THE WAITING GAME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23818, 20 November 1940, Page 8

THE WAITING GAME

HARDY SOLDIERS "SONS OF. THE DESERT" ARMY ROUTINE IN EGYPT (From (he Official War Correspondent with the New Zealand Forces in the Middle East) CAIRO, Nov. 18 With its own hospitals, post office, transport services, workshops, and even bathing beaches, the New Zealand Contingent in the Western Desert has many characteristics of a self-sufficient community. . While the enemy keeps his distance and battle stations in the J«ew Zealand sector do not need to bo continuously occupied, units in the field lead comparatively normal lives. .

The daily routine of. the troops varies according to their roles in warfare. With the latest major digging task over, infantry and artillery, units are able to concentrate 011 advanced training. The engineers have a hundred and one jobs to keep thorn busj—machinery to look after, heavy repairs to make, and constructional work of various kinds. Living Under Oanvas The transport companies are constantly on the move with truckloads of foodstuffs and supplies. Signallers maintain the vital telephone and telegraph system, linking unit with unit and keeping the whole force in close touch with. the outside world. Most of the troops live under canvas. Security .is. now more important than appearance, and the tents, sunk deep into the ground, are well separated and out of line, so that bursting bombs may cause a minimum of damage. Parades in the ordinary sense have no place in the daily routine, one excellent reason being the necessity of avoiding concentrations of men. Moreover, military life has reached a phase where the men usually have definite jobs to do each day, and they go to them almost as in civilian life. Radio Sets a Great Boon The organisation of recreation and entertainments presents many difficulties in the field. All-wave wireless'sets given by the New Zealand public are proving a great boon. Some .units have been able to play football and hockey, challenging other Empire troops to friendly matches on dusty fields. Transport to the Mediterranean beaches is provided almost daily for swimming parties. "Fighting fit" were the words used by the Secretary of State for War, Mr. Anthony Eden, to describe the first echelon men after seeing some of them during his recent tour. One need not go far to realise the aptness of this phrase. Deeply tanned and hard as nails, the New Zcalanders look veritable sons of the desert.