COMBINED ARMIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23618, 30 March 1940, Page 11

COMBINED ARMIES

MANOEUVRES IN EGYPT SPEEDING CO-ORDINATION NEAR EAST SUPPORTS ALLIES By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright CAIRO. March 'JB The combined manoeuvres of the Anzacs, British, Egyptian and Indian armies began yesterday, marking the acceleration of the co-ordin-ation of the Allied forces in the Near East.

The Transjordan frontier troops are combining in exercises with Emir Abdullah's Arab Legion, which is being extended over the whole of Transjordan to give the one-time fierce desert raiders their first experience in co-operation with the British forces.

Increasing numbers of young British Yeomiinry are arriving in Palestine;' The voluntary recruiting of .Tews in Palestine is steadily increasing. The wholehearted support of the inhabitants of the Near East for the British cause is a striking example of unity, compared with the lwsitaiicy evident at the beginning of the last war.

ANZACS IN ENGLAND MINISTER' S INSPECT lON FULLY-EQUIPPED PARADE PROGRESS IN TRAINING LONDON, March 28 '' The Dominions Secretary, Mr. Anthony Kden. accompanied by Mr. W. ,). Jordan. New Zealand High Commissioner, inspected the New Zealand antitank unit, which comprises 140 officers and men. They paraded fully equipped with guns, lorries and motor-cycles. "1 am Very grateful for this opportunity to see you." said Mr. Eden, addressing the parade. ; 'l was lucky enough to see your fellow countrymen in Egypt recently, and I know they would want me to give you a message of cheer. Thnv looked as fit and cheerful as you are. 1 congratulate you on the splendid progress of your training." Mr. Kden chatted with SergeantMajor W. M. Mac Donald. who fought with the International Brigade in Spain.

Mr. Jordan said: "New Zealand's reputation established in the last war will be improved in the near future."

NOT YET .FINISHED THE SIEGFRIED LINE A GERMAN ADMISSION FEVERISH OPERATIONS LONDON. March '2B A German broadcast from the Western Front has disclosed that the Siegfried Line is not finished. "Thousands of men are working feverishly in the most advanced positions to complete the fortifications, and they are often compelled to cease work and take shelter from enemy fire," stated the announcer. The Allied defence chiefs met on Wednesday and discussed the whole military lay-out. The meeting aimed at anticipating and countering any German move. FRENCH NAVAL LOSS DESTROYER EXPLOSION CASUALTIES TOTAL 100 LONDON. March '2B The Home radio to-day stated that the French destroyer La Railleuse broke in two and sank a few seconds after the explosion, which occurred aboard yesterday. near Casa IManea. Morocco. The casualties aie believed to total 100.

Casa Blatiea was the scene of a French nnval tragedy earlier in the present war. In .September, less than a fortnight after the outbreak of hostilities. the Freneli mine-laving cruiser Plnton was blown np at the port while loading. Of- her crew of 424 men 100 were killed and there were other casualties on the docks.