FULL WAR KIT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23717, 25 July 1940, Page 8

FULL WAR KIT

TACTICAL MANOEUVRES THE SECOND ECHELON EEADfY FOR NAZI ATTACK \ (From tha Official War Correspondent attached to the New Zealand Forces in Britain) LONDON. July 23 Between midnight and daylight this morning troops of the Expeditionary Force in the United Kingdom returned to their several camps after five days and nights of full-scale tactical manoeuvres in a southern region of England. The exercise was a regular part of their advanced training, but the area chosen would have been among the danger spots had Britain been invaded during tho week-end, as the press and tho public widely believed possible.

Accordingly the troops took the field in full war equipment, prepared at any moment to turn make-believe to the real thing. As thqy exorcised under strict active service conditions they bivouacked, cooked and messed in the open. They dug in immediately they occupied new positions, whether by day or night, stood to for an hour at dawn and dusk, and even drew rum rations. Comprehensive Exercise

The whole force participated, moving in its new organisation. The exercise included the practice of the mass movement of transport as well as reconnaissance, occupation, consolidation of advance and withdrawal from forward defence positions. All ranks agreed that this was the most valuable of the much valuable training that has been received in the past month. On Friday the Secretary of State for the Dominions, Lord Caldecote, inspected the troops at their battle posts. ' The outward journey to the "front" was made entirely awheel, the infantry travelling in a fleet of buses, which was also employed in moving brigades to the front line from the reserve and vice versa. When they withdrew from the defensive positions yesterday afternoon, however, all units marched 17 miles along lovely country roads before joining the buses, with a break halfway for the evening meal. Lavish Hospitality

Residents along various routes were marvellously good to the New Zealanders, offering them tea, coffee, cocoa, beer, cigarettes, chocolate and fruit. A typical experience was that of cavalry troopers who were out all night protecting the flank of an entrenched infantry battalion. They were adopted by a peer's daughter, whose home adjoined, and were given hot baths, high tea, supper and in the early morning tea.

Buses, lorries, guns and tanks clattering through brought whole villages to their front gates. Their display of good wishes as we proceeded, like their hospitality when we halted, was most moving. It practically enabled us to forget that we were still without mail from home. One grey-haired lady ran down her garden path holding aloft a large New Zealand ensign. Mothers with babies waved, hundreds of girls threw kisses, children cheered wildly and even the most staid of the roadside watchers gave us the übiquitous "thumbs up" sign by which the civil population in Britain demonstrates its own immovable determination and assurances to the fighting services of its loyal support all the way to victory.

BATTLE DRESS WORN LEAVE CENTRE IN LONDON LONDON, July 23 The New Zealand troops in England are now wearing British battledress, which is far more workmanlike than the dress uniform in which they arrived. The New Zealanders brought both uniforms from the Dominion. There is no intention at present of putting the Australians into battledress.

The New Zealand War Services Association is taking premises in Charing Cross Road as a leave centre for the New Zealand forces. The association made an exceptional bargain. The premises, which formerly housed the leading Italian Club, are very commodious, and equipped and furnished to the last detail.