NEW ZEALANDERS PREPARED

Southland Times, Issue 24236, 20 September 1940, Page 6

NEW ZEALANDERS PREPARED

RESPONSIBLE POSITION ALLOTTED

ENEMY AIRMEN TAKEN PRISONERS

(Official War Correspondent) LONDON, September 17.

To the extent that England is now a theatre of war, the New Zealanders are in the field and the force has been allotted a new, more responsible and much more active part In the defence system of the United Kingdom. The troops were 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 on reconnoitring the ground over which they may be called upon to fight. 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. Fierce aerial combat overhead is a daily occurrence, and 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. Men of two units luckier than their fellows have been the first on the scene of forced landings and have taken enemy airmen prisoners. COMPETITION KEEN Competition in this branch of warfare is especially keen, as one British pilot who landed in a parachute can testify. As he neared the ground but was still high enough for his uniform to be unidentifiable soldiers fixed bayonets and came charging towards him from all directions. They were New Zealanders acting upon the safe presumption that everyone coming down is enemy until proved a friend. When they found that he was “one of our’s” they gave the officer an embarrassingly admiring welcome to earth. Souvenir collecting is brisk. The first parcels can be expected in New Zealand shortly, containing, possibly, little pieces of parachute silk dyed with real German blood. Thirty-eight non-commissioned officers, who have been selected to train for first commissions, have assembled for preliminary instruction. They are being drafted to British Army officer cadet training units as vacancies occur. Already the first 10 have entered Sandhurst, where they have been attached to a Brigade of Guards company.