IN FRONT LINE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24408, 20 September 1940, Page 4

IN FRONT LINE

THE SECOND ECHELON A RESPONSIBLE POSITION READY TO RECEIVE INVADERS (From the Official War Correspondent with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in Biitain.) LONDON, Sept. 17. To the extent that England is now the theatre of war, the New Zealanders are in the field and the force has been allotted a new and more responsible and much more active part in the defence system of the United Kingdom. The troops moved by night and bivouacked in a new quarter of the country within quick striking distance of a possible invader. They will remain here as long as the threat of invasion continues. or until the bad weather season sets in and a rearrangement of dispositions is made. Officers and non-commissioned officers have been busy since their arrival reconnoitring the ground over which the troops may be called upon to fight, and an early practice advance by the full force is probable. All ranks are highly pleased with the prospect of being well forward should the enemy come to England. Capturing Enemy Airmen Fierce aerial combat overhead Is a daily occurrence. Every night quivers with the din of anti-aircraft guns and long-range artillery. All of us have seen enemy planes shot down and enemy crews “ baling ” out. The men of two units were luckier than their fellows, having been the first on the scene of forced landings and taken enemy airmen nrisoners. Competition in this branch of warfare is especially keen, as one British pilot who landed by parachute can testify. As he neared the ground, but still high enough for his uniform to be unidentifiable, soldiers with fixed bayonets came charging towards him from all directions. They were New Zealanders acting upon the safe presumption that everyone coming down is an enemy until proved a friend. When it was found that he was " one of ours ” they gave the officer an embarrassing and admiring welcome to earth. Training for Commissions Souvenir collecting is brisk. The first parcels can be expected in New Zealand shortly containing possibly small pieces of parachute silk dyed with real German blood. Thirty-eight non-commissioned officers selected to train for commissions have been assembled for preliminary instruction. They are being drafted to British Armv officer cadet training units as vacancies occur. Already the first 10 have entered Sandhurst, where they have been attached to a brigade of the Guards’ Company.