SONS OF THE DESERT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21816, 20 November 1940, Page 6

SONS OF THE DESERT

New Zealanders In The Field Life Almost Normal (From the Official War Correspondent attached to the New Zealand Forces in Egypt.) CAIRO, November 18. With its own hospitals, post office, transport services, workshops and even bathing beaches, the New Zealand contingent in the Western Desert has many of the characteristics of a selfsufficient community, and while the enemy keeps his distance and battle stations in the New Zealand sector do not need to be continuously occupied, units in the field lead comparatively normal lives. The daily routine of the troops varies according to then’ roles in warfare. With the latest major diggingtask over, infantry and artillery units are able to concentrate on advanced training. The engineers have a hundred and one jobs to keep them busy—machinery to look after, heavy repairs to make and constructional work of various kinds. Transport companies are constantly on the move with truckloads of foodstuffs and supplies and signallers maintain the vital telephone and telegraph system linking unit with unit and keeping the whole force in close touch with the outside world. Security Important Factor Most of the troops live under canvas, but there similarity with camp life in the early training days begins and ends. Security is now more important than appearance and the tents, sunk deep into the ground, are well separated and sited out of line so that bursting bombs may cause a minimum of damage. Parades in the ordinary sense have no place in the daily routine, one excellent reason being the necessity of avoiding concentrations of men. Moreover military life has reached a phase where the men usually have definite jobs to do each day and go to them almost as in civilian life. Organisation of recreation and entertainments presents many difficulties in the field and all-wave wireless sets given by the New Zealand public are proving a great boon. Some units have been able to play football and hockey, challenging other Empire troops in friendly matches on dusty fields. Transport to the Mediterranean beaches is provided almost daily for swimming parties. “Fighting fit,” were the words used by Mr Anthony Eden to describe the first contingent men after seeing some of them during a recent tour and one need not go far to realise the aptness of this phrase. Deeply tanned and as hard as nails the New Zealanders look veritable sons of the desert.