WINTER PLANS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 November 1940, Page 4

WINTER PLANS

NEW ZEALAND TROOPS IN BRITAIN GOOD QUARTERS PROVIDED. TRAINING & ENTERTAINMENT. (From the Official Correspondent with the New Zealand Forces in Britain). ENGLAND, November 6. After two months in the field as part of Britain’s- forward defence force, the New Zealanders have been withdrawn inland for rest and refitting. All are living either in requisitioned empty houses or in specially built Nissen huts. A great majority of the men are in houses, many of which are first-class homes.

A few days are being allowed for settling in and making the premises comfortable, after which attention will be given to clothing and equipment. On the completion of leave, every man s battle dress will Be professionally leaned without charge to him. The granting of seven days’ leave to ten per cent of the strength weekly was interrupted by the move to the coast at the beginning ’of September. Within the next few weeks and before winter begins in earnest, all men who have not had this leave will get it. The winter training programme necessarily is more restricted than that followed during the summer. Nevertheless there will be plenty to keep the men’s minds occupied and their bodies fit—for a start they will return to the parade ground, brush up their drill and' generally smarten appeaiances, which were of secondary importance in the invasion belt. Afterwards weapon Training, route marches and organised games will be the mainstays of the working day. In the evening every unit will have the use of a well-heated and lighted room for reading, writing and indoor recreation Regular entertainment will be organised. Men wishing for something a little more serious are offered facilities for free attendance at technical, commercial, language and art classes at civilian technical colleges and evening institutes.