REVIEWED IN DESERT CAMP

Camp News, Volume 2, Issue 92, 3 October 1941, Page 4

REVIEWED IN DESERT CAMP

N.Z. Infantry Brigade (N.Z.E.F. Official News Service.) CAIRO, August 30. Carrying on with their desert training after being engaged on special duties for some time, an infantry brigade which left New Zealand a year ago almost to the day displayed a high degree of precision and steadiness before Major-General B. C. Freyberg, V.C., when he reviewed them in theii desert camp this week. Impressiveness wasxadded to the parade by the presence ,of the brigade transport which was inspected after the march past of the troops and in its turn rolled past the General at the saluting base. In the slanting rays, of the morning sun, while the day was yet cool, the, infantry battalions marched on to their positions on the desert parade ground, behind them the lines of motor-cycles, Bren carriers, and • light and heavy trucks. The alignment of the vehicles

was as meticulous as the dressing of the soldiers, and at the wheel of each truck sat a bronzed New Zealand driver. Much has been written of- the high standard of physical fitness of members of the Second N.Z.E.F., and this brigade 'was no exception. The men wore sun helmets, khaki shirts with sleeves rolled' above tanned forearms, and khaki shorts. Their drill movements showed a fine precision and the steadiness was excellent as the General, accompanied by the commander of the brigade, passed along the ranks while the brigade band played a slow march. After the inspection General Freyberg told the men that he had watched with interest their training. He had never had any doubts as to the solidity of the basic material of the brigade. Mentioning that he had not bad the opportunity to speak to this brigade before it left for Greece, he congratulated them on the part they had played in that campaign. They had fought much of the rearguard action, and had been the last brigade to embark from the beaches. The general wished the then to know that their actions had been entirely appreciated. . He went on to congratulate the men on their turn-out on this- parade. The General then moved to the saluting base where he took the salute as the. troops marched past — a South Island battalion, a Wellington battalion, and an Auckland battalion. Sturdy brown knees swung by while the band played from-the top of an escarpment behind' the saluting base. ’ Then followed th e inspection of the transport. As he moved along the lines of vehicles General Freyberg stopped here and there to chat with'a motor-cyclist or member of a Bren carrier crew, asking the men’s opin ions on the desert-worthiness of different types of vehicles. Back on the; saluting base he took i. salute from each vehicle as it rolled past. Motor-cycles . roared by, followed by a long line of Bren carriers, the tracks clattering on the roadway Then came the trucks, impressive b.v their numbers and I'm even spacing they kept in line.The brigade commander could not but be proud of the morning’s display given by his men. They are at present engaged in strenuous desert training, including much night marching ami large-scale attack manoeuvres.