FRONTIER DUTIES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 121, 25 May 1942, Page 6

FRONTIER DUTIES

N.Z. SOLDIERS IN SYRIA INSPECTION OF TAURUS EXPRESS (Official War Correspondent, N.Z.E.F.) CAIRO, May 23. Just a few hundred yards within the northern border of Syria New Zealand soldiers examine passports and inspect the famous Taurus express on the Berlin-Bagdad railway. The train runs from Istanbul to Bagdad and return, stopping at this border station, over which flv the flags of Britain. France and Syria. It was a New Zealand brigade that raised the first Union Jack flown at the station. The train's arrival was awaited one breath-takingly hot afternoon On a side line stood a magnificent 120-ton Krupp engine, which was to take on the train through Turkey. It was built in 1940. A friendly Turkish driver took several New Zealanders into the cab. He moved the engine 50 yards or so down the siding for the soldiers' benefit. A bell gave warning of the train's approach over the track and viaduct which it is believed New Zealand prisoners helped to build in the last war. A guard with bayonets fixed formed up on both sides of the stopping place while officers inspected the train. A security sergeant with 10 languages at his command accompanied them.

The luxurious carriages were occupied by people of many nationalities, who were obviously now used to the proceedings arid on'v mildly interested. Everything was found correct and the engines were changed. Then the express drew out to disappear shortly behind the still lightly snow-clad Taurus mountains