LIFE IN EGYPT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21818, 22 November 1940, Page 4

LIFE IN EGYPT

Wanganui Soldier Returns Men Have Few Complaints By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, November 21. An enlightening account of life in Egypt was given in an interview this morning by Mr W. L. J. Pleasants, a former well-known Wanganui footballer, who was injured while serving with the New Zealand Army Service Corps and has now returned to the Dominion. “The First Echelon boys,” said Mr Pleasants, “all seemed fit and happy in then- new life, and there certainly was little to complain of over there.” Mr Pleasants left Egypt in August and at that time some of the troops had begun to move up to the front-line stations in the desert. They did not appear to mind the life in the desert for they were almost as well looked after as when they were at the base camp. There was little difference in the food, for big mobile kitchens kept them well supplied. Mr Pleasants served at an important British base a great distance from Cairo and found conditions there as good as at the main camp. Life in Egypt was full of interest—it was a fascinating country, he stated—but there was no country like New Zealand. Because of the low concession rates the soldiers had had an excellent opportunity of seeing the country. As an example of the way they were catered for, he stated that one weekend he travelled to Luxor, a 24-hour train journey. The total cost of the week-end, including travel and accommodation, was only £2/10/-. Terrific Heat The main complaint in Egypt was, of course, the heat. The hottest day he had experienced was when the temperature went up to 138 degrees in the shade. The hottest period of the day was not at noon but usually between 2 and 4 p.m. Then at about 10 o’clock at night the temperature would suddenly drop to freezing point. This was due to the fact that the sand does not hold the heat. For instance, one day when the troops were in the desert the water in their bottles became hot enough to shave with. However, by placing the water-bottles only a few inches in the sand it was possible to make the water cold enough for drinking in about 15 minutes. One of the features of Egypt which most impressed Mr Pleasants was the fertility of the Nile Delta. Whereas only one crop a year could be grown in New Zealand there four crops—mainly cotton, corn and rice—were grown annually. Mr Pleasants saw little of the Italians while in the Middle East, but a camp where he was stationed was visited once by Italian ’planes. They dropped their bombs but did no damage because they were flying at a safe altitude of 25,000 feet, which was hardly conducive to accuracy. The Italian ’planes, tri-motor aircraft, had a peculiar drone and could be heard long before they arrived over the camp. The Italian army, he said, badly needed water and for that reason they particularly wanted possession of the British base at Mersa Matruh. Pipelines from Libya were laid by the Italians as they advanced but as fast as they were put down they were blown up by the R.A.F.