SAPPERS AT WORK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 September 1941, Page 6

SAPPERS AT WORK

NEW ZEALANDERS’ FINE RECORD MEN READY FOR ANYTHING. A SILENT BUT SOLID CONTRIBUTION. (From Official War Correspondent with the N.Z.E.F.) CAIRO, August 30. Outstanding among those units who, month after month, make silent but solid contribution to the solidarity of the Allied position in the Middle East are the New Zealand Engineers. From the time the- first New Zealand engineer unit arrived in Egypt, through the Western Desert campaign and those of Greece and Crete, some of the best of the Dominion’s skilled tradesmen and engineers have been engaged on the most important works designed for the security of the whole Middle East. The nature of his work so frequently takes the engineer far away from j other units that engineer units are \ thrown more on their own resources ( and have to make their own comforts \ and their own recreatoin. Time after time has one field company alone had to strike camp and move to some other sphere, there to build some important defensive work. Another field company, which arrived in Egypt about five months ago, moved to an area in which there were other New Zealand troops for the first time this week. They are now about three miles from a Dominion Infantry Battalion.

The value of the work already performed by the New Zealand sappers is inestimable. They have been responsible for the construction of most important defensive works amounting to tens of thousands of pounds and have been entrusted with specialist work in connection with city defences. They have built many camps, installed their drainage systems, and made camps established in wildernesses reasonably inhabitable.

The speed and efficiency with which the New Zealand sappers have carried cut their work indicate that the Dominion may well be proud of its skilled workers. Without any ostentation they just go about their work with a determination to make a good job of it. A field company commander recently moved to a new camp, said he had left behind a party of 16 sappers under a corporal to finish an important task. “I do not have to bother them,” said the officer.’ “I know they will finish their work, making a good job of it, and they will then join us at this camp.”

What finer tribute could be paid to any soldiers, than this tribute from an officer who knows his men well. The engineer knows his job and works at it efficiently. He probably enlisted just to do that work for which he is well equipped. Because of this the engineer is not easily regimented, but he takes* pride in his work and has a team spir- k it that will stand competition from the F most keenly regimented unit. Proof of this was given in Greece where valiant stands were made by engineers remaining at important points to blow up bridges at given times. Members of other units returned from Greece speaking highest praise of the work of the Dominion's engineers during the campaign. A recent visit to a New Zealand field company found all hands industrious at building another jcamp. If practice makes perfect these men should now be experts at camp making. It is hoped, however, that this camp the company was engaged upon will serve the engineers when not engaged in remote areas. This time the site is a good one. Instead of being surrounded by sand the sappers can see a thick wood of pines and other trees on one side and water on the other—good swimming water. It was a refreshing sight to see these men building the camp. Showing every sign of hours of daily exposure to the sun and manifesting a state of considerable physical fitness after months of congenial work, some were engaged on establishing permanent buildings, others digging drains and laying pipes and making the living quarters as comfortable as possible. While this was going on others were continuing their training at bridging. All worked cheerfully, though some were a little sceptical as to how long it would be before they had to establish another camp. The only sappers who were really crying had every good reason to. They were peeling onions for the principal meal of the day. It has not been hard work all the time. The recreational side has not been forgotten and every opportunity has been taken of getting in some sport. One company which spent a few months in the one area played hockey with Indian and English troops with success and fared well in a boxing tournament where English, Union and Indian troops were competitors. In their new camp these engineers have erected goals for water polo and constructed a jetty to avoid wading through mud to get to deep water for swimming. ( The men are resourceful. Why chop wood when it can be sawn with the use of a motor? One of the first things they did at a new camp was to rig up a bench and connect a saw with a motor. They even run theii' own canteens, profits going back into their own messes to provide extras or for the purchase of sports gear.

New Zealand may well be proud of its sapper soldiers. They have done and are doing all the time, a fine job. It has been good experience for the ycunger members, many of whom had not completed their apprenticeship period on enlistment. All have gained good experience while performing most valuable services and New Zealand will be the richer for the wide experience so many of its skilled tradesmen have gained in the Middle East.