CIVIC CLUB

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 261, 2 October 1940, Page 5

CIVIC CLUB

ADDRESS ON GREAT WAR

At the Civic Club’s luncheon, yesterday, Major W. H. McLean, M.C., related some of his experiences with the New Zealand Forces in Egypt and in France during the Great War. Referring to Egypt, the speaker said that lie was one of the very lew men who did not visit the Pyramids, and he explained that he and another officer had set out to make a visit but had taken the wrong turning and landed up at the Cairo Museum. There they had been fascinated with the many exhibits and abandoned the idea ol proceeding to tho Pyramids. Contrary to the general belief, the desert was not all sand; in fact a good deal of it was metal. The speaker went oil to describe the trip across the Mediterranean and his experiences on board ship. Reference to the - journey across France was also made by Major' McLean, who said that it was difficult to curb the enthusiasm and spirit of the men, who on the train even climbed on top of the carriages, to the consternation of the French officials. Very few of the men could understand French, and it transpired that the officials were trying to tell the soldiers that there was an overhead bridge ahead and that they would be swept off the roof. Major spoke also of the rse of phosporous bombs, which developed clouds of smoke and streaks of fire. He had scon them used to destroy a balloon barrage on at least one occasion, and they had been very effective. They were not, however, commonly seen in use, but he did not know why. The speaker explained how information leaked out and the enemy received news of certain actions. He explained that the Germans had excellent listening sets, and through the ground could pick up telephone messages. At the conclusion of his remarks the speaker was thanked on the motion of Mr F. J. Allen.