News Of N.Zers. In Middle East

Northern Advocate, 9 April 1943, Page 5

News Of N.Zers. In Middle East

(Official War Correspondent, N.Z.E.F.) CAIRO, April 6.

The New Zealand Defence Minister (Mr. Jones), addressing a group of railway operating engineers recently, said the work of New Zealand railwaymen had won world attention, and in the course of his journey through America he was pleased to discover that Ihe success of the Eighth Army was due in no small measure to the speed the desert railway extension was constructed and efficiently operated.

Men of the New Zealand army troops company stationed at Benghazi are getting on with the war in their own way. They are engaged in tasks such as wharf construction, putting up power lines, digging and cleaning out wells, and manning waterfronts

In the town the company is quartered in a former Italian hospital. There is definite lack of entertainment in Benghazi. On occasions the men visit the cinema unit. Concert parties are infrequent and beer is like nectar to New Zealanders and is obtainable only at intervals from a bottle man. The company is justly proud of its football team, which has not been beaten by English or South African units.

The New Zealanders have the distinction of being the first in Benghazi to be equipped with hot showers. There has been only one air raid in the past two months. Troops are busily engaged writing their first airgraphs. They are pleased with the inauguration of the service, which will speed up letters between the Middle East and New Zealand at the acceptably low rate of threepence. Many thousands of airgraphs were filed the first day for immediate despatch.

Cairo’s Tribute to N.Z. Division

The prominent part played by New Zealanders in crashing the Mareth line was clearly recognised in Cairo. The British-Egyptian Press ran headlines of the Kiwis’ repetition of Alamein, Agheila breakthroughs, leading the way for the Eighth Army. Tributes were paid also by business civilians.

There were many queries why the New Zealanders were the best fighting soldiers. The only answer was: ‘’Spirit of independence, physical fitness, desire to deal with the enemy in a proper manner without prolonging the war."

Base trainees are basking in the reflected glory of the division and are proud of their comrades’ achievements. Turkish and Chinese military missions at present visiting the Middle East made a tour of inspection of the New Zealand base camp recently. Tribute to the part played by the Dominions in the air war was paid by the Under-Secretary of State for Air <Captain Balfour) at a conference at Cairo. He said the effort of the Dominions to supply excellent types of airmen was remarkable, New Zealand had produced an outstandingly large number of volunteers, whose fighting qualities were well-known. It was a wonderful example of what can be done when there is a will to win. New Zealanders, as fighter pilots, bomber crews, aircraftmen and administrative officers were a credit to their country and the Empire. The Empire Air Training Scheme has paid enormous dividends. The Germans are more than ever feeling the strain. Never was the R.A.F. stronger, better equipped or in greater heart, thanks to the support of the Dominions.

There were eight teams in the base camp Soccer competition, which was won by the 19th Regiment, with 12 wins and one loss. The camp shaped well against the more experienced outside teams and was beaten only twice. Boot returned to the track at the regimental sports, winning the 800 metres in 2.9. He ran in sandshoes Hart was beaten by Phillips in 100 metres. Donnelly won the 400 metres.