READY TO FIGHT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23486, 25 October 1939, Page 11

READY TO FIGHT

NAVY'S PREPAREDNESS SUDDEN ATTACK EXPECTED . MASTER, MARINER'S IMPRESSION [IJY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] WELLINGTON, Tuesday "From what I was told while I was in England, the British Admiralty evidently anticipated that the present war would begin, with ;i sudden German attack not preceded by any formal declaration of war, and tliev had everything ready for such an eventuality," said Captain D. K. Patterson, master of ' the" Shell Oil Company's tanker Paua, in an interview to-day on his return from spending six months' leave on a trip to the United Kingdom. While he was at Home Captain Patterson attended on hoard a naval vessel a special course for merchant marine master mariners covering the operation of the convoy system, elementary gunnery and other war emergency conditions. Precautions at Sea The British Navy was in readiness j long before the Germans invaded Poland, Captain Patterson said. The full extent to which the advent of war was anticipated was indicated by the fitct that before the ship on which lie travelled to Sydney left Liverpool there had been placed on her a supply of sand and sandbags for use in protecting portions of the liner's superstructure. She sailed a week before Germany and Britain were at war, but even at that stage maintained a zig-zag course and was completely blacked out at night. Captain Patterson said the evacuation of London had begun before he left, and business firms were operating with skeleton staffs, who were a)»o awaiting instructions to move to the country. At that stage he had quarters at the offices of his company, but he found the atmosphere so depressing that be moved to an hotel. There he found the social life of the city in full.swing, principally farewell parties for men w'io had been called up for active service. There was already a partial black-out in London at night. Electric night signs and floodlighting of buildings had been discontinued, and during the day there was already a marked diminution in the volume of street traffic. Exodus from London Captain Patterson said that shortly before sailing he motored from Devon to London along one of the main highways and they encountered a heavy stream of private cars in which families were leaving the metropolis. Anti-air-craft guns seemed to be everywhere and they had already been fully manned. '"The early part of the journey out was an anxious time for those on board," said Captain Patterson. '"A constant look-out was maintained with the assistance of volunteers recruited from among the passengers, and .L was in charge of one watch for part of the trip. We were in the Mediterranean when the war began. The ship was steaming hard and maintained 20 knots while we remained anywhere in the danger zone. We were not convoyed, but were several times visited by warships, and once a British bombing aeroplane came over to have a look at us. When ive at last reached Fremantle we thought we were in paradise." TROOPS ON LEAVE ENTERTAINMENT IN HAMILTON [FROM OUR OWN CORKESPONDKNT] HAMILTON, Tuesday Plans for the entertainment of soldiers on leave from the Hopuhopu camp were discussed at meetings of the social committee and entertainment committee of the Hamilton Women's Patriotic Executive. It was stated that the club which has been established in Blcdisloe Hall would be open from 1 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. on Saturdays, and from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays. Arrangements for catering have been made as follows: —October 28, National Club; November 'J, St. George's Guild; November 11, Women's institutes; November 18. Women's Division of the Farmers' Union. It was decided to ask the finance committee to instal a telephone at the club, screen off cubicles and furnish them with writing materials, and to supply suitable games and amusements. An appeal is being made for reading matter and suitable games for use in the club. Private citizens^ are also being asked to arrange afternoon drives for the men on Sundays. it has been decided to send two concert parties to the camp every Tuesday and one every Thursday.

AMBULANCES PRESENTED SALVATION AH MY EFFORT [by telegraph —ritKss association] "WELLINGTON, Tuesday Two very line ambulance units were presented hy the Salvation Army to the Government at a formal function in' front of Parliament Buildings. The presentation -was made by LieutenantColonel Grattan, chief secretary of the Salvation Army. The ambulances wore received by the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. .Tones, who was accompanied by the -Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, Colonel I?. Miles, Colonel 0. H. Mead and Colonel F. T. Bowerbank. There was a large muster of Salvation Army officers and rank and file.