be! This draft arrived at Alexandria on September 27th, and proceeded to
the M.G.C. Base Depot, Helmieh, Cairo, after a very pleasant but uneventful
journey, via Southampton, Havre, Marseilles and Malta. The journey through
France was by a route not previously used for troops, and the French people
were very friendly and enthusiastic, cheering frequently. Apparently the
population here were not accustomed to the sight of British troops. At
Marseilles they embarked on H.M.T. "Minetonka" (a splendid ship, but very
crowded), which, being built for the North-Atlantic traffic, was rather hot
for the Mediterranean. Two very efficient Japanese destroyers escorted her
throughout the whole journey.

At first, it was thought that the "draft" was intended to form an entirely
new unit, but they had not long been in Egypt before officers and men were
posted to various existing Squadrons. The importance of this draft is
indicated, to some extent, by the fact that within a short time every
Machine Gun Squadron in the E.E.F. (except one), was commanded by an
officer who had come out with it.


PREPARATIONS FOR WAR.

Early in October 1917, the C.O.'s of units were informed of the approaching
operations against the enemy, and given a general idea of the plan of
campaign. On the 17th of the month, Headquarters and three Sub-sections
marched, with the Brigade, across the desert to Bir el Esani. The country,
up to this point, was patrolled by the Imperial Camel Corps (I.C.C.), and
it might be termed the limit of the country so far in British occupation,
as, at Esani, patrols of British and Turks were frequently in the habit of
watering their horses in the wadi _when the other was not about_! The next
day (October 18th), a reconnaissance was made across the Wadi Mirtaba and