SECOND ECHELON IN POSITION

Camp News, Volume 1, Issue 43, 4 October 1940, Page 7

SECOND ECHELON IN POSITION

Part In Britain’s Defence

WATCHING AND WAITING FOR INVADERS

The function of her European army in. this most glorious fortnight of Britain’s civilian history has been to watch and wait to line the ramparts of England, ready, if the foe should come, to strike nim a blow from which he will never recover.

Though a very small unit among the million and a quarter men thus standing to arms, the New. Zealand second echelon has been honoured with an important forward position and in the last week has further improved i its plans for striking quickly and hard when the call comes.

British public opinion -on the possibility of .an invasion remains divided, but with growing might against it. None the less, the preparedness already unparalleled in this island’s long story of hard-fought freedom is being intensified daily.

It is distasteful to be, as. it were, idly standing by while the air force and navy do all the work and unprotected women and children bear much of the brunt of the. vicious and merciless attack, but- it is a part which the needs of the moment require of the soldiers.

Meanwhile, it is an - unforgettable privilege to be here and to gather ’ inspiration from the incomparable valour of our airmen and the magnificent courage under assault of the' common people of Britain.

“A young fisherman was transferred to the Northern Patrol —somewhere between Shetland’s and Iceland, where the sea is very rough.

But he continued to write cheerful letters to his mother this: “Dear Mother Everything is marvellous. We have six meals a day—three down and three up!”