THE WEAL OF THE DRAGON IS SPOKEN

Dragon, 1 December 1942, Page 20

THE WEAL OF THE DRAGON IS SPOKEN

Extract from R.O. No. 142, dated 3/9/42: —

"The design of the Dragon Rampant has been approved by Army H.Q. as our official formation sign.

The Dragon has been traditionally distinguished in mythology for a variety of outstanding qualities; . . . the offensive spirit, mobility, tenacity, cunning, ..."

The requirements of a dinkum N.Z. Trooper, Are somewhat large and varied it is plain; Yet they make 'em from a grocer or a cooper, Provided that they have a little brain. A little brawn is also a requirement No puny pigmy can achieve the goal. From our Brigade he soon gets his retirement To earn an honest living— the dole. For MOBILITY, TENACITY, and CUNNING, With OFFENSIVE SPIRIT also in the running, Are fundamental qualities And not absurd frivolities, When for the Japs, or sim'lar chaps, we go a-gunning Forearmed with these pre-requisite essentials, A dash of brainpower and a spot of brawn, ('Tis helpful to possess ersatz credentials) A Trooper of the bold Brigade is born. We're bundled to a camp in the North Island Where men are men, and women are so few: We're bossed about and drilled—(tho' not on dry land) Ere we become a member of a crew.

For MOBILITY, TENACITY, and CUNNING, With OFFENSIVE SPIRIT also in the running, Are inherent to our training Ere they let us start in braining Huns or Japs, when for these chaps we go a-gunning.

Now MOBILITY—the first of these achievements Is inculcated from the very start, And tho' there may be one or two bereavements, Yet seldom do our friends forever part. We're not in camp a week seldom longer, When dysentry will strike us in a flash; And this urge (and there can't be many stronger) Soon teaches us MOBILITY and dash.

For MOBILITY, TENACITY, and CUNNING, With OFFENSIVE SPIRIT also in the running, Are included in our training Ere they let us commence paining Huns or Japs, when for these chaps we go a-gunning

Now having thus mobilty acquired, Acquired it until it becomes a habit, TENACITY is easily inspired, (No more we need scuttle like a rabbit). TENACITY'S the trait of holding tightly We learn this by experience alone— Possessions we must —nor hold 'em lightly, Or we never have a stitch to call our own. For MOBILITY, TENACITY, and CUNNING, With OFFENSIVE SPIRIT also in the running, Are taught They call it training! Questionmark?Ere we go maiming Huns or Japs, when for these chaps we go a-gunning And so we come to number three essential, That's CUNNING (which is found in all intrigues), And this we learn in dodging pestilential And never-ending Camp and Block fatigues. From day to day we think up fresh excuses Of how we can the sergeant's mind befog, And in spite (or p'rhaps because) of his abuses We learn the CUNNING of a Maori dog. For MOBILITY, TENACITY, and CUNNING, With OFFENSIVE SPIRIT also in the running, Are factors consequential So we'll not be deferential

When for the Japs, or sim'lar chaps, we go a-gunning.

OFFENSIVE SPIRIT next receives attention: And on this point they don't seem very clear Is this a quality which R.O.'s mention, Or is it euphemistic for our beer? If it’s the latter, then the bull ring rigour Will teach us to acquire it with more zest. With an astonishing amount of vigour We strive, we seek, we find, we do not rest.

For MOBILITY, TENACITY, and CUNNING, With OFFENSIVE SPIRIT also in the running, Are learnt by us obscurely Not straighforwad or demurely, Ere for the Japs or sim'lar chaps we go a-gunning

So these attributes which seem so monumental Which we hold common with St. George's pal, Will help when meeting Hun or Oriental, To give 'em curtains—or to give 'em hell. So may the mantle of this mystic figure (And this the wish of R.O. one-four-two) Give strength and power and courage to our trigger, And change poor Adolf's looks from black to blue.

For MOBILITY, TENACITY, and CUNNING, With OFFENSIVE SPIRIT also in the running, Is the spirit of the Dragon To which we'll hitch our wagon, When for the Japs, or sim'lar chaps, we go a-gunning.