ADVANCED TRAINING

Camp News, Volume 1, Issue 51, 29 November 1940, Page 6

ADVANCED TRAINING

New Zealand Soldiers In

Egypt

LIFE IN WESTERN DESERT

(From the Official War Correspondent with the N.Z.E.F. in the Middle East).

CAIRO, November 18.

With its own hospitals, post office, transport services, workshops and even bathing beaches, the New Zealand Contingent in the Western Desert has many characteristics of a self-sufficient community. While the enemy keeps his distance, battle stations in the New Zealand sector do not need to be continuously occupied, and units in the field lead comparatively normal lives. The daily routine of the troops varies according to their roles in warfare.

With the latest major digging task over, the infantry and. artillery units are able to concentrate on advanced training. Engineers have 101 jobs to keep them busy, machinery to look after, heavy repairs to make, and constructional work of many kinds. Transport companies are constantly on the move with truck loads of foodstuffs and supplies. Signallers maintain the vital telephone and telegraph systems linking unit with unit, and keeping

the whole force in close touch with the outside world.

Most troops live under canvas, but there the similarity with camp life in early training days begins and ends. Security is now more important than appearance, and tents, sunk deep into the ground, are well separated and sited out of line so that bursting bombs may cause the minimum of damage. Parades, in rhe ordinary /sense, have ho place in the daily routine, one excellent reason being the necessity for avoiding concentrations of men. Moreover. military life has reached a phase where the men usually have definite daily jobs and go to them almost as in

ivilian life.

Organization of recreation and entertainments presents many difficulties in the field. All-wave wireless sets given by the New Zealand public are proving a great boon, and some units have been able to play "football and hockey, challenging other Empire troops in friendly matches on dusty fields. Transport to Mediterranean beaches is provided almost daily for swimming parties

“Fighting fit” were the words used by Mr. Anthony Eden to describe First Contingent men after seeing some of them during his recent tour. One need not go far to realize the aptness of this phrase. Deeply tanned and hard as nails. New Zealanders look veritable sons of the desert.