LETTERS FROM SOLDIERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 May 1917, Page 3

LETTERS FROM SOLDIERS.

IN SINAt AND PALESTINE.

Trooper ''Tap" O'Neil writes from Sinai Peninsula, February 22, to Mr. Thomas Buchanan as under:—' '•Once again the pleasure is mine to drop you a few lines, letting you know bow things are out here, i am taking this opportunity of writing now, as Ave move outao-mnrroni into the front line again, after having a very enjoyable rest and spell here in this camp by the sea, near El Arish. I guess- we will get plenty of night work in the near future, and incidentally renew our acquaintance with Jacko, who, I'm sure, will give us a very hot reception after our last couple of visits to him. So I guess the New Zealand papers may have more to tell concerning the doings of us 'Silent Mounted*.'. "While here wo had some ding-dong games of football, . the Wellington Mounted Rifles coming" out with most points in regimental matches, and Taranaki 2nd squadron still unbeaten in squadron matches among the W.M.R. teams. Cliff Tate .plays as good a game as ever. Naturally, the pace is slow, owjng to playing in two or throe inches of sand on the sea shore.

"To-day, as we were exercising our horses, I could not help wondering at the progress- regarding locomotion as I looked on the following scene: Along the beacli a lino of stately camels humped their loads as. in tho days of Noah's ark. Near-by, horses parading as in the days of ancient warriors, who passed down this way B.C. Just then a train went steaming 'by, loaded up with rations and foodstuffs, and overhead an aeroplane, not 109 feet up, was gliding gracefully along—this the latest method of locomotion. We number our planes here by scores. During this last month our boys (airmen) and anti-aircraft guns have, brought down at least three Taubes —known to us as 'Our Daily Hate,' and sometimes ai 'Midnight Hate' as well. One thing that is common to us all Is that when one hears a. bomb whistling down through the air it makes an uncanny feeling crepe down your spine. So far I have not met the soldier who cares to hear the whistle of the bombs. Shells screaming overhead one can. stand all day.

"Just- now Cliff has his head well into the Auckland Weekly, and is giving us news of the Auckland Cup and success of New Plymouth horses there, also the New Plymouth races. I hope you participated in the divs. that came to Taranaki.

"This last week we have had showery weather and cold at nights and early mornings, although the middle of the day is hot enough.

"Our major, whom Cliff tells me you know —Major James Armstrong, of Dannovirkc—leit us yesterday, being hound for Now Zealand, who, I guess, on his return to health, may go on the instructing, general staff for mounteds in New Zealand training camps. He will lie In Now Zealand as soon as this letter, 'Tie was major of our squadron, and came over with lis, being a very popular officer with all the beys, who regret losing such a capable man I hope he is soon O.K. again. Should you ever rim across him at any of the Wellington race meetings he will be able to give you direct news of the bovs vou know in the W.M.R.

''Ted. Avery has just •wakened up. He asks you to have a Johnny Woodser for him. Ted is just the same old stick ~-as good as gold, "Since coming to Egypt I have been lucky enough to enjoy good health. Hope T may continue so. Us boys out here are highly amused at the excuses put forward by those appealing, at the Appeal Eoards. The Boards appear to be composed, of men of the right principle. I am afraid I cannot give you much news this time, as things hero arc just the same old monotonous thing with ua, day by day. The flies are coming back in all their glory to worry h— out of us. Ifowever, I still have my mosquito net from last summer, and, believe me* it is worth its weight in gold to us dese't coons."

LANCE-CORPORAL CLIFF TATE'S NOTES. Writing under date of February 20, Lance-Corporal Cliff Tate sent to Mr. Buchanan a couple of badges, one of the Ayrshire 'battery and a German one. The latter was given to the writer by Farrier-Sergeant Meuli, who at one time was employed at Jenkinson's blacksmith shop in Waitara. The badge was taken from a German prisoner at R . The writer says that Meuli has been doing good work :is an interpreter after the "scraps." Another souvenir sent was a diary of the daily doings from the time the Sth Reinforcements left New Zealand until the end of the year, and is interesting. In a later letter, date March 2, Cliff says that they had left the happy little camp to take their places in the front line. On February 22 the "brigade made a reeonnaisanee in force against a strong position held by the Turks. For obvious reasons that particular brigade had quite their share of the unpleasant work attendant on such moves. To go through miles of sand dunes at night, never knowing when an enemy outpost may ho met, is strenuous. However, they were fortunate enough to draw close at daylight, and on showing over a ridge drew the enemy's fire. Had the Jackos waited patiently they might easily have ambushed the brigade, but from the fact of their opening Tiro at 300 yards showed a Weakness. The Turks where pushed back for a inile[. but the men were not allowed to mako a general engagement. That was to come later. The new camp is again on the beach, and all the boys hope that the march will continue this way, as they enjoy the sea, with its attendant bathing and football. On February 23 the writer, ■with others, was sent back to the old "ditch" (Canal) for a draft of transport horses. The general wdrk is much in keeping with that which has already heen given at various times in these columns. Major Armstrong and Captain Rait (one time of Waitara) left for ECew Zealand recently. The writer adds: From impressions gained per newspaper reports, the old town (Waitara) has assumed times of prosperity. The Council taking over the electric light seems a good move, then the wool-classing> Farmers' Co-op. starting, the new theatre, and other improvements, the town is evidently moving some. What is now wanted is a Cosmopolitan Club, so that our country friends may have a meeting place in the town. Early hours are the order of the day, usually up at 3 a.m. and on the march. When I return I intend to take on milking, as it is now no trouble to rise early.