READY FOR WAR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24414, 27 September 1940, Page 4

READY FOR WAR

THE FIFTH BRIGADE KEEN AND EFFICIENT UNITS TRAINING IN ENGLAND (From a Special Correspondent) ALDERSHOT, Aug. 6. •' Let 'em come " is the prayer of the Fifth New Zealand Brigade as we go about our lawful occasions. For after six months' solid training in New Zealand and in the Old Country the battalions commanded by Brigadier J. Hargest, D. 5.0... are fit efficient, and ready to fight anyone. There are many good reasons why the German will not invade Britain. One good reason why he should is to give our fellows the chance they so ardently desire, to defend this grand little country, here on its own soil, which we have already learned to love next only to our own. " Let 'em come." For some time now the .Fifth Brigade, together with mo s t units of the second echelon, have been "at war"—in exercises, if not in fact We have toured large areas of South England, and. it is safe to say. lost ourselves on more than one occasion. When every small country lane is surfaced with bitumen on a scale comparable to Mr Semple's best, when every squre mile of country is wooded, hedged, and covered with Nature's most beautiful productions, it is impossible to keep direction, even with a map. Besides, the numerous signposts, on which evcrv motorist in these isles depends, are gone and the way is no longer clear. Enthusiastic Welcome Nor do the local inhabitants help much. Passing through Winchester we inquired for the cathedral. Five townspeople sent us on five different wildgoose chases before we realised they were not prepared to guide us. I feel sure that Nazi parachutists, if not " parashot" beforehand, will find themselves going around in leafy circles un-til someone collects them, preferably with a charge of buckshot. Wherever our big buses or our feel take us, and either are used quite indiscrimnately. the local folk give, us an enthusiastic and almost embarrassing welcome. In most areas we have been preceded by the Canadians That helps tremendously. The Cannuck is a first-rate fighter of splendid physique, but he does stir the place up a bit. Not that our fellows are all saints, except of necessity Far from it. On our first trip I saw with my own eyes two fowls which had challenged an engineer in the dark and were promptly "despatched. In spite of an hour's search next morning, the owners could not be located, so we reluctantly and rather guiltily had " Chicken a la Maryland " that night. Needless to say, the engineer concerned did not come back to claim his bag. Story of a Pig Then there was the pig. Hanging on a holly bush some inquiring soldier found its head and skin, obviously separated by an expert from the more edible'portions, which, naturally, were missing. Of course, the Maori Battalion were responsible—or so said everyone actually bivouacked in the area. There were circumstantial stories of dark fellow countrymen treading the heath with suspicious bundles, and so on. I doubt whether the Maoris were anywhere near the scene of the slaughter, and doubt still more their culpability. They have set a magnificent example of discipline and dignity everywhere. Anyway, the pig could not be put on to the Canadians, so we paid for it and swore to get the culprit. i. There was another story of a lamb that strayed on the downs and was butchered to make a Taranaki savoury. That was our first battle, when the lads were fired with the old Diggers' stories of how they " lived on the countryside" in France. It cannot be done in England, and everyone quickly realised the fact. I doubt whether a single feather or hair has been touched since. Our good name is worth too much to wreck it with unnecessary scrounging. Men in Good Health About the first week in July is St. Swithin's Day. The old gentleman has been long since forgotten, except for one vital matter. Local tradition lays down that rain for St. Swithin means 40 successive wet days. Unfortunately, we have proved to our discomfort that tradition is sometimes upheld. The 40 days included our first " battle," when we burrowed in the bracken for three chilly days and nights while St. Swithin kept us miserable with intermittent showers. It was the Fifth Brigade's first experience of roughing it under nearly active service conditions. Within three days the men were seasoned campaigners, capable of finding and making shelter anywhere and of fending for themselves. What is also worth recording is that the sick parade dwindled to nothing as soon as we got out in the open. Except for German measles, which is the only Deutchland product yet sent our way, the health of the troops has been excellent, particularly on manoeuvres. That is our progress to date. Fit and ready for anything. Brigadier Hargest has every reason to be proud of his team of solid New Zealanders. All he asks is the opportunity to lead them in their first fight. All the Fifth want is the opportunity to live up to their motto. " Boots and all."