Excerpt from official history of New Zealand in the second World War

Early in April A and B Companies, which had been guarding the frontier, were relieved by C and D and returned to the vicinity of Afrine; but a few days later 6 Brigade was ordered to move south and take up positions in the Djedeide Fortress. This consisted of a chain of defensive works covering the northern entrance to the Bekaa valley, between the Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon ranges. On the way south the motor transport columns halted before Hama, where the troops debussed, formed up behind a band, and carried out a 'flag march' through the main street. The same performance was repeated later at Homs, and though on both occasions the page 42 townspeople seemed unimpressed, it was noticed that they became better disposed towards the British thereafter.