SCENES AT DEPARTURE

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21037, 13 February 1940, Page 6

SCENES AT DEPARTURE

LUXURY LINERS EMPLOYED THOUSANDS ON FORESHORE New Zealand’s military history eni tered a new phase with the departure | of the men forming the First Echelon ■ of the Second New Zealand ExpediI tionary Force. The naval escort in- > eluded the 29,000-ton battleship Ramillies, H.M.A.S. Canberra, of the Australian Navy, and the Leander. The embarkation and the departure of the transports and battleships provided memorable scenes. There was, of course, no announcement of the time of sailing, but it had been anticipated by many thousands of people, and when the great ships began to move from the anchorage they had occupied throughout the night and swing their bows towards the open sea. the foreshore was already thick with onlookers. Promise of Safety Preceded by H.M.A.S. Canberra, the transports left the harbour one by one, and their departure was so timed that a distance of from two to three miles separated them from each other in the line. Then three blasts of a siren signified that the Ramillies was leaving her berth to bring up the rear of the convoy. Her great guns and obvious power and strength implied a promise that the safety of the ships under her care would be well looked to. Meanwhile, an ever-increasing crowd had gathered. As each liner passed through the harbour there was a great hooting of car horns and bursts of cheering, and answering cheers from the ships could be faintly heard. As the Ramillies cleared the harbour the line of great ships receding into the distance made a magnificent spectacle from which onlookers were reluctant to turn. The main embarkation began at 8 a.m. News that the soldiers were on the move spread rapidly, with the result that from the arrival of the first train until early in the afternoon, when the last of the ships moved out, all parts of the wharves open to the public, and from which a view of any part of the troopships could be obtained, were packed with people. The embarkation plans provided for the departure of the troopships from their berths at quarter-hour a—tervals. The schedule was adhered to. The troopships anchored parallel to each other and lay there throughout a calm, warm summer afternoon and night. High Standard of Comfort The high standard of ocean travel provided for the New Zealand troops deserves mention. Probably soldiers have never before crossed the seas during wartime in such comfort. All but 1400 of the soldiers of all ranks in the echelon travelled in liners under conditions very little different from those provided for peacetime tourists, and the remainder travelled in a specially-built ship designed to ensure as far as possible the comfort and health of the men.

Each ship was equipped with ample hospital accommodation, medical officers and nursing staffs, and complete medical and surgical supplies. There were also well-stocked libraries, sports material and games.

PREVENTED FROM SAILING

17-YEAR-OLD TOO YOUNG The most disappointed young man in New Zealand was the 17-year-old enthusiast whose age was discovered only at the last moment. This youth had done the whole of his camp training, was attached to a unit, and had travelled to Wellington ready and anxious to sail. A telegram from his parents reached the authorities just in time. This gave away his secret and revealed his age, and the military authorities could do nothing but hastily locate

him and refuse to allow him to sail. One a Gate-Crasher One unit found that it had a man too many, and an investigation showed the presence of a soldier, complete with uniform, but without a kit. who was a complete stranger to all. When questioned, the man said that he was taking the place of a soldier who had become ill and was unable to sail. A check of the records, however, showed that the woulcl-be recruit was proposing to leave without the essential preliminary of three month’s camp training, and he too was left behind, nut altogether without regret.