IN DEFENCE ZONE

Taranaki Daily News, 20 September 1940, Page 7

IN DEFENCE ZONE

new zealand troops Official Correspondent with N.Z.E.F. London, Sept. 17. To the extent that England is now the Jieatre of war, the New Zealanders are in the field. The forfce has been allotted a new, 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 lnvasion continues. or until the bad weather season sets in and a rearrangement of dispositions is made. Officers and non^commissioned offieers have been busy since the arrival reconnoitring the ground over which they may be called upon to fight and early practice of an advance by the full force is probable. All ranks are highly pleased with the prospect of being well forward ghould the enemy come to England. 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. Men of two units, luckier than their fellows. have been the first on the scene of forccd landings and taken the enemy airmen prisoners. Thlrty-eight non-coms., selected to train for first commissions, have assembled for preliminary instruction. They are bsing drafted to Brltlsh army offlcer-cadet tralnlng units as vacancies occur. Already the first ten have entered Sandhurst, where they have been attached to a Brigade of the Guards company.