SOUTH ISLAND TROOPS

Grey River Argus, 20 January 1941, Page 2

SOUTH ISLAND TROOPS

CROSS THE NILE Realistic Manoeuvres I Official War Correspondent with N.Z.E.F. in Middle East.J (Received January 19, 6.30 p.m.) CAIRO, J'anuary -17. The most historic waterway in the world was crossed by South Island infantrymen “under their own power” yesterday, when novel manoeuvres took them from one bank of the Nile to the other. A full battalion advanced in waves from the fringe of the desert over green Helds to the edge of an irrigation canal running parallel with the river. The troops pushed light footbridges across this, and took cover on the banks of the Niie. Rushing collapsible assault boats, reminiscent of duck-shooting punts, to the muddy shore, they were rowed in relays to a sandy island in the middle of the river. They moved stealthily over this, and again took to the boats to cross a main fork of the river passing between picturesque native sailing craft and scrambling in open formation up the far bank to supposed enemy objectives. Engineers who had been trained to a high level of efficiency in the transportation of troops anc L material across stretches of water co-operated with the battalion, and gave the exercise added realism by firing charges both on land and water to stimulate an enemy barrage. They also demonstrated the use of heavier craft, including those capable of carrying vehicles. Other units are carrying out similar exercises in turn as part of an intensive training programme which the N.Z.E.E. has now' commenced.