FROM THE FRONT

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2525, 28 July 1915, Page 8

FROM THE FRONT

HOW OUR MEN BEHAVED

CARE OF THE SICK

_.THE DELIVERY OP MAILS i£.

!A! Very interesting; news letter about happenings; in Egypt and at the front in (xiUlipoli Jias been received bv tile Minister of Defence from .Colonel Esson, ■A.A.M.G-., at, tlie New Zealand base afc Alexandria. /

i ' at '? have behaved most gallantly, rates C'ojonel Esson, "and ieir fighting qualities are recognised and appreciated at their true worth bv tlio liisrli commanders. In minor matter", or discipline they are probably behind tho regular soldiers, but as fighting men they appear to ,be rather more -resmirceful and equally courageous and determined'. The doctors all say that they suffer less from shock' when hit, and with few exceptions-their first desire is to get back to the firms' line as soon as possible. The feeling between officers and men is excellent, and 011 many occasions I have heard wound--6 nien speaking of their officers with conndence, pride, and affection. ' .-The value of discipline is clearly recognised by a majority of the men, and what appeared irksome, during the prolonged and trying stay in Egypt is now understood and appreciated. The food supply is good, and during the weeks I was on the Peninsula, I never heard one single complaint as to either quantity or quality, although I freely mingled with the men, and lost 110 opportunity of inquiring and seeing that they were well cared for. Wastage of Material. "Tho wastage of equipment during war is positively appalling, and largo parties are constantly employed in the rear, of the trenches conveying discarded material to the depots wo have established, where it is constantly in demand. "We were all deeply touched at the fortitude displayed- by the people of New Zealand on learning of our casualties. There are few homes into which sorrow has not come, and at the conclusion of the war New Zealand will have a vory. heavy responsibility to face in providing for the dependents of those killed in action,' also a, large number of crippled and maimed men who will be seriously handicapped in life's battle by the loss of eyes and limbs, and by impaired health.- Every iking possible is being done for them here, and generally we have much reason to bo grateful to the _ medical services and to a host of willing workers, whose services, are so freely given. ; Postal Arrangements, .■■'.'-The postal staff has been doubled and increased facilities afforded. Great difficulty existed in-.the way of locating wounded men. The rush was so great,' and men were so widely dispersed, that it took some little time to find out where; they were, but', to ineet postal requirements I instituted a card system which is working very well. Each'hospital is visited, and two or three postcard farms are loft with each .man or filled in for 'him, so that thq Post Office, is at once notified (if any change of address.- (The forms sot forth a man's name, Tani, and unit, the hospital, and the ward of the 'hospital, in which lie lies.) It is, a big; task fishing out letters for ' wounded ill England, Malta, Lemnos, aiid different parts of Egypt, in addition to letters for the base details; but mail matter is being promptly sorted and distributed. Some complaints are made of delay in the transmission of parcels, which I understand first: to go'to'i.England;. by a cargo steamer, and then find their way back, here.' This, perhaps, .can be remedied in New Zealand.- In selecting men for the Army Postal. Service ;a fair sprinkling of senior men with experience of handling large mails should be included. We have rather too many juniors, mainly drawn from country, offices.. What the Country is Like. "It. may interest you to know, that the.'.coimtry held by the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps is liot unlike the ridge running between Khandallah. and : the Ohariti . Valley-Kau-Kan.". Tho scrub is "mostly, dwarf holly, vr'hododen<l rons, Mediterranean heath, and >v small species of pine, which varies from three to eight feet in height, affording excellent cover, for snipers. ■ ' "Although there are sinall springs, the water question is rather' a difficult' one, and supplies are landed from the skips.,in barges. specially built , for the purpose. Always Under Fire. "From Ihe time we landed until I came , away we were being vigorously shelled,' and tho'casualties in the rear of the trenches and amongst army corps and botli Divisional Headquarters wero heavy. •.. "The surgeons here, find the X-Ray apparatus a wonderful help. The posi- 1 tion of bullets can be located to a nicety, and they are extracted without the murderous probing that was found necessary in previous wars."