IN THE FRONT LINE

Evening Star, Issue 23690, 25 September 1940, Page 8

IN THE FRONT LINE

MEW ZEALAND TROOPS AWAIT INVASION New Zealand troops in tho Second Echelon have been in the “ front line ’’ in England, waiting for Germany to launch the expected invasion, and a letter, dated July 25, received from a Dunedin man gives some idea of the discomforts experienced. When he wrote he had just returned to base camp “ after five very strenuous days and nights. Officers and men, all dressed alike, lived under active conditions. Our brigade took up frontline positions in readiness for anything Germany might have in store for us. Nothing lias happened so far. Wo go out again on Sunday for another five days, so this is a brief fest for a cleanup. etc. “ We are very far removed from normal living now. After sleeping with just a ground sheet, greatcoat, and one blanket under hedges, in ditches, or, on one night, on top of a hill without shelter of any kind in almost continual rain, grabbing a meal when and where we could, very simple things like a hbfc shower or a night under canvas bring no end of pleasure. None of us had our boots off all the time, so our arrival back at this comparatively comfortable camp was most welcome. We travelled a long way in motor coaches and on foot; we went through three counties in this part of England, and the scenery is marvellous. This is a grand country to fight for.” The correspondent adds the eagerness with which mails are awaited. When he wrote the first mail from New Zealand had only just come to hand, and there was great excitement in the camp. Letters were read time and time again, while newspapers were rushed and went the rounds of the camp.