N.Z. TROOPS LAND SAFELY IN EGYPT

Grey River Argus, 13 February 1940, Page 7

N.Z. TROOPS LAND SAFELY IN EGYPT

TRIBUTE TO STRENGTH OF THE NAVY

First Echelon Travels “Like Tourists”

[Per Press Association!. WELLINGTON, F"> r “ r J 12 , hc Fl S° ‘ the No’ Zealand Expeditionary ro«= Sd% a £o de m enSts in ships ol the best ™a“ naval escort was not on j but most imposing. „ !ca ti n n asThe success of the organisation as sociated with the embarkation °M troops in New Zealand was also men tioned by Mr Fraser, w o took opportunity to define the Govern mcnt’s attitude on tbe gel \ er ‘l ] war tion of publicity as it affects the war. Writing from a troopship at > , ® fho Kirst New Zealand a member of the r nsv new Echelon described the life as u f lbs ° u . luxury after camp, saying: 1 am J a two-berth cabin. The meals ar first-class. For example, we have bacon, eggs and tomatoes fol fast We cannot mention much about our movements, our ship, or convoy, but really, it is a marvellous sight to see’all these big ships in formation. Most of the day is spent in sports boxirig, wrestling, deck tennis and deck quoits. One doesn’t feel much like a soldier, but really like a tourist. till, what drill and parades we do have are not begrudged by anyone, and there is a distinct improvement both in health and bearing. We have had our vaccination. New badges

have been issues. They bear two fern leaves enclosing the Initials “N.Z.” with a crown on top, and underneath the word “Onward” on a scroll'. Special boat drill is given occasionally, and at sunset a blackout is enforced with all of the port-holes closed, and everything in absolute darkness. Everything is cheap on board —cigarettes, tobacco and beer.”

Mr Fraser’s Announcement

REASONS FOR SECRECY. WELLINGTON, February 12. Mr. Fraser, announcing the arrival of the troops in Egypt, said: “On hehalf of the Prime Minister and the Government, it gives me great pleasure to announce that the First Echelon of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force has disembarked safely in Egypt. The British Naw has again demonstrated its protective strength in safely convoying troops from outposts of the British Commonwealth of Nations. It has .done so in this instance just as efficiently as it guarded the transportation of

the British Expeditionary Force across the English Channel to France. It is a great source of gratification and thankfulness to us all that our men have arrived safely, and, we are informed, in pood health and excellent spirit. They have gone overseas with the hirrh purpose of serving personally in the struggle for democracy and civilisation. They have literally, along

with so many brave rpen from the United Kingdom, and; other British Dominions, and in co-operation with our gallant French Allies. entered the lists against forces which, if triumphant, would overthrow everything that the people of New Zealand hold dear in our political, social, economic, moral and spiritual life, and which would/reduce our country’to the position of vassal state, and our people to a condition of hopeless servitude. These gallant . pioneers who have answered the call—a call inseparable from our nationhood—excited admiration when they marched through our cities on the eve of departure. They are typical New .Zealanders, mostly by birth, some by adoption, and they have decided to stand shoulder to shoulder with the fighting men of every natioii which is prepared to take a staryd for international freedom, because they hate bondage. The people of the Dominion will be glad to know that our soldiers travelled in the ships of the best class. Having had the opportunity of inspecting them personally, along with the Minister of Defence, I can vouch for that fact. Every possible provision was made for their comfort and well being, and they were generally provided for in a manner fit for men who are ready tp perform the most immediate, and by far the most important, service possible in this nation’s behalf. The naval es-

cort was not only adequate, but was most imposing. So many people were responsible for the organisation necessary so successfully to complete the embarkation of the New Zealand soldiers that I could not even attempt to thank them individually. Community effort involved the service of many including all those engaged in transport, and workers on the waterfront and elsewhere. In this connection, there were some fine performances. The expeditious dispatch of a transport from Lyttelton, necessitating all night work on the part of many men, was an outstanding example. In great variety and in substantial quantity, requisities were placed on all of the ships by the National Patriotic Fund Board, and the gener-ous-hearted citizens who made these

gifts possible deserve our thanks. On behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand, I most sincerely thank all who assisted. “This is a fitting opportunity to say a word on the subject of publicity in New Zealand, as it affects the war, and specially our own war effort. Everybody encounters ru-

mours, sometimes; of a most disturbing character, but generally merely mischievous. It is unfortunate, that

there appear to be no means of preventing the spread of these, but I earnestly counsel everyone to' cultivate a habit of mind which will discourage their circulation. The Director of Publicity has suggested that I should, in a few words, make plain the Government’s attitude on the general question of publicity. It is not only our desire, but our purpose, to give the" people of the Dominion the maximum of information consistent with the fullest regard for the safety of our troops and ships. For instance every informed person in the community knew that the troops had. departed overseas, but it was our responsible

ity to prevent the publication of anything in any form which would be calculated to help the enemy to locate their position, or estimate the strength of the ships of war winch formed part of the convoy. It is our responsibility to protect our men in every possible way, and therefore we adopt every conceivable precaution. The people of our country must remember that we are at grips with an enemy in Nazi Germany, which is as crafty in warfare as it is cruel and unscrupulous in the pursuit of its international ambition. The task ahead is as stupendous as it is necessary. That the people of New Zealand will prove equal to it, I have no doubt. Neither have I hny misgivings regarding their determination to make any necessary sacrifice to secure the triumph of that international righteousness on which, only, a lasting and honourable peace can be based.”

Australians Also Land

TROOPS IN GOOD SPIRITS. (Received February 12, 11.40 p.m.) LONDON, February 12. The War Office announces that the Australian Imperial Force and the New Zealand Expeditionary Force have begun to arrive in the Middle East. . They are proceeding to their specified areas. The Second Australian Imperial Force is under the command of Lieu-tenant-General Sir Thomas Blarney, C. 8., C.M.G., D. 5.0., and the New Zealand Force is commandered by Major-General B. C. Freyberg, V.C., C.M.G., D.S.O. The health of the troops is excellent, and they are in high spirits. 1

| N.Z. MEN FIRST ASHORE. (Received February 13, 1.12 a.m.) LONDON, February 12. The New Zealanders landed first. The Australians were ashore later. GENERAL FREYBERG’S STATEMENT. (Received February 13, 1.14 a.m.) LONDON, February 13. The first ships to enter port brought the New Zealanders. General Freyberg was the first to go aboard the leading New Zealand transport. He gave a friendly warning to the troops that the camp to which they were going was only partly finished, but he knew, he said, that they would realise that they now were on active service. General Freyberg paid a warm tribute to the British troops through whose efforts conditions in the camp had greatly been improved, and who were preparing hot meals before the arrival of their brothers from the Dominion. General Freyberg afterwards told a correspondent: “I would wager that the men comprising this force will | strive hard to uphold the great reputa- [ lion of New Zealander’s ExpeditionI ary Force in the last war. From what I have seen, they won’t strive in vain.” THE KING’S MESSAGE. TO N.Z. FORCE. (Received February 13, 1.31 a.m.) LONDON, February 12. The King’s message read: "The General Officer Commanding the New Zealand Expeditionary Force; I know well that the splendid tradition established by the armed forces of New Zealand will be worthily upheld by you who have left your homes to light for the cause which the whole Empire has made its own. I send you a warm welcome and the best wishes.”

A Great Armada

b ' (Received February 13, 1 a.nij. February 12. A descr ption from “Somewhere in the Middle-East of the arrival, states. ’One of the biggest armies which has ever crossed the seas in a single unit arrived here to-day. It cojisisted of the Second Autralian Imperial Force, and the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. The port was crowded with the grey hulls of liners converted into transports and of escorting Brit sh warships, when they dropped anchor, after a voyage of 10,000 miles. Masts of the great Armada could be seen swaying as far as the eye couici see. ( ONE OF THE BIGGEST ARMIES. EVER TRANSPORTED BY SEA. SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE EAST, Monday, February 12. (Received February 13, 1.5 a.m.?. i The Australians and New Zealanders have reached their destination. Their transports arrived at a Middle i East port early this morning. A message of greeting from the King was received. The New Zealanders have dismbarked. Thrv will travel to their < amp. These forces constitute one of the biggest armies that has been transp >Hed by sea in history. "DIGGERS” IN CLOVER. (Received February 14, 1.10 a.m.). The message of greeting from th-? King was taken aboard the first New Zealand transport to arrive. The fleet’s arrival galvanised the port into intense activity. The troops were massed on . the decks of the transports singing and waving to those ashore. The “Diggers,” famed for their stoutness, had been sleeping for weeks in th-? downs bunks and first-class cab'ns of luxury transport I’ners. Nevertheless,, there was a! general feeling of relief among the men that their long period of inaction was coming to an end. A hefty New Zealander, who was wounded in the Gallipoli campaign, remarked: ‘‘lt beats me that we are being paid for this cruise! Now for some framing; and we shall be ready for anythingplenty of dirt for the eye of Adolf.'"' DEPARTURE RECALLED FAREWELL SCENES AT WELLINGTON. ■ WELLINGTON, February 12. When the 4420 soldiers of the New;

Zealand First Echelon embarked at Wellington to.serve the Empire overseas, they formed the second such offering of the nation’s manpower to be made within 25 years, and- the third in the history of a country just celebrating its centenary. Great liners carried them under accommodation condition that set standards hitherto unknown in the war history of New Zealand. The men embarked silently. There were no great, cheering ' crowds for it was essential', in the interests of the men’s safety, that their departure be kept as secret as possible. Nature smiled on the city of Wellington on that day, when from the camps in the Auckland district and from the Central District mobilization camp, Trentham, the men went aboard ship direct from the trains which deposited them at well-j timed intervals on the Glasgow and King’s wharves. It was beautifully calm and sunny. Despite the secrecy surrounding their departure there was a reasonably-sized crowd on the adjacent waterfront, no members of the public whatever being al- . lowed on the embarkation wharves.

EXCITED CROWD AT WHARF. It was impossible in the interests of the efficient embarkation of the men to allow the public or even near relatives on to the wharves at which the troopships were, berthed, but when there remained only one more ship to cast oft, the gate was opened to release on to the wharf at which she was berthed an excitedi crowd which gave the men on thisj ship a great and enthusiastic send-off. Each ship carried three nurses. I The commander of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force, Major- j General B. C. Freyberg, V.C., sailed, aboard on ship. She took the headquarters of the division (70), the| Four.h Field Regiment, New Zea-1 land Artillery (622), base depot de-; tails (45), headquarters, Fourth j Infantry Brigade (60) and cast off fori the stream at 12.30 a.m. There also I departed by other vessels the 19th Wellington (Rifle) Battalion (790), I Sixth Field Company of Engineers' (250), Fifth Field Park Company of. Engineers (160); small units consisting of the provost company, postal detail, employment platoon, base pay and post office details, the 18th Auckland Battalion (790), Fourth Reserve Motor Transport Company (300), Second New Zealand Divisional Petrol Company (171), Second New Zealand Divisional Ammunition Company (166); the Second New Zealand! Divisonal Light Cavalry Regiment (370), some of the overseas base details, and the Second New Zealand Divisional Signals Coy. (300). At Lyttelton there emoarked the 20th Canterbury and Otago Battalion (790), the Fourth Field Ambulance (240), and the Fourth Field Hygiene Section (30), on a ship completely fitted out as a transport and the men on her were all accommodated in hammocks, except a few who were allocated the quarters provided on such regular troopships for married soldiers. On the rest of the ships the men were given the accommodation available to passengers. The embarkation arrangements were in charge of Lieutenant Colonel Sir Alexander Roberts (Chief Embarkation Staff Officer), who held a similar position during the Great War. The embarkation of troops began on the day t on which one ship, accompanied by H.M.S. Leander, departed foi - Lyttelton to complete, her complement. Stirring scenes were witnessed the following day when train after train arrived in Welling- . ton from Ngaruawahia and Trentham. Shortly after midday the ships began to move out, their decks and super structures crowded with thousands of khaki-clad young soldiers waving their farewells and cheering . those they were leaving. The big ships, Which anchored in a long line, extending well out towards Somes Island, made a brave show in the bright afternoon sunshine.

GRACEFUL PICTURE. The day of the actual departure dawned early into the bright sunshine of a perfect summer day. First to move was the graceful cruiser H.M.A.S. Canberra. At 6 o’clock she slipped from her berth at Aotea Quay and steamed slowly down the fairway. As the cruiser passed round Halswell Point, the transports began to lift their anchors. The flagship of the commodore commanding the convoy, steamed slowly round in a wide ace and headed down the channel, just as the Canberra appeared, a dark silhoutte against the sunlight. There was an interval of a mile or more between each ship. HUGE BATTLESHIP. Shortly before 7 o’clock H.M.S. Ramifies slipped her moorings and backed out from Pipitea Wharf. She made a superb picture of graceful power as she swung round into the fairway and headed down harbour and joined the great procession whose head was already well out to sea. Somewhere, far out. in the blue, H.M.S. Leander was coming up from Lyttelton to join the convoy at an appointed rendezvous. PEOPLE'S FAREWELL. As each ship emerged from the harbour mouth, the massed tooting of motor hprns cried the people’s final farewell, but the sound was almost insignificant in the space of the harbour mouth and was drowned by the answering boom of the commodore's whistle. But though they might not have heard, the people who swarmed on the roads and hillslopes could be seen. Handkerchiefs, towels, sheets and flags waved in the sunshine. THE TROOPS’ REPLY. The troops who lined the rails of' every transport waved back. It was their last link with New Zealand shores and, loth to lose it, they ran from rail to rail, and crowded at each vessel’s stern as she moved further and further out. Then H.M.S. Ramifies cleared the head and a morse lamp winked a message to the watching, waving tnrong, “Thank you, Wellington.” CANADIAN TROOPS. LONDON, February 9The Canadians were inspected by Major-General Andrew McNaughton, Commander of the Canadian Forces, who arrived with the first contingent, and the Under-Secretary for the Dominions, the Duke of Devonshire. A message from Ottawa states

that the 2nd Canadian Division will go overseas as soon as the Ist Division, which is now in England, leaves for France. A distinguished company, including the Duke of Kent, met the Dominions’ officers at Mansion House, where the Lord Mayor, who gave a luncheon to the officers, welcomed the men “who have come thousands of miles, at great sacrifice, to join the common cause.” He added that no gathering at the Mansion House could have greater significance.