Chritsmas Eve In The Western

Northern Advocate, 30 December 1940, Page 6

Chritsmas Eve In The Western

(From the Official Correspondent with the N.Z.E.F. in the Middle East, Mr. Bob in T. Miller.) WESTERN 'DESERT, December 24. r fHE NIGHT THAT WILL BE THE FIRST CHRISTMAS EVE THAT THE SOLDIERS OF THE SECOND N.Z.E.F. HAVE SPENT IN THE FIELD, IS CREEPING COLDLY OVER THE GREAT WESTERN DESERT AS THIS MESSAGE IS WRITTEN.

New Zealanders scattered across hundreds of miles of foreign soil are turning their thoughts homeward, remembering the ■crowded expectant days of reunions and farewells that marked this time just a year ago. / CHRISTMAS CAN BE MERRY STILL Here, on the dusty seaward slopes which hold the biggest concentration of those first men to leave their country’s shores, Christmas can still be peacefully and happily celebrated in the traditional way. No pains have been spared in the plans made to preserve its spirit with good cheer, even in these strangest of surroundings.

Ration trucks rumbled along the road from the camps in the morning to be laden at the railway depot with turkey, chicken, mutton, vegetables, fruit and beverages by the ton for dinners that will be spread before the men tomorrow on scores of mess tables, in tents, dugouts and in the open air. Cooks up to Schedule, With menus planned well in advance, army cooks have mobilised stoves and home-made ovens, and are ready to make their best effort. Christmas pudding in the Western Desert, style is to be made with less worry than might be, by the fact that the mixture is being supplied to the forces in bulk; but there will be any amount cf work in tending roasts and preparing the sauces and extra delicacies with which the atmosphere of Christmas at home is to be recaptured. Flow of Parcels. From the base camp hundreds of miles away, a fleet of lorries swung off the highway two days ago' with case after case of gift parcels sent by' the New Zealand public. There has also been a steady flow of Christmas parcels and mail from the soldiers’ homes and personal friends. All leisure possible will be given the troops tomorrow, and padres are arranging special services. At brigade headquarters officers have organised a seven-a-side football tournament against the men.

Far in the west, on either side of the disputed border, Christmas cheer will be enjoyed sooner or later by the comparatively few New Zealanders actively engaged in the war. ’ For the motor transport drivers it will mostly be later. A tin of bully beef may have to suffice as the Christmas dinner for many until the cookhouse is reached at the end of the long supply journey. It is certain, however, that these men would net exchange the eventful days in the forward areas-even for Christmas Eve in- a city such as Cairo, where countless other New Zealanders will probably be mingling tonight with happy crowds.

Serenaders Prepare,

Snatches of song can already be heard in this camp from the tents and canteens in which the men have gathered. Here, they are lifting their voices with the Christmas radio programme. There, a mouth organ eatchily plays the opening bars of a familiar carol. Bursts of laughter ring from the mess tent, in which a plot is growing to serenade the commanding officer with midnight anthems. A possible motive is revealed as a few words drift down on the breeze: “And he will be a poor sport if he does not ask us in for a drink.” .