DESERT WARFARE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24104, 24 October 1941, Page 8

DESERT WARFARE

TRAINING IN TACTICS NEW ZEALAND FORCE MANY LESSONS TO LEARN (Official War Correspondent, N.Z.E.F.) WESTERN DESERT, Oct. 22 Daring aggressive tactics have been tried out in mock battles fought deep in the desert wilderness by New Zealand formations. The force has reached a high state of desert-worthiness by constant practice in long inotorised treks by night and day and realistic tactical exercises. All bough news of major New Zealand Expeditionary Force activities in periods between action often seems reiteration, the importance of tactical exercises cannot bo over-rated. if they arc to win victories with the maximum of swiftness and the minimum of casualties, our lighting troops must learn to master the desert as an apprentice masters a trade. By repeated experience tliey must, learn how to bridge its immense distances and how to meet the dangers of its open spaces. By prolonged tests they must harden themselves to light such natural enemies as dust, thirst, exposure to heat and cold. Their officers must be able to read its apathetic face like an open book. When all these safeguards and teachings approach the point, of being second nature the troops must consider the extent to which the enemy has mastered the desert. What man-made barriers has lie raised to reinforce its own defences? What faith has he put in concrete, wire and stone? How strongly with guns, tanks and aeroplanes does he dominate approaches!-' How will he strike if he strikes first? The answers to such questions may only be given in the final test, but constant practice and experiment may swing them in our favour. Training for desert warfare is like cooking camel meat stew —it takes a lot. of over-doing. Since it was brought up to strength five months ago alter the Malkans campaign the New Zealand force has been cooking its stew with patience and a determination to be thorough. Whenever commanding officers are asked how their new material is shaping the answer is invariably, "Splendidly." Newcomers to the battalions and regiments are helped by an ambition to be worthy of their units' traditions.