AFTER 21 YEARS
A.I.F. IN CAIRO AGAIN. GENEROUS LEAVE WELCOMED. The Australian soldier has again become a familiar figure in Cairo, after a lapse of 21 years: The Australians' first leave in the city is described by lan Fitchett, acting official correspondent with the A.I.F. as “very heaven." A despatch from Fitchett, released in New Zealand by the Australian Trade Commissioner (Mr C. E. Critchley), says that from the military point of view Cairo is much better policed than when the Australians first went there late in 1914. A widely distributed military map of the city prints areas-in-bounds to troops, white against the red background of the out-of-bounds, portions.
“The risk of being caught out of bounds is not worth while to any solI dier. High over the city towers the Citadel and within its walls the military prison of the same name still flourished. Today, as during the last war, it is known to all soldiers as one of the most severe detention barracks in the British Empire. It is a foolish and reckless soldier who takes a chance of twenty-eight days within those grim walls. “But the in-bounds area of the city offers everything that the young soldier of today requires. Open air cafes, bars, picture theatres, restaurants, dance halls and cabarets abound, and are thronged with soldiers from all parts of the Empire every night. “A few nights ago I was in a party that comprised a Canadian, Rhodesians, a South African. New Zealanders and Australians. Between them, all three branches of the Services were represented, Navy, Army and Air Force. “Greater provision has been made in this war to cater for the man in the ranks on leave in Cairo. Scattered through the city are several splend-idly-run clubs where the men can obtain food and drink at prices much cheaper than those charged in public bars. “In the weekends, organised inexpensive tours to the Pyramids and the nearer tourist places of interest are conducted direct from the camp. On Saturday and Sunday, quiet bodies of Australians are to be seen in the beautiful Zoological Gardens as their fathers were 25 years ago. "The old attendants greet them warmly and proudly rush them to the compounds housing the kangaroos, wallabies and emus. It is a common thing for the old stagers at the Zoo to anxiously enquire after some soldier of a quarter of a century ago as if Australia were a place no bigger than their own few beautiful acres."
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Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 October 1940, Page 8
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414AFTER 21 YEARS Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 October 1940, Page 8
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