The Grey River Argus TUESDAY, February 13, 1940. DIGGERS ON ACTIVE SERVICE.

Grey River Argus, 13 February 1940, Page 6

The Grey River Argus TUESDAY, February 13, 1940. DIGGERS ON ACTIVE SERVICE.

To bring home to New Zealanders here the reality of war, nothing else could be so effective as to-day’s news of the arrival of New Zealand’s soldiers near the seat of war. It is the more significant, too, that their arrival 'should revive so vividly the memory of the Anzacs. as it does from the. association of the soldiers of Australia with those of the Dominion both in the longsea voyage and in the landing once again upon Egyptian soil. From all accounts, the journey has been not only a triumph for the Navy, but one almost in the nature of a tourist cruise for the troops themselves. The Canadians likewise enjoyed their transportation with the best of accommodation that is obtainable aboard the finest liners afloat, and it may be reflected that in this respect the Dominions have virtually set a new standard for the men whose lives ( are being risked in the cause of their countries on the field of battle. It is an innovation which reflects a more enlightened estimate of the part played by the soldier in the gravest hour. It now might also be said that in the particular sphere where their lot is meantime cast, the Diggers from “down under” have established a tradition. - In whatever campaign they may be thereabouts allotted a part, they should rank second to no other soldiers in the world, because of the knowledge which they will in one way and another have inherited from the veterans of Anzac fame. It is, of course, a matter of pure conjecture here as to what war front the Dominion ! Forces may be sent. It is said that the German Army for the West Front is nearing a strength of two hundred divisions, which must considerably exceed the enemy forces which began the fighting- there in the last war. But there now are indications of a possible land campaign of large dimensions in the south-east of Europe and on the western margins of the Asiatic Continent. In the Middle East the French arc reported to have a force of three hundred thousand, and in North Africa the British are said to have something like half as many men. The apparent failure of the Red Army offensive in Finland is perhaps now to be understood more readily from the news of enemy military activity in the regions around the Black Sea, on the borders of Turkey and Roumania, and the use reported to be planned for Bulgaria, It turns out that the Germans arc beginning to take control of defensive and transport measures in the southern territories of the Soviets, and these steps are doubtless an indi-. cation of what the enemy is expecting as the war on land begins to develop with the return of the northern summer. The, inference might be drawn that' with the Turks disposed to cooperate, an Allied effort to cut off Germany from her sources of oil, food, metal and other sup- ■ plies in South-East Europe and

the Middle East will be made when preparations have been completed. Should the Finnish resistance be overcome, the Soviet would probably turn attention to southern frontiers both in Europe and Asia, because the Soviet definitely has adopted an aggressive policy, from which it now has become very difficult to withdraw. The Soviet, indeed, seems to have come more under the sway of Germany than previously had been acknowledged. At anyrate, the chess board’ of this war is even larger than that of the last, and, except those who may supply the .strategy, nobody yet could forecast with any assurance how the struggle will develop. The presence of the “Diggers” on the scene will nevertheless heighten the interest of their compatriots in the course of events. That interest will be also characterised with strong confidence that the Expeditionary Force in this war will greatly enhance the lasting fame the Expeditionary Force in the last war so bravely won.