EFFICIENT WORK

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21358, 28 February 1941, Page 6

EFFICIENT WORK

DOMINION TROOPS (From the.omcial War Correspondent with the New Zealand Forces In the Middle East) CAIRO, Feb. 26 Another illustration of the fact that although the parts played by the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces in the Libyan campaign were comparatively unspectacular they were carried out with outstanding efficiency and thoroughness is given in the record of the Field Park Engineers, who have rejoined the force after serving until the fall of Benghazi. Ihe New Zealanders were entrusted to a wide range of responsibilities whose fulfilment demanded the highest degree of initiative and skill. Not far behind the fighting troops, they took Bardia, Tobruk ana Derna in their stride as they helped to tackle the immense job of setting wheels in motion again on the vast battlefield. Their tasks included the investigation of engineering stores, salvaging enemy vehicles, the operation of water points and power houses, the running of a special supply column, the removal or destruction of enemy mines, booby traps and bombs, plus geneial workshop activities. At times the company was spread over as many as 100 miles, split into parties doing different work at difierffit points. Headquarters varied from a bivouac in tne desert to a mansion at Derna and the basement of an Italian monument at Baree. At the latter place the New Zealanders left a remarkable monument to their own ingenuity to replace a bridge which crossed a deep gully on the main road and which had been demolished by the Italians. They built another with steel scaffolding salvaged from an enemy hangar.