DOMINION TROOPS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 May 1940, Page 5

DOMINION TROOPS

TWO MONTHS IN EGYPT

ADVANCED TRAINING CONTINUES. “READY FOR ANYTHING.” ' (N.Z.E.F. Official News Service.) April 13. The end of the first two months in Egypt sees the First Contingent of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force well established in its camp on the desert. Although these months have been busy ones, they have been marked by no apparent changes in the circumstances which surround the presence of the force in Egypt. While advanced training goes on, the New Zealanders feel that they must continue to play a patient, waiting game. This week’s news of the German invasion of Denmark and Norway has been followed with intense interest. Conjectures as to the possible effects it . may have on the war as a whole and ' on the future of the force in particular have naturally become the chief topic of conversation. In the meantime, the force continues its training towards the attainment of a level of efficiency which will make it “ready for anything.” So frequently that the sight is nothing unusual, a long column of infantrymen marches out of the camp for a day or two of exercises somewhere in the desert under service conditions; signal office lorries and wireless trucks slip quietly away in convoy to co-operate with other Empire troops in realistic manoeuvres. Activities like these are building an increasingly valuable background of experience. Parties from some of the specialist units have spent most of the two months away from the camp, living and training with English and Indian troops who are also stationed in Egypt. They have gained much practical knowledge as a result of this system of co-operation. In the camp, too, training activities are running smoothly, for the adjustment of the force to the new conditions was quickly accomplished. Members of the force will shortly go about their work in the comfortable hot-weather dress of shirts and shorts. This has already been adopted to some extent, and will become general when issues of the new articles of clothing are made to all men. Boots will be worn with socks, short puttees and hose tops. Serge uniforms have given place to khaki drill for wear in-the evenings and on leave. The New Zealand broad-brimmed hat, incidentally, will remain in vogue for summer wear. There was a move some time ago to have it replaced by a sun helmet, but opinions were evenly divided on the suggestion, and it was decided that the "pyramid'’ felt would be retained. Just what hot weather means in Egypt may be difficult for those at home to understand. The New Zealand soldiers have had a taste of it during the past few days—temperatures as high as 104 degrees inside the tents, and a breeze that feels like a hot blanket thrown in the face. Fortunately, the nights are still mild, and in addition the showers and swimming baths with which the camp is equipped are nroving invaluable in solving the problem of keeping cool. The baths crowded each evening, from beiore dinner until after dark. In spite of the heat, too. modern knowledge of hygiene and sanitation appears to be an effective bulwark against illness and disease on any serious scale, for the general health of the force has maintained its high standard. Difficulties which would have been experienced in keeping clothes clean in the heat and dust have been completely avoided by the laundry system, by which washing is now done twice weekly without charge to the soldier. Generous leave arrangements have been in force during the whole period, with the result that the New Zealanders feel completely at home when they visit Cairo. Barriers of language, however, are sources of amusement and sometimes inconvenient, and it is perhaps just as well that a good deal of English is spoken. Nevertheless many soldiers, especially those who have been away from the camp on instruction courses, have picked up a surprisingly abundant stock of Arabic words and expressions. Every man in force knows how to say “Imshce. to tell a street vendor to make himseli scarce, but it is something more to have enough words to hold a conversation. French is probably a more useful language to learn here, however, and regular classes are held in conjunction with the activities of a soldiers’ social tent established by English women near the camp. Although they have changed with the season, sports activities are still an important part of the camp life. At the present time swimming holds pride of place, but the organisation of cricket is well under way. After the success of the New Zealanders on the football field, their ventures in summer sports arc being awaited with great inteiest.