EAST AFRICAN CAMPAIGN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1673, 10 February 1917, Page 1

EAST AFRICAN CAMPAIGN.

“WILL TAKE SIX MONTHS YET.”

Mr J. Tucker, of Ashburton, has received a letter from bis eldest son, Captain Fred. Tucker, who went through the Boer War, and who almost from the commencement of the present East* African trouble has been with General Smut’s army. He gives some interesting details of the present operations, of which the following are extracts: —

We are now south of the central line, and have had a two days’ scrap, and have now joined forces with General Northey’s southern army) This is a land of hills and rivers, and impossible for wheel transport, so we move with native carriers and mountain batteries. Each native carries a 501 b. load on his back, and the mules carry the guns. It’s all very line and wonderful, and I think this show will take six months yet. 1 am enjoying very line health, but am a bit foot sore. Often rations are scarce, but we do well for men lie meal and sweet potatoes off the blacks. Most of us are getting very smart with the Swakely language, although it is entirely different from the South African native language.

AVe have not had a mail for a long time, but expect one shortly, when I liope to get a great budget, also copies of (he Christchurch AVeekly Press. These papers are read right throughout our camp, and great admiration is expressed at such a tine paper coming from a small place like New Zealand. Our regiment has done a good deal more fighting and marching than most, the consequence being that companies once 250 strong are now reduced to 40. I have not had a single day off yet, so have been very lucky, AVe do not get much European news here, only the barest cables. It looks like being a long job.