Island Fortress of Iceland

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 106, 6 May 1941, Page 7

Island Fortress of Iceland

BRITISH TROOPS BUSY Britain has now consolidated her most northerly military outpost, Iceland, to such good effect that no attempt by Germany to oust her would have the slightest chance of success. So I was assured when I visited the headquarters here of the British forces, reports a Reuter special correspondent in the Evening {Standard, London. What I saw of the work accomplished in the nine months since they occupied this remote island just south of the Arctic Circle shows that no time has been wasted in converting it into a fortress. Permanent camps have been laid out, roads built and defences constructed. Lorries dash about the roads moving men and materials for further work. Training manoeuvres, involving a mock invasion, were about to be held when I arrived, the correspondent adds. Relations between the High Command and the Icelandic Government are excellent. One high officer paid tribute to the troops who have come here. Fine Training Areas “Our men have been extremely good,” he said. “They have done considerably more and better training, in much finer training areas, than would have been possible at home. Training in mobile warfare is a feature. ’’ Snowclad peaks towered up on three sides. No trees of any kind relieved the bare landscape. The sole vegetation was a kind of brown dead grass, cut here and there by a frozen stream. A searing wind came down from the hills. Protection against such conditions is provided by Nissen huts, which the men find comfortable. The majority have electric light, although this is impossible in isolated places. The health of officers and men is excellent. They are getting full rations of good food, much of it bought locally. The sickness rate has been “remarkably low.” Special equipment, including “Arctic coats,” has been issued on a generous scale. Skis have been supplied by the Army authorities. Our soldiers are now proficient in their use. The principal recreations are skating and Association football—when conditions allow. Cinemas and Sightseeing Reykjavik boasts two excellent cinemas, which are supplemented by film shows arranged by the troops themselves. More serious pastimes include lectures given in the recreational huts, and tramps to the island’s beauty spots. Local leave is often used to know Iceland better. The men from small parties and, equipped with rations and camping gear, tour waterfalls, hot springs and the other sights. Use is made by the troops of the natural hot water baths in various towns. Near one camp I watched some Icelandic girls busily washing British soldiers’ clothing in water that gushed, nearly boiling, from a natural hot spring. Mail from home arrives punctually. The men are grateful, too, for the supplies of comforts reaching them. Beer in the English style is now being brewed specially for the troops by an Icelandic brewing firm.