ANTI-TANK BATTERY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24337, 29 June 1940, Page 13

ANTI-TANK BATTERY

ARRIVAL IN EGYPT FROM OVERCOATS TO SHORTS HEAT TRYING AT FIRST jFrom Our Own Correspondent) LONDON, June 4, When New Zealand anti-tank batteries left Aldershot to link up with the first echelon in Egypt, officers and men were swathed in scarves and bulging with overcoats. Eight days later they were perspiring in shorts and open-neck shirts in the desert. • The sudden change to intense heat so soon after experiencing one of the coldest winters known in Britain for 50 years affected some of the men fcr a few days. There were cases of " Gypo tummy " and other temporary ailments. " But they were all right again when I left them," said Major C. J. Duff, their commanding officer, who is back in" London. " The boys had a good trip, and they enjoyed it. On the way over to France they got their first taste of active duty, when the look-outs manned Bren guns in case of attack by aircraft, Going overland in France to connect with a troop transport, they sampled champagne! "In the troopship they, used hammocks for the first time, end were made very comfortable. The ship was well fitted up, and there an assortment of men travelling. "Our boys cleaned up everything during the ship's sports, and they even, produced a hefty tug-of-war team which pulled over a naval team. It was a great event and caused a lot of excitement. They also put on a very good concert party, which went down well. "" General Freyberg met us on out arrival, and we went into a camp prepared for us by an advance party. The battery will not be split up, but will be kept together as one unit. Before I left they had already had driving exercises in the desert.' They are a good crowd of chaps, and I know thev will do well." :