EXCITING EXPERIENCES IN EGYPT

Southland Times, Issue 17918, 25 April 1917, Page 6

EXCITING EXPERIENCES IN EGYPT

\V. Owens, Australian Supervising Secretary of the Y'.M.C.A., for Egypt, writes: "Gradually but surely our army has moved towards El Arisli, building a splendid railway as it proceeded. In August the Turks tried to stop this forward move, at the battle of Romani, but were unsuccessful. Since then the troops, with their railway, have pushed forward with great rapidity and dash, and a few days ago, without much opposition, occupied El Arisli, about 97 miles from the Canal. This has been a great military feat, and one of which it is impossible to speak too highly. Almost all the Australian troops in Egypt have been employed in this great offensive movement, and have acquitted themselves well. Throughout the whole of tlx is movement, the Y'.M.C.A. lias ever been present witli the troops. Commencing at Kantara in March, as the troops moved forward, we went with them, with tiie result that all along the railway line and also out in the desert from Kantara to Ei Arisli, there is now one long line of Y'.M.C.A. centres. In the battle of Romani we were established in the front line, five centres, and,our secretaries were right on the job, during the wjiole show. When the Turks retreated, and tlie troops moved forward, we were with them again. When we established 75 miles out some weeks ago, one of our marquees was blown to pieces by a bomb from an enemy aeroplane at 7 o’clock in the morning. Furniture and equipment were scattered in all directions. When the smoke and dust liad cleared away, although the tent was almost in ribbons, the Y'.M.C.A. ensign was still flying at the centre pole, flaunting itself in the fact of the enemy 'plane.' At the time of writing we arc established 2% miles 'this side of El Arish, about 95 miles from our starting point, and within a few days expect to erect a sectional hut in the town itself. 1 question whether there is any sphere of Y'.M.C.A. work where the Y'.M. kept so close to the front line during the whole period of an offensive movement. When you consider that the whole advance has taken place throughout a scorching summer, over a barren waste of desert, you will understand that our secretaries have put -in a splendid piece of work which cannot be too highly commended/ I would like you to realise that this has been a great piece of Australian work carried out amongst most of the Australian troops in Egypt, under most trying conditions. All" the Y'.M.C.A. movement has been initiated and controlled by Australian secretaries because it was the field in which Australian troops were operating. It means that we are now established on the borders of Palestine at present. Perhaps the day is not far distant when we shall be with the Australians in the historic land itself.