STAND READY

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21193, 16 August 1940, Page 6

STAND READY

NEW ZEALAND TROOPS MILITARY EFFICIENCY WOULD WELCOME ACTION (From the Official War Correspondent attached to the .New Zealand Forces in Britain.) BRITAIN, August 15 As the Nazi threat to Britain’s shores gathers volume and intensity, the New Zealand troops, fully equipped for immediate and, if need be, prolonged warfare, stand ready for any emergency as an integral part of the defence system of the United Kingdom. The New Zealand Force would in the event of invasion receive orders to move at shortest notice to battle l position. It would have moved so ; | and gladly, had the attack come a j month ago, although at that time they were scarcely adequately prepared. ; That disability no longer ap- : plies. Advanced training dur- ’ ing the* past month has imparted a professional finish to the military efficiency of the New Zealanders, until now it is considered they are as ready for - battle as the Anzacs were at the » time of the Gallipoli landing, as » ready indeed as they can be i without actual experience of ’ ; warfare. | This appears to be the unanimous opinion of all ranks who served in the last war. The mood of the men is one of quiet determination, no more aggressively belligerent than ! their fathers were a generation ago. They are at least equally keen to get on with the job. Accordingly, i although none wishes to see this lovely old land invaded, nothing - would please them better than to ! come soon to grips with the enemy, whether on our soil or his.