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Problems of 2 NZEF

Appendix VI

page 293

Appendix VI

3/54/509
HQ 2 NZEF
27 Sep 40

Third Contingent

2 NZEF

JOINING INSTRUCTIONS

1. On arrival in Maadi Camp you will be greeted with a large volume of instructions entitled ‘Special Circulars’ which are in fact Standing Orders for Troops while under training. For convenience these Special Circulars each deal with one particular subject or branch of work. A list is attached as Appendix A.

2. These circulars embody

(a)

All appropriate and relevant orders issued by HQ British Troops in Egypt, and

(b)

All Divisional or NZEF Orders, and memoranda having the force of orders, that are still in force at the time of your arrival. They are all therefore very much alive and are not just masses of interesting or uninteresting words. The majority are the result of the experience of the First Contingent.

3. At the first possible moment after arrival in Maadi the following circulars will be read through aloud at a series of conferences to be attended by all officers. This has been found to be the only way in which incoming units can quickly get a grip of the mass of orders that has to be absorbed.

T Medical and Health (to be read first)
D Pay
J EFI (late NAAFI)
K Civil Relations
L Discipline
R Leave
S Dress
U Economy
X Military Security
CC Matters affecting officers
DD Camp Routine
EE Miscellaneous

The other circulars are more of interest to administrative staffs, or can be left until a later date.

4. In the meantime, however, there are certain points of first importance which should be noted now, and passed on to all concerned. These are contained in the succeeding paragraphs.

page 294
(i)

A complete black-out is in force in Maadi Camp. It is realised that for the first evening or two it will be difficult to enforce this, as troops will be settling in; but after a few evenings it will be enforced rigidly.

(ii)

The utmost care must be taken to avoid loose talk, conversations with strangers, disclosure of military information in public, etc. ‘Fifth Columnists’ exist here in large numbers, and no-one should be accepted at his face value.

(iii)

The utmost care must be taken to avoid giving offence to Egyptian nationals. Egypt is an independent state and our ally, and the fact that we enjoy certain immunities does not entitle us to disregard either the laws of the land or the rules of decent behaviour.

(iv)

A map showing bounds in Cairo is being issued immediately on arrival.

(v)

Officers must carry pistols at all times when out of camp. Steel helmets or gas masks need not be carried.

(vi)

Leave to proceed out of Camp to Cairo may be granted to 50% of strength from (incl) Monday to (incl) Thursday, but leave is until lights out only.

On Fridays and Saturdays late leave may be granted to 80% of strength until the arrival of the last train, which leaves at 0130 hrs.

On Sundays leave may be granted to 80% of strength, but to lights out only.

(vii)

Arrangements are being made to organise tours to places of interest. An Entertainments Officer has been appointed, and will be communicating direct with units later.

(viii)

There is a bus and taxi-bus service between the bus stand and Maadi station, the charge being 1 Pt each way. In addition there are ordinary taxis for hire. (See Special Circular DD.)

(ix)

Reveille in camp at present is at 0630 hrs and lights out at 2315 hrs. These times must be adhered to; but otherwise routine is at COs' discretion.

(x)

The speed limit in Maadi Camp is 25 mph.

(xi)

Precautions regarding food and flies are of primary importance. Circular T must therefore be read immediately on arrival.

(xii)

Arrangements are being made for all men to be addressed regarding the dangers of venereal disease. Prophylactic outfits are being supplied to all units. Arrangements will be made within units to issue these to men on request.

(xiii)

Personnel evacuated to hospital will take arms and equipment, and will in due course be returned to units through 2 NZEF Base.

(xiv)

The headquarters in MAADI Camp is ‘HQ 2 NZEFnot ‘HQ NZ Div’. Correspondence addressed in the latter fashion will go off to the Western Desert.

(xv)

Units will indent on the Base Ordnance Officer for the following items immediately on arrival:

Helmets steel 1
Respirators AG 1
Arm bands (white) 1
Shorts KD 2
Shirts tropical 2
Drawers cellular short 2
Hosetops (prs) 1
page 295

Indents will be submitted in triplicate on AFG 997 or 994.

Each section will be submitted on a different sheet and sizes where applicable must be stated.

Indents will be based on the actual strength of the unit not on its theoretical strength.

(xvi)

Ration indents (excl petrol and oils) have been already sent in for rations for consumption to and including Wednesday Oct 2.

Separate ration indents should at once be sent to the Field Supply depot for rations to be consumed on Thursday and Friday Oct 3 and 4.

Thereafter indents go in as follows

AB 55C:

  • Indent required Monday for consumption on Thursday

  • Indent required Tuesday for consumption on Friday

  • Indent required Wednesday for consumption on Saturday and Sunday

  • Indent required Thursday for consumption on Monday

  • Indent required Friday for consumption on Tuesday

  • Indent required Saturday for consumption on Wednesday

Transport

All transport requirements must be made in writing (message form) to Composite Coy NZASC with a minimum of twelve hours notice.

Coy situated at the most Western end of camp (area E).

(xvii)

There is a camp laundry established, other ranks' washing being free, officers washing 5 Pt per 20 articles. The Camp Adjutant will advise routine on request (see also Special Circular DD).

(xviii)

At the moment of writing, postage to New Zealand is not free. Ordinary letters cost 1 Pt per 20 grammes (seven tenths of 1 oz), a special stamp for Army Post (Army Seals) being used, obtainable at EFI buildings. Air mail letters cost 4 Pt per 20 grammes – out of which one 1 Pt stamp must be an ‘Army Seal’.

(xix)

Officers attached to British Units or on courses are entitled to a special allowance of 2s. per day. Officers must pay their mess bills before leaving the mess to which attached. There is no scheme in the NZEF by which mess bills in such cases are paid by the Paymaster.

Casual meals in units in the Western Desert or elsewhere must be paid for at the mess rate.

(xx)

At the present moment, compensation for loss of officers kit is payable only

(a)

If the loss is the result of enemy action, or

(b)

If the loss arises out of a risk which is not insurable.

The matter is the subject of correspondence with New Zealand; but officers are warned that no compensation is at the moment payable in cases of fire, theft, etc., even though it may occur on duty. They are advised to take out small ‘all risks’ policies with a company such as the General; the annual rate being about 25s. per £100.

W. G. Stevens,

Colonel
AA and QMG.

page 296

Appendix A to Joining Instructions 27 Sep 40
List of Special Circulars

A

Movement Instructions

B

Accounting for Stores

C

Indents on Ordnance

D

Pay and Regimental Funds

E

Detention Barracks

F

DAG 2nd Echelon

G

Postal

H

Burials

J

Expeditionary Force Institute

K

Civil Relations

L

Discipline

M

MT – Maintenance

N

MT – Miscellaneous

P

Accounting for Clothing

Q

Ordnance – Miscellaneous

R

Leave

S

Clothing and Dress

T

Medical and Health

U

Economy

V

Supplies

W

MT – Mileage

X

Military Security

AA

Fire

BB

Courts Martial and Military Law

CC

Officers

DD

Camp Routine

EE

Miscellaneous

FF

War Accounting

GG

List of Returns