BEHIND SCENES

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21177, 29 July 1940, Page 8

BEHIND SCENES

TROOPS IN EGYPT AIR RAID EXPERIENCES SPECIAL ASSIGNMENTS EFFICIENCY ADMIRED • N.Z.E.F. Official .News Service. EGYPT, July 28 Although the only contact with the enemy has been through ! aerial bombing raids, in which ! they have generally been merely j eye-witnesses, the various sec- ) lions of the New Zealand Forces i have played important roles behind the scenes in the British land operations in the western desert. Details of these activities may not be revealed, but hundreds of members of the first contingent now proudly claim experience in the field. Some have actually been engaged on special assignments since the critical days before Italy entered the war. Admiration for the keenness and efficiency of the New Zealanders in all activities in the western desert has been expressed by English officers. The New Zealanders themselves have enjoyed this new phase of their military career. They have become versed in varying degrees in the hardships of the desert, but they have been living under the best possible conditions, often within easy reach of the sea. Many speak of air raids as commonplace, though usually distant spectacles. Memorable scenes of activity marked the exodus of sections from the Cairo training camp. The departure of long columns of lorries, cars, motor-cycles, often in the first light of day, has become a common sight as the parties began motorised treks covering hundreds of miles. CLUBS FOR SOLDIERS ENTERTAINMENT ON LEAVE POPULARITY AT WEEK-ENDS Although for a time there was no ■ club in Hamilton for the entertainment of soldiers on week-end leave, the troops are now being catered for to a greater extent than ever. The club opened recently by the League of Wives and Mothers of Ex-service-men and Men of H.M. Fighting Forces was conducted again this week-end. In addition, a second club was opened by the Women’s Patriotic Committee. Troops on leave have expressed appreciation of the efforts being made for their entertainment. With no club in Hamilton many soldiers who visited the town at week-ends were at a loss. The club in the bandroom of the Hamilton Citizens’ Band, organised by the League of Wives and Mothers of Exservicemen and Men of H.M. Fighting Forces, became popular immediately it was opened recently. There the troops were fed and provided with food, fruit, cigarettes and other comforts to take back to camp. This week-end saw the club even more popular, however, and about 150 men in khaki signed the visitors’ book on Saturday and Sunday. Many residents in Hamilton made donations of food to the club, while others took cigarettes and fruit for distribution among the soldiers. For these donations the club has expressed its gratitude. Second Club Opened The second of the clubs in Hamilton for the entertainment of the soldiers was opened this week-end in the Waikato Winter Show Hall by the Women’s Patriotic Committee. The opening session was conducted by a platoon of the recently-formed Women’s Auxiliary Volunteer Corps, who handled their first wartime work capably. Soldiers were appreciative of the efforts made for their comfort by the W.A.V.C., whose name is likely to become as familiar to troops visiting Hamilton as the famous auxiliary services of His Majesty’s Forces in Great Britain. About 200 soldiers passed in and out of this club on Saturday and Sunday, when refreshments were served ! and the men were entertained to dancing, billiards and other pastimes. The club has been very comfortably fitted. Entering into the spirit of the entertainment the troops enjoyed themselves immensely, and reciproated the efforts of the W.A.V.C. by assisting the young women to wash the dishes. THE ROYAL FAMILY INSPECTION OF VOLUNTEERS UPPER THAMES PATROL United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received July 29, 3.15 p.m.) LONDON, July 28 Their Majesties and the Princesses . Elizabeth and Margaret today in- j spected sections ol' the Upper Thames ] patrol of volunteers. This patrol is formed of private ! rivercraft, many of them being ! manned by the owners.

The British Ministry of Information has repeated its warning to the public to carry gas masks. It says they cannot assume that the Germans will not use gas because so far they have refrained from doing so.