DESERT RAILWAY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 July 1942, Page 4

DESERT RAILWAY

PUT OUT OF ACTION BY NEW ZEALANDERS WHO BUILT IT. ALL ROLLING STOCK BROUGHT BACK. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day. 1.15 p.m.) LONDON, July 8. The Allied desert railway, which had reached Bir El Hamid, has been rendered completely unuseable by the New Zealanders who built and operated the line. When the Allies were forced to fall back into Egypt, the New Zealanders, despite continuous air attacks, operated the line until the last possible moment. When evacuation became inevitable, the forward operating company worked feverishly, moving back all supplies. All engines and rolling stock were brought back safely. A R.A.F. officer, commending the New Zealanders’ gallantry, said there was never a word of complaint. It was a terrific strain, driving in darkness over the new track, always waiting for bombers. One driver took his engine through eight machine-gun attacks before he was wounded. Another driver and fireman died in their cab when it was raked by machine-gun fire. Others were scalded when cannon shells pierced the boilers. FISH OIL IN WELLS PROBLEM FOR THE GERMANS. (Received This Day, 1.15 p.m.) LONDON, July 8. During the British retreat in North Africa, fish oil was poured into the wells at all the oases, making the water so unpalatable that it cannot be drunk without nausea. The Germans doubtless have now cleaned out the wells, but the water for months will retain a lingering fish taste.