift pigs in Native fashion. Alany men in other units dined out privately. Alany more could have done so, as invitations continued to flow in until the last moment. The grey coldness of Christmas forenoon was relieved by a general rum ration. But with it all the troops felt they were unfairly favoured compared with their comrades in the East, with whom they would gladly have changed places. Letters posted in New Zealand between October 17 and 25 were delivered to the troops on Christmas Eve. The parcels are being distributed to-day. This was an outstanding mail. Letter postings to November 5 arrived earlier. The troops have now received every mail despatched before and including November 5.