WITH THE TROOPS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 177, 24 June 1940, Page 2

WITH THE TROOPS

AT SEA WITH THE SECOND

ECHELON

(From the N.Z. Official War Correspondent) H.M.T. May. 1940. The sombre grey of Wellington's haze-wreathed hills gave way to winter sunshine as the ships of tlv? Second New Zealand troop convoy, North and South Island section? joined, steamed through Cook Strait in voyage formation and stood out to sea. Before sunset the clouds had closed again; dusk came too soon for eyes turning momentarily and a little wistfully from the adventure ahead toward the dim, receding coastline. Presently the only visible link with home' was the flashing light on Cape Farewell, stabbing the utter darkness of blacked-out ships upon an all-black ocean. Men knew that on the mor>row they would wake to wider horizons . The gates of the world were open for a new generation of New Zealand soldiers. Orderliness the Feature. Orderliness born of willing and generous co-operation is the chief feature of our life at sea—perhaps even more so than .in camp. Whereas hitherto officers, N.C-O.'s and men have formed a little 'community all to themselves, we share life now Avith officers and men of the Mercantile Marine; and our common safety is the concern of the Royal Navy, whose ships attend us with silent but comforting diligence. Nevertheless, thanks to goodwill and adaptability on all sides, plus excellent military and naval organisation, the transition from shore [life to sea life has been accomplished with a minimum of disturb- | ance. What disturbance there Js, is mostly physical. Even in rhildest moods the Tasman Sea refuses I to stay still. Some of the troops are sorely stricken, more are squeamish; |ish; all of us have difficulty in preserving balance at drill. Otherwise training proceeds,, modified only to the extent necessitated by restricted parade space. A Pilascot Makes History. "Borax" has set a first paw on the ladder of fame, Borax of the 22nd Rifle Battalion. He was "named" in Routine Orders the first day out of port. "The soldier or soldiers responsible for bringing on board H.M.T, Blank the dog commonly known ar: "Borax" will report"'to their Unit Headquarters. The latter will advise Ship's Adjutant." Promptly next morning two sergeants of "A" Coy., 22nd Battalion, reported to their Orderly Room, accepting responsibility. Borax, who is reputed to have entered camp ai Trentham as a volunteer, is a militant minded terrier. A regular application for leave to take him over seas had been made in camp, and refused; therefore his irregular embarkation was a matter of some moment. Rumour had it that the sergeants would lose their stripes, and that Borax would be destroyed. So far it has not worked that way. 'A" Coy commander, after investigating the case, reported that the "confession" did. not tally Avith fact. The sergeants had taken it upon themselves to act as scapegoats for the company. Borax, who was a legacy from the 19th Battalion when the First Echelon sailed, had been adopted by "A" Coy of the 22nd Battalion,, and frequently went on leave with it in troop trains. "A" Coy provided him with a 'uniform' duly marked with number and unit. Apparently—so runs the official version—Borax mistook the embarkation train for a leave train, and went with it. When the train reached the wharf he was put in the luggage hoist more or less as a joke—and here he is! What is more —only do not take ! this as official —here he may stay until we disembark, and then go with us. . Lieutenant-Colonel L. W. Andrew, V.C., N.Z.S.C., O/C the 22nd Battalion, is O/C Troops aboard this transport. Also, having been through the mill himself —he was a lance-corporal in the Wellington Regiment of the First N.Z.E.F. when he won the Victoria Cross at La Basse Ville —he understands soldiers and their strange ways with mascots. His men's respect for him is no-t impaired by their strong suspicion that the colonel has a soft spot in his heart for Borax. Britain's Big Ships. None of us will ever forget our first sight of ships bearing brothers in arms. The details may not yet

be told:; but when the war is over they will be told round homo liresides for years to come. So great a company of fine ships has seldom if ever been seen south of the Equator. They are not a multitude 'is were the ships of the First Crusade or of the Armada. In number they do not bear comparisons with the Main Body convoy in 1914. But a ever before have there been such uoopships. Our own procession as we cleared New Zealand was impressive enough to inland eyes: each new unit that has come over the rim of the sea to join us has brought added wonder. Now, complete, we plough our stately way through warmer waters-: by day a magnificent spectacle; by night as well as by day one more demonstration of the greatness of British scapower and of the security which it ensures to peace-loving peoples. Brigadier's Message. "Some twenty-five years ago T sailed from Wellington with the Main Body, in good company, all h) good heart. A few short days ago I sailed once more, this time with the Second Echelon of the next New Zealand Expeditionary Force,"said Brigadier J. Hargest, D.5.0., M.C., Officer Commanding the Second Echelon, in a speial message to the Press and people of New Zealand; communicated through the New Zea land Official War Correspondent while the convoy was en route to its destination. "The contrast in the two movements was tremendous, but only in one direction —the vast improvement in the ships and the condition under which we are proceeding, once more, to Egypt. "Last time I shared a hutch some eight feet square, bolted on to Ine iron deck of a cargo steamer, which carried ; 1050 men and 800 horses. Only those who have shared the experience will appreciate our trials and tribulations, and the terrific labour involved in keeping our horses fit. Travel in Comfort. "This time we all travel in great comfort in the finest super ships the British Merchant Navy has ever gathered in one convoy. And the comfort is not Jimited to officers. The most poorly placed men of this Echelon is infinitely better off for ] accommodation, food and attention, j than the most favoured of his pre-j decessors in 1914-18. The-latter, m j his wildest dreams, never imagined going to Avar, Ayaited on at the table by steAA'ards, and provided with the menu of a famous shipping line, f hat is the effect of 25 years' progress. "B,ut there the contrast between our first and second expeditionary forces ends. In spirit;, in physique and in quiet solid efficiency, the Ncav Zealander of this generation is unsurpassed by any of this forbears who trod the same path of duty. Respect for Surroundings. "Units of the Second Echelon arc doubly fortunate because such a large proportion of the troops are men Avho had responsibilities in civil life Avhicli they could not discard lightly. Their personality and ability reflects this fact. Tfiey keen, and quick to learn,, ready to appreciate what is required of them, and equally, Avhat is done for them. "It is apt to mention here that ali ships' staffs have commented on the willingness to take their share of the duties, often onerous ones, needed to enable such large vessel? to run smoothly.. They have also shown on all occasions the respect and care due to the beautiful and costly surroundings in AA'hich they are travelling. "People are apt to be impatient and critical of the younger generation, but my experience with these 8000 felloAv countrymen, both European and Maori, has proved beyond doubt that the breed still runs true to form. The modest, manly quailties Avhich made men of the Silent Division" so beloved Avherever they went in 1914-18 are giving an enhanced reputation to the troops of to-day. Moreover, I fpel sure that Avith their thorough training and good leadership, when the day of battle comes, they will do well. "All ranks are fit, thanks largely to the care and attention bestowed upon them by the medical staffs, including our capable New Zealand nurses. "Modern AA r ar demands above ail a thorough understanding of the team Avork involved in military operations, and close, cordial co-op-eration between the various fighting units and services concerned. (Continued foot next column).

In my opinion, the units of the Second Echelon have already developed a camaradei-ie which will enable them to stand by each other when the test comes. "We are looking forward to join- > ing our friends of the First Echelon, and going ahead with the task for. which we all left New Zealand to enable our people, and less fortunate people, to live quietly in freedom, comfort and security." The troops are now in England.