DRAG ON WHEELS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20619, 21 November 1941, Page 6

DRAG ON WHEELS

RAIN IN THE DESERT TANKS NOT AFFECTED HARD ON FOOTSLOGGERS Among Gisborne soldiers who know something of conditions in the Western Desert, the announcement that the offensive launched by the Eighth Army against enemy strongholds in Libya started in heavy rain has given rise to much speculation. The general opinion is that rain would impose an initial handicap on the offensive, but that its effects would be superficial. Men who have served in the Western Desert in this or in the last war know that rain makes everything sloppy and slippery; that infantrymen arc subjected to extraordinary annoyance by the greasy marching conditions; and that for the time being mud covers everything moving or standing. Rain washes accumulations of dust into every fold of the clothing, and nothing is free from the clinging stickiness that results.

On the movement of wheeled vehicles, rain has a notable effect also. Wheels fitted with tyres of normally light tread simply will not grip the surface while it is. wet; and as the ground dries out it lifts on wheels and tends to clog movement, even if heavy-duty treads are fitted to the tyres. As long as rain continues, the combined effects of greasy surfaces on wheeled and foot traffic produces a marked delaying effect. On the other hand, traffic moving on caterpillars makes light of such conditions. Tanks and trucks fitted with caterpillar drive move without hindrance; and so long as the effect of the rain lasts their mechanism finds some relief from the almost constant attrition caused by flying dust which is one of the normal features of desert conditions. i Visual Range anil Surprise Those attempting to assess the effect of the reported heavy rain upon the movement of the British offensive action generally take into account the probability that visual range, usually very extensive, would be interfered with. This would possibly facilitate the movement of tanks and tracked vehicles in surprise attacks on enemy posts; and thus offset the retarding of infantry and light motorised movement. Another factor would be the tendency of defending troops to seek cover as. much as possible, and thus lay themselves open to surprise attack. For the British troops, rain would mean at least relief from the flies and sandstorms which have pestered them in their training in the Western Desert. Of these disadvantages, LanceBombadier W. K. Andrews, formerly of the Herald staff, writes in a letter received in this week's mail from the Middle East.

“After spending several months at tyasc camps in the vicinity of Cairo we are now away up in the Western Desert —and thoroughly enjoying it even though the usual amenities are conspicuous by their complete absence,” he says. “I think all of us, without exception, prefer it up here to the base camp.

New Tactics Developed

“Admittedly the life is hard, but it has its compensations. For instance, we have to spend from dawn to dusk underground, we are pestered by flies and sandstorms, we are strictly rationed as to water; but on the other hand we get frequent swims in the Mediterranean, we get our beer occasionally, we get the most marvellous sunrises and sunsets in the world, and the work we are doing is extraordinarily interesting. Further, the air up here—particularly from 4 p.m. to 8 n.m., is the keenest and most exhilar-' ating you could find anywhere. “I’m afraid I cannot tell you anything about our present activities, beyond saying that the manoeuvres we are carrying out are new and highly interesting—particularly the tank stuff. And I think Tam justified in saying we are fit and ready for anything we may be called upon to do. We’ve got a cracker jack troop, the fellows are all kgen and they know their jobs. “Believe me, the guns we have are the sweetest things to handle, and yet the most effective that have ever been built. They really are almost perfect. Those who were on the guns in the last war would be amazed at the different parts we are called on to play now. The old idea of static warfare has gone by the board, and nowadays mobility—and yet more mobility—is the aim of every army and unit. You should take part in some of our night manoeuvres across the desert, which are carried out in complete darkness. They would make your hair stand on end!”