GUARDING SYRIA

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24302, 17 June 1942, Page 4

GUARDING SYRIA

NEW ZEALANDERS FIT VARIED TACTICAL TRAINING (N.Z.E.F. Official War Correspondent) BEIRUT, June 12 The possibility of Syria, a battleground for 5000 years, seeing further fighting in this war steadily lessens as the United Nations pour war equipment into the Middle East. The Allied Fleet watches the Eastern Mediterranean, and on land tho Russian Army in the Caucasus and Azerbaijan Mountains stands betweon the German forces and the riches of Iran, Irak and Syria, where the Ninth and Tenth British Armies are stationed. Guarding the age-old invasion ioutes into Syria is the Ninth Army, including the New Zealand Division, and Australians. There is no defensive inertia in the division. In bitter tvnds, on tho snowliekls, and in the leaden heat of the Syrian Desert, the New Zealanders have been carrying out intensive tactical training. One week the troops have been lorried-infantry in strong striking force, and the next, mountain troops carrying their supplies by mules, and forcing their way long miles over steep, scrub-covered wastes. Close air support provides long-range eyes, and the artillery and land forces add a powerful weapon to the already strong brigade group organisation. Two New Zealand brigades have already manoeuvred in Syria as independent striking forces, and a third, which fought five weeks in Libya as a brigade group, is starting similar training shortly. A feature of these manoeuvres has been the success of the air support scheme. Long marches, plenty of digging and road-making have made the New Zealanders brown and fit. Live shooting by all arms has added interest to the training. Occasional changes of position, including weeks of change of air in a camp at the seaside, have relieved the monotony of being out of action. The next action will find one of the most experienced divisions in the British Army at its best.