MAY BE NEXT PARTNERS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 25 October 1941, Page 6

MAY BE NEXT PARTNERS

SOUTH AFRICAN FORCES HOPES OF NEW ZEALAND TROOPS (From the Official War Correspondent with the 2nd N.Z.E.F.) Cairo, Oct., 25. The pages in the history of the future phases of the war may be lit with a name like Sanzacs if the New Zealanders’ hopes that the South African forces will be our next partners in action, is realised. Husky troops from the Union are close and friendly neighbours of ours in the present period of waiting and already a sort of affiliation exists between the New Zealand brigades and battalions and l the corresponding South African formations. This does not mean that we are alre dy closely linked with them from the military viewpoint. Courtesy visits are exchanged however and it is only natural that the respective com- ! manders should talk shop, arguing over i tactics and relating experiences in the ! field. More imnortant to the man in the | ra-ks at the moment is the fact that ' inter-Dominion football matches arc | being arranged. At this moment an in- ! fantry brigade to which I am attached | is playing a final probables versus | possibles match to select a team to I meet the representatives of its sister South African brigade. When the divisional teams are chosen we are 1 likely to see a sprinkling of former Springboks and All Blacks meeting i again in what oueht to be the most at j tractive test match yet played in Egypt. Takii. a longer view most New Zca- ! landers would i think, like to have the I South Africans fighting by their side. • If that happens I feel that a new and i illustrious name will have to be found for the new and ineal frnntlino nsrt-