THE TENTH ARMY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 52, 13 May 1942, Page 6

THE TENTH ARMY

With the growth of the Tenth Army-—the youngest branch of the Middle East command—the desert motor transport route, pioneered through Iraq by two New Zealand .soldiers cf the last war, is of increasing importance. Nineteen years ago hen Gerald and Norman Nairn made their first trial runs across the ISyrian desert it was a four days' journey from Damascus to Baghdad. To-day huge air-conditioned buses cross 5,*50 miles m less than a day. To Army personnel on duty between Middle East Headquarters and the Tenth Army. Baghdad is only three days distant from Cairo. The bus oil which 1 returned to Syria was occupied entirely by men and women in uniform. The 18-hour bus journey was cue of the best stages in 1200!) miles •d' travel I have made through live countries in transport either owned -:•• operated by Xew Zenlanders. The air-conditioned buses, each of them almost as long as a Xew Zealand railway carriage, formed the Nairn convoy wherein I left Baghdad yesterday afternoon. This morning I covered the same distance that the iirst Second ?\.Z.E.I", convoy crossed last week. Everything in the Nairn service is designed for speed and comfort. One of the two drivers, whose compartment is separate from the passenger section, sleeps while the other is driving. Before the passengers" seats are adjusted for sleeping a meal is served them while the bus is moving. They wake to a cup of tea on the Syrian border and by 10 o'clock they are in Damascus. When the last stage of my journey began I knew I was nearing the New Zealand lines. Once again I was in the back of the three-tonner with packing cases jolting alongside me as we crossed the hills beyond. Beyrouth.