Part 1 of 4
Commentary by Doug Laurenson [Military Service no. 34957] of the New Zealand Broadcasting Unit describing the Allied advance in Egypt from Mersa Matruh to Bardia, and the involvement of the New Zealand Reserve Motor Transport company. Several members of this unit have already recorded talks for New Zealand radio listeners on their part in the action.
At the beginning of December 1940, Mersa Matruh west of Alexandra, was the most advanced stronghold of the Allied forces and it was the first line of defence guarding Alexandria, Cairo, the Nile Valley and the fertile areas of Egypt 200 miles to the rear.
When our NZRMT received orders to take Indian and British troops into action, their advance led them to Sidi Barrani, travelling across 70 miles of desert from Mersa Matruh. There are no roads, tracks, trees or houses and each rolling mound looks the same as the previous one. The mechanised advance could only proceed with the most exact navigation.
This item is part of a collection of recordings made by the Mobile Broadcasting Units, which travelled overseas with New Zealand forces between 1940-1945. They recorded New Zealanders' experiences of war and messages to their families and friends, which were sent back home to be played on a weekly radio programme.