SECOND ECHELON

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21188, 10 August 1940, Page 8

SECOND ECHELON

MEN’S FEET AFTER MARCH SOME LAXITY REVEAL ED TRIP TO WINDSOR CASTLE (From the Official War Correspondent attached to the .New Zealand Forces in Britain) LONDON, Aug. 9 After three field exercises in three weeks, men of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force spend the next week in camp concentrating on unit drill in preparation for another fullscale field manoeuvre in the week following. The route march of the infantry, Major-General Freyberg’s references to which in opening the New Zealand Forces Club drew good humoured laughter from the participants, disclosed some laxity in the care of feet, but, taken generally, instances of feet giving out were relatively few and not serious. Avoidable crocking on the march is regarded primarily as a reflection on a man’s platoon commander, who is responsible for instruction in the care of feet. Typical of the quick recoveries that have been made is that of an 18-year-old private who returned to camp with 24 blisters in various stages. He was heard this morning lamenting that there was not a further twenty miles today as he wished to chalk up 100 miles for the week. As a matter of fact, although the distance actually marched was 83 miles, many men probably completed the hundred by the addition of evenstrolls for exploratory and other purposes. Four hundred travelled by bus this afternoon to Windsor Castle under the auspices of the Y.M.C.A., which is organising a series of such trips to scenic and historic places. Sixty to seventy were guests in the afternoon and evening of private hostesses resident in the district surrounding the camps. In Beautiful Districts The third field exercise of the New Zealand infantry consisted in the main of a route march of 80 miles spread over six perfect summer days and taking the men into one of the most beautiful districts in southern England. They returned to camp to-night, some a trifle footweary and all sunburned, happy and more fit than ever. A fortunate 15 per cent of the men are receiving leave tomorrow and are going to London early to attend the opening of the New Zealand Forces Club before the weekly dance in Porchester Hall, Paddington.