WITH THE TROOPS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 163, 22 May 1940, Page 8

WITH THE TROOPS

ON THE AIR IN EGYPT (N.Z.E.F. Official News Scrvice). EGYPT, April 23. With landlines, microphones and a van full of equipment, radio engineers this week converted the camp of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force into a chain of broadcasting studios. Scenes at which the "diggers" of the last war would have gaped were witnessed as soklicr-actors rehearsed their parts and were lined up before the microphone. The occasion was the recording for the British Broadcasting Corporation of a series of interviews aimed at re-producing on the air the atmosphere of the New Zealand Camp. The recordings are to be sent to England for transmission from that country. Prepared by the publicity staff of the force, with the cooperation of the Egyptian State Broadcasting Service, the interviews were successfully carried out with a minimum of rehearsing. Taking the form of brief conducted tours, the series dealt with a cook house, men's mess, leave parade, post office, sports activities, signal office and records office. An Egyptian State Broadcasting announcer played the part of a visitor who was being shown the activity at these points about the camp. The scripts had been prepared in advance, and in most cases a single rehearsal was sufficient. Officers, non-commissioned officers and men alike were called upon to play parts of varying lengths. Others provided the required "sound effects," creating a realistic background to' the interviews. An interested spectator was a British Broadcasting Corporation commentator who had recently been stationed 011 the Western Front. TWO MONTHS IN EGYPT EGYPT, April 13. The end of the first two months in Egypt sees the First Contingent of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force well established . ! n its camp on the desert. Although these months have been busy ones, they have been marked by no apparent changes in the circumstances which surround the presence of the forces in Egypt. While advanced training goes on, the New Zealanders feel that they must continue to play a patient, waiting game. This week's news of the German invasion of Denmark and Norway has been followed with intense interest. Conjectures as to the possible effects it may have on the war as a whole and on the future of the force in particular have naturally become the chief topic of conversation. Background of Experience. In the meantime, the force continues its training towards the attainment of a level of efficiency which will make it "ready for an 3*thing." So frequently that the sight is nothing unusual, a long column of infantrymen marches out of camp for a day or two of exercises somewhere in the desert under service conditions; signal office lorries and wireless trucks silip quietly away in convoy to co-operate with other Empire troops in realistic manoeuvres. Activities like these are building an increasingly valuable background of experience. Parties from some of the specialist units have spent mosti of the two months away from the. camp, living and training with English and Indian troops who are also stationed in Egypt. They have gained much practical knowledge as a result of this system of co-operation. In the camp, too, training activities are running smoothly, for the

adjustment of the force to the new conditions was quickly accomplished. Cooler Uniform. Members of the force will shortly go about their work in the comfort-* able hot-weather dress of shirts and shorts. This has already been adopted to some extent, and will become general when issues of the new articles of clothing are made to all men. Boots will be worn with socks,., short puttees and hose tops. Serge uniforms have given place to khaki drill for w T ear in the evenings ancl[ on leave. The New Zealand broad-brimmecl ' hat, incidentally, will remain in vogue for summer wear. There was a move some time ago to have it re--placed by a sun helmet, but opinions were evenly divided on the suggestion, and it was decided that the - "pyramid" felt would be retained. No Serious Illness. Just what hot weather means in Eg3 r pt may be difficult for those at home to understand. The New land soldiers have had a taste ofSjt during the past few days— tures as high as 104 degrees insrdethe tents, and a breeze that feels like a hot blanket thrown in theface. Fortunately, the nights arc still mild, and in addition the showers and swimming baths with which the camp is equipped are proving invaluable in solving the problem of " keeping cool. The baths are crowded each evening, from before dinner until after dark. In spite of the heat, too, modem knowledge of hygiene and sanitation appears to be an effective bulwark: against illness and disease on any serious scale, for the general healtrt of the force has maintained its highstandard. Difficulties which would have been experienced in keeping: clothes clean in the heat and dust have been completely avoided by the laundry system, by which washing is now done twice weekly without charge fo the soldier. Sports Activities. Generous leave arrangements havebeen in force during the whole period, with the result that the New Zealanders feel completely at hornsWhen they visit Cairo. Barriers of language, however, are sources or amusement and sometimes inconvenience,, and it is perhaps just aswell that a good deal of English is spoken. Nevertheless many soldiers, especially those who have been away from the camp on instruction cour--ses, have picked up a surprisinglyabundant stock of Arabic words and expressions. Every man in the forceknows how to say "Imshee!" to tell a street vendor to make himself scarce, but it is something more t*> have enough words to hold a conversation. French is probably amore useful language to learn here,, however, and regular classes areheld in conjunction with the activities of a soldiers' social tent established by English women near thecamp. Although they have changed with the season, sports activities are still an important part of the camp lifeAt the present time swimming holds; pride of place, but the organisation of cricket is well under way. After the success of the New Zealandersr on the football field, their venturesin summer sports are being awaited' with great interest.