“Vs” Score No Victory With N.Z.E.F. Men

Northern Advocate, 13 March 1944, Page 2

“Vs” Score No Victory With N.Z.E.F. Men

(Official N.Z.E.F. News Service) BARI, March 10. While Italy meant changes in service conditions for men of the b/N.Z.E.F., eld associations with other days m Jsg:.pt and the desert remained, and they were accompanied on their enterprise by "V for Victory” cigarettes, a constant companion if not a lriend. Fifty Vs in packets of 10 were the standard free weekly issue foi soldiers in the Middle East for over two years. While Vs persisted for a time on the Eighth Army front, they wore steadily replaced by better brands of English cigarettes. Occasional issues of Vs have been made lately, but the general rule for troops in the forward areas at least is the issue of any one or two or three wellknown brands of English cigarettes. In addition, there is a weekly issue of matches which strike quickly and burn witnout an objectionable smell—something which could net be said of the poor matches which went hand in hand with Vs. Troops in Italy also receive one cake of chocolate weekly, comparable in size with the threepenny bars sold before the war. Fornade Their Issue Apart from questions regarding Vs asked in the House of Commons, an almost fatal blow at the reign of this cigarette was dealt by a New Zealander, the Air Officer Commanding in the Middle East (Air Vice-Marshal Sir Keith Park), who forbade flic issue of Vs to his men after stocks in hand were exhausted. G'n one occasion in the House of Commons the reply of the Government was that the men did not know what they were missing till they received an issue of English brands. Vs originally replaced various issues of cigarettes generally voted unpalatable, and held their pride of place despite frequent and trenchant criticism. When Vs were the only cigarette available. most soldiers smoked them and some enjoyed them. At least one New Zealander still changes other brands for Vs, but the hope that the day of the V is over and gone for ever is almost universal.