BRITAIN'S DEFENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 223, 19 September 1940, Page 10

BRITAIN'S DEFENCE.

N.Z. TROOPS , PART.

NAZI PRISONERS TAKEN. Mr. J H. Hall.) LONDON, September 17. To the extent that England ie now a theatre of war, New Zealandera are in the field, and have been allotted new and more responsible, and a much more active, part in the defence system of the United Kingdom. The troops moved by night and have been bivouacked in a new quarter of the country within quick striking distance of a possible invader. They will remain here ae long as the threat of invasion continues, or until the bad weather season eets in and a rearrangement of dispositions is made. Fierce Aerial Combats. Officers and non-commissioned officers have been buey since their arrival reconnoitring the ground over which they may be called upon to fight, and an early practice in an advance by full force is probable. AH ranke are highly pleased with the prospects of being well forward should the enemy come to England. Fierce aerial combat overhead ie a daily occurrence. Every night quivers with the din or anti-aircraft guns and long-range artillery. All of us have seen enemy 'planes ehot down, and enemy crewe baling out. The men of two unite have been luckier than their fellows, having been the first on the scene of forced landinge and taken enemy airmen prisoners. Competition in this branch of warfare ie especially keen, as one British pilot who landed by parachute can testify. Aβ he neared the ground, but still high enough for hie uniform to be unidentifiable, soldiers with fixed 'bayonets came charging towards him from all directions. They were New Zealanders acting upon the safe presumption that everyone coming down is an enemy until proved a friend. When it was found that he was "one of ours" they gave the officer an" embarrassingly admiring welcome to earth. Collecting of Souvenirs. Souvenir collecting ie briek. First parcels can be expected in New Zealand shortly containing possibly little pieces of parachute silk, dyed in real German blood. Thirty-eight non-commissioned officers selected to train for first commissions have assembled for preliminary instruction. They are being drafted to British Army- Officer Cadet Training Units as vacancies occur. Already the first ten have entered Sandhurst, where they have been attached to the brigade of the Guards Company.—(Press Assn.)