IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 62, Issue 4403, 17 March 1941, Page 4

IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

THE announcement last week that the second echelon of New Zealand troops has now been transferred from Great Britain to “ Somewhere in the Middle East ” records a movement of some importance. For one thing it demonstrates how effective is the British command of the seas, for the troopships would have to pass close to enemy territory and through seas where attack is possible both from the air and by submarines. They have had that “ sure shield,” British naval units, and reached their destination safely. This concentration of the New Zealand forces overseas will enable General Freyberg to form a Division, practically' a complete military unit, and to train them as such for whatever tasks may lie ahead. The men from the Dominion are now in a sphere of operations ‘where the outlook is threatening. The Middle East has become the centre of interest, and the world is waiting for the storm to break. Whatever may happen the Dominion will feel confident that the soldier sons will do the tasks allotted to them and do them well. They have a reputation to uphold, a prestige gained, in the first place, in that part of the world, and should give a good account of themselves in the dangerous days ahead.