DESERT WARFARE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 September 1941, Page 6

DESERT WARFARE

——— LARGE=SCALE MANOEUVRES VALUABLE LESSONS. CO-ORDINATION OF MOVEMENT. (N.Z.E.F. Official News Service). CAIRO, September 6. Desert warfare conditions were experienced by a. New Zealand infantry brigade which has just completed a course of large-scale manoeuvres in which infantry, artillery, cavalry and machine-gunners took part. Carried out in an area which offered wide scope for tactical exercises, the manoeuvres held valuable lessons in coordination of movement of units, as well as giving practical experience to the officers and men engaged. The brigade commander expressed himself as well pleased with the exercises which, he felt, had done much to weld closer the various units of the brigade and had given new officers an opportunity of working together. The most spectacular operation was a dawn attack on the first day against a supposed enemy holding positions on a ridge. Tanks, Eren carriers and troops moved into position before daylight. Shortly before zero hour, just as dawn was breaking, artillery opened up with live ammunition on enemy positions. The use of a real barrage gave an air of reality to the scene. In the half light troops lay in hollows and behind ridges, waiting the order to move, and listening to the swish of shells overhead in the stillness of a desert, dawn. Tanks and Eren carriers were the first to move forward, operating behind a smoke screen. Just as the sun rose the infantry attack was launched. Long lines of men could be seen advancing through the haze of dust and smoke. As the forward elements reached the enemy ridge the artillery ceased using live shell and thereafter carried on with observed fire. The ridge was captured and during the morning positions were consolidated while patrol work was carried out further into enemy territory. Men were occupied in digging gun positions and as the morning wore on conditions in the hot sun became very trying. Hostilities ceased at noon. The operation gave an opportunity for every element of the brigade to gain practical experience. Medical services had imaginary casualties to collect and attend. Signal personnel were hard at work laying cables and estabishing wireless communication with forward battalions. At Brigade Headquarters, which were established forward early, messages were flowing in and orders going out in a constant stream all morning. Transport was on the move constantly through the dusty, stony desert, while despatch riders continually performed wonders in . controlling their machines through soft sand.

The remainder of the course was occupied with night moves and infantry attacks, but no further live artillery fire was used. The main object was to give practical experience in smooth and swift movement of troops. The exact co-ordination on attack showed that a high degree of organisation had been reached. The soldiers were fed from field kitchens which, although continually on the move, always had a meal ready in the right place at the right time. Conditions were hard, but the men withstood them well and returned in high spirits. The brigade is fully mechanised, and transport was used whenever possible. Contray to popular ideas the surface of the desert is not smooth sand, and riding in trucks over the rough, rocky terrain causes many bumps and bruises. To the drivers the night travelling in convoy was reminiscent of long, sleepless journeys during the withdrawal from Greece.

In desert campaigning water cannot be spared for washing, and even a few spoonfuls for shaving is begrudged from a limited ration. The men returned to their camp dusty and sunburned and there followed a general rush for showers and a change of clothing. A soldier’s life in the desert, where he breathes sand, eats sand and sleeps in sand, has little to recommend it, but these New Zealanders are becoming very much acclimatised to the conditions and are ready to face them with a cheerfulness which seems to increase as the task becomes tougher.