FIELD UNIT

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21225, 23 September 1940, Page 2

FIELD UNIT

FIRST ECHELON MEN NEAR MEDITERRANEAN WITH MIDDLE EAST FORCES (K.Z.E.F. Official News Service.) CAIRO, Sept. 20 Somewhere in the sun-baked Western Desert the first echelon today itands ready for action as a complete and distinct fighting formation, which will play its part side by side with the recently-strengthened British land forces in the Middle East. Command life in modern military camps now seems a thing of the past. The headquarters field camp, whence this message is despatched, nestles in rolling desert country overlooking the eternally blue waters of the Mediterranean. Our only neighbours are comrades in arms from Britain and the Empire, with whom the New Zealanders fraternise nightly. The camp is typical of those found in the field and is so reduced to essentials that it could be completely packed and moved at brief notice. Tents and vehicles are widely scattered. The only building is a portable cookhouse erected in sections.

In sDite of the curtailment of permanent camp amenities, the troops have lost little in comfort. A smoothly running supply system ensures the delivery of ample fresh foodstuffs and water, and the cooks are doing a splendid job under more difficult conditions. Daily Swim Enjoyed A daily swim in the clear, warm sea is an unending delight and our bodies are becoming bronzed from head to foot. The temperate climate is free from the oppressive heat encountered inland and seems conducive to good health. Fifty cigarettes weekly are issued to all troops, who are also no longer required to pay surface letter postage. The echelon is now approaching the end of its first year in khaki and one week's leave continues to be granted in rotation to small numbers. Arrangements have been made for cheap city lodgings, while eight days may be spent in Palestine for only £3 10s. All ranks are hard and fit and in good spirits. Mails are arriving regularly.

ARMY FOOTBALLERS SECOND ECHELON STRENGTH (From ttu* Official War Correspondent attaclied to the New Zealand Forces • in Great Britain.; ALDERSHOT, August 26 footballers in the Aldershot Command and further afield are already inquiring the probable match strength of the New Zealanders. The small anti-tank unit, which trained here last winter, preparatory to joining the first echelon in Egypt, gave a good account of itself at Rugby. This year, with a much larger New Zealand force in the critics are looking for sometning correspondingly better. There are at least four All Blacks in the echelon, and one New Zealand League representative, as well as enough provincial players to run a competition of their own. There ought to be the makings of a fairly strong side. As yet the ground is far too hard for practice, but as soon as the autumn rains come we may expect to see first-of-the-season games. FIRST GENERAL HOSPITAL NO RUSH OF PATIENTS (From Official War Correspondent attached to the Now Zealand Forces In Oreat Britain.) ALDERSHOT, August 26 A number of patients have been admitted to the First New Zealand General Hospital in England. Convalescents are transferred to the newly-established convalescent depot, which occupies a fine Elizabethan manor house. Ten or a dozen British soldiers have been through the hospital, which is as much a favourite with them as the New Zealand hospitals were with their fathers in the last war.

As there has been no rush of patients, two of the nine wards of the hospital are used still as storerooms, pending the completion of stores huts. Advantage also continues to be taken of the opportunity to send medical officers away for special instructional and refresher courses.