NEW ZEALAND TROOPS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21222, 19 September 1940, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND TROOPS

PREPARED FOR INVASION DEFENCE OF BRITAIN (From the omclal War Correspondent wltb the .New Zealand Forces In Great Britain.) LONDON, Sept. 17 To the extent that England is now a theatre of war New Zealanders are in the field and close force was allotted a new, more responsible and much more active part in the defence system of the United Kingdom. The troops moved by night and bivouacked in a new quarter of the country within quick striking distance of a possible invader. They will remain here as long as the threat of invasion continues or until the bad weather season sets in and a rearrangement of dispositions is made. Officers and non-commissioned officers have been busy since their arrival reconnoitring the ground over which they may be called upon to fight and an early practice advance by the full force is probable. All ranks are highly pleased with the prospect of being well forward should the enemy come to England. A fierce aerial combat overhead is a daily occurrence. Every night quivers with the din of anti-aircraft guns and long-range artillery. All of us have seen enemy planes shot down and enemy crews baling out. Taken Nazis Prisoner The men of two units, luckier than their fellows, have been first on the scene of forced landings and taken enemy airmen prisoners. Competition in this branch of warfare is especially keen, as one British pilot who landed by parachute can testify. As he neared the ground, but still high enough for his uniform to be unidentifiable, soldiers with fixed bayonets came charging toward him in all directions. They were New Zealanders, acting upon the safe presumption that everyone coming down is an enemy until proved to be a friend. When they found that he was “one of ours” they gave the officer an embarrassingly admiring welcome to earth. Souvenir collecting is brisk. The first parcels can be expected in New Zealand shortly, containing possibly little pieces of parachute and silk dyed with real German blood. Training For Officers Thirty - eight non - commissioned officers selected to train for their first commissions have assembled for preliminary instruction. They are being drafted to the British Army officer cadet training units as vacancies occur. Already the first ten have entered Sadhurst, where they have been attached to a brigade of the Guards company.