“AUSSIES” IN EGYPT

Evening Star, Issue 23693, 28 September 1940, Page 9

“AUSSIES” IN EGYPT

EAGER FOR ACTION Egypt has rapidly become used-to the sight of thousands of lean, hard-bitten Australian troops, who have arrived here with the thousands of. other British soldiers to strengthen the Egyptian garrison (wrote a correspondent of the ‘ Sydney Morning Herald from Cairo on September 10). The men’s behaviour and bearing have created a fine impression, and they have been welcomed with an enthusiasm which recalled pre-embarka-tion days in Australia. “ The men have been straining at the leash for months, especially since Italy declared war,” said a brigadier to-day. •' I am confident that they will give a good account of themselves when they vie called on to do so. Their morale is of the highest, they are as hard as hard training can make them, and they look forward to battle with the same light-hearted confidence and the same eagerness, thinly disguised by jest or curse, as I remember* in the lads I served with 20 odd years ago.” British officers to whom I have spoken are genuinely pleased to hav« the Australians here. A major of a famous Scottish regiment which distinguished itself during the Somaliland evacuation said to me last night: “I wish we had ha’d a couple of battalions of your boys there. They should be the very fellows for this kind of fighting, where initiative and bushcraft are at a premium. I am looking forward to seeing them m action against the Italians.” The Australians’ tents are. pitched m real desert country. The camp areas are just sand, without a blade of grass or a vestige of growth of any kind to relieve the eye. And when the wind blows driven sand almost obscures the tents. Once again with the granting of Cairo leave slouch hats are a familiar sight in the streets of the capital, and Egyptians are renewing acquaintance with Australian soldiers after the laps* of a quarter of a century. ; The behaviour of the majority of the men has been exemplary, and Egyptians of all closes have given the A.I.F. a Very friendly welcome.