NEW ZEALAND TROOPS

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 January 1941, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND TROOPS

DESERT TRAINING. (From the Official War Correspondent with the N.Z.E.F., in the Middle East). CAIRO, January 1.4. While many of its numbers con- . tinue to play the same useful active roles behind the scenes in the Libyan offensive, the New Zealand Expeditionary Force is embarking this week on a period of intensive training on i a wider and more comprehensive scale than previously known—a full programme of-.instruction and exercises designed to teach the new lessons of warfare as well as act as a

refresher course. The Army Service Corps and Transport Companies meanwhile are continuing their highly important task of carrying supplies to British troops in Libya, and New Zealanders are still helping to maintain signal services at the headquarters of the forces in action. In addition, New Zealand engineers are engaged in water supply, workshops, and similar activities on either side of the border, and the railway companies are assisting in train running and maintenance over some hundreds of miles of desert.

LATEST CASUALTIES. WELLINGTON, January 15. The following official casualties are announced: — Sergeant David Garrick Branscombe Protheroe, R.N.Z.A.F., previously reported missing, now reported a prisoner of war. His father is Mr J. B. Protheroe, Tonga. Aircraftsman P. J. Trainer, R.A.F., admitted to hospital in England suffering from a perforated ulcer, and previously reported placed on the dangerously-ill list, now reported removed from the dangerously-ill list and placed on the seriously-ill list. His father is Mr C. M. Trainer, Blenheim. Sergeant Jack Middleton Garrett, R.N.Z.A.F., previously reported missing, now reported a prisoner of war and wounded. His father is Mr E. M. Garrett, Box 172, Auckland.

INVALIDED HOME. AUCKLAND, January 15. A draft of 31 soldiers invalided from service overseas, has arrived at Auckland. They were met by the officer commanding the sick and wounded, Captain Quane, and were X-rayed at the Auckland Hospital. Some will be given treatment in New Zealand public hospitals. Apart from Aucklanders, those who returned are:—Privates A. E. Bates (Raglan), S. R. Brennier (Nelson). A. E. G. Boisen (address unknown), B. J. Brosnahan (Rotorua), N. J. Cornish (Napier), E. C. Deadman (Rangatau), P . H. Gatchell (Dannevirke), T. L. Gick (Taumarunui), A. Goodwill (Te Awamutu), P. Hodge (Wellington), N. J. Kennedy (Carterton), R. T. Kotua (Plirnmerton), R. J. Marchant (Wanganui), J J. Miller (Mangapai), W. M. McDonnell (Christchurch), B. P. McEwen (Petone), K ’ W A. New ?^J h (Christchurch), L. A. Olsen (Tau ranga). W. J. O’Neill (Te Awamutu), W. Pethrick (Wellington), T. J. Robinson (Matamata); Gunners D. Burnsffie (Balclutha), J- Gleazier (Riccarton), F. Leslie (Kaiwaka), J. *• Ruscoe (Wellington).

. TRANSPORT PROTECTION. WELLINGTON, January 15. The protection of New Zealand troop convoys was discussed by the Minister of Defence, Mr. Jones, in an interview to-night. The Government, he said, had never permitted, and would never agree to, the despatch of New Zealand transports from the Dominion till it was satisfied that the ocean escorts proposed by the naval authorities were reasonably adequate, taking into account all of the prevailing circumstances. Mr Jones said that his attention had been called to the fact that numbers of letters are being received by newspapers, referring to the question of the protection that is to be afforded the New Zealand troops proceeding overseas. ’ “The public, and in particular, the relations of members of the N.Z.E.F., can be assured that this is a matter which has, from the time of the despatch of the first troop convoy, received the very close and constant attention of the Government,” said the Minister. “The arrangements for the provision of transports and of the necessary warship escort are made in close co-opeartion with the Governments in the United Kingdom and in Australia. The Director of Sea Transports 'in London communicates the names of the ships which are to act as transports, and dates upon which they will be made available, and the Admiralty communicate the arrangements proposed for ocean escort beyond the Australian station. The Admiralty, usually, leaves it to the Commonwealth and New Zealand Naval Boards to make mutual arrangements for the ocean escort from New Zealand to Australian waters and onward to connect with the ocean escort arranged by the Admiralty for the final stages of the voyage. All of the proposed arrangements are reviewed by the New Zealand Government in conjunction with the Chief of the Naval Staff, and taking into account the scale of possible attack envisaged at any particular time, or the position in the light of intelligence available regarding known or possible movements of enemy warships, including submarines.”

PENSION APPLICATIONS. WELLINGTON, January 15. The Minister for Defence (Mr. Jones) to-day announced that the Secretary for War Pensions has installed in the mobilisation camps .at Papakura, Ngaruawahia, Trentham, and Burnham an officer fully trained in war pensions work, and with a knowledge of State placement requirements, whose duty it would be to interview each soldier medically boarded for discharge from a mobilisation camp, and assist him to complete a claim form for a war pension if he desires to apply. The officer will also obtain particulars from the soldier as to his -former employment, with a view to his being reinstated in his old position, if fit to resume work, or new employment if the soldier so desires. The soldier wil also be fully acquainted with the procedure to adopt if his condition requires further medical treatment subsequent to discharge. Similar measures are being taken in regard to men being discharged from Territorial camps. Mr. Jones also stated that any soldier already discharged from the forces, requiring assistance in regard to a war pension for himself or his dependents, or medical treatment,' should report to the nearest registrar of war pensions-