N.Z.'S WAR-TIME SPIRIT MAGNIFICENTLY DISPLAYED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 109, 10 May 1941, Page 1 (Supplement)

N.Z.'S WAR-TIME SPIRIT MAGNIFICENTLY DISPLAYED

Enormous Crowds See Defence Units March

Anmv, \ir and Auxiliary Forces CombineIn Spectacular Review

How thoroughly Auckland has awakened to the necessity for practical preparedness was revealed this afternoon, when cheering thousands witnessed the largest parade of Home Defence forces ever marshalled in the city. Approximately 12,000 marched — Maori and pakeha, men and girls. Impressive were the Home Guard iwi'a :n mufti, unarmed hut obviously fit and willing to give a good account of themselves when weapons are issued. Of course, Mr. Semple's great 28-ton tank, bristling with guns, heavy with armour-plating, made a deep impression upon the multitude of spectators as a show-piece. What impressed much more was the patent determination of the marching thousands to make ready to keep New Zealand's soil inviolate.

Tank, motor'sed artillery, Bren-gun carriers, gleaming bayonets, the forest of rifles, the tramp-tramp-tramp of marching feet; boys in their teens, grey-headed veterans sporting the ribbons of 1914-18, and the better drilled men of the between yeare, all contributed to the conviction that, backed by a unified will, New Zealand is readier to-day to meet and repel whatever or whoever may come than ever before. It was evidence that •while some of us have been merely talking perhaps even complaining—a great many people have been sacrificing precious leisure time in fitting themselves for useful service.

His Excellency the Governor-1 General, Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Cyril Nevvall. Commander-in-Chief of the New Zealand Forces, took the salute at the TowTi Hall. It is doubtful whether his Excellency will ever see anything on a larger scale in New Zealand. With impressions of the mighty, nation-wide effort of the hard-pressed Homeland still fresh in his mind, he must have been gratified to find this distant outpost of Empire manifesting the same spirit of determination, the same willingness to give practical support to the front-line fighting forces. Favoured with brilliant sunshine and a mild breeze from the north, the big parade was marshalled on the Domain and in Park Avenue. Hundreds of spectators watched the units assembling, but the majority of people preferred to see the parade on the march, which resulted in the streets of the city being uncomfortably crowded. "I've never seen a bigger crowd," said a traffic inspector, who estimated the spectators at from 100,000 to 130,000. "Perhaps the funeral of the late Prime Minister attracted a crowd as large, but I doubt it." Loudest Cheer For Air Force Men who were awarded the warmest bursts of cheering were those of the First Battalion National Military Reserve, the , Auckland detachment of the First Battalion New Zealand Scottish—making their first public appearance in kilts—and the blue-clad boys of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Maybe no one will be envious when it is admitted that the Air Force received most of the plaudits. Have not the deeds of their winged brothers who have preceded them overseas merited this? There was some remark that nowhere in the parade was there a place for the Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve, but the simple explanation will more than suffice—all but a handful of them are afloat, doing the job they were trained to do! Comment was heard, too, that the New Zealand Expeditionary Force reinforcement now in training at Papakura was not represented, but this is explained by the fact that the parade—apart from a group of R.N.Z. Air Force air personnel, distinguished by the white slips in their caps—was exclusively a Home Defence review. Mightily Rolled the Tank The four Bren-gun carriers, the eight motor-drawn 18-pounder guns,

and the great 2S-ton tank gave spectators a thrill. Only since the war. have such effective weapons been I seen in the city's streets. They contributed to a growing sense of security in the public mind. Moreover, they stirred the national consciousness to a recognition of the fact that just across the Tasman the British Commonwealth of Nations has an arsenal, not yet fully functioning, with a high productive potential. Australia will shortly turn out just such weapons in a mighty volume. The massive tank may be a trifle too big for a general utility weapon on New Zealand roads, but there is no reason why smaller models should not be produced 'to good I effect. Artillery in the Van "Sure, it was a fine parade—l nearly saw it, once!" someone was heard to say, as the last of the women's units marched down Queen Street. The remark illustrates the size of the crowd., and the impossibility of seeing everything, so far as the majority of the people were concerned. Perhaps there was no finer view of the army and air force units than that afforded in the Domain, where the press of spectators was not great. A "grandstand" effect was obtained by watching the columns, six abreast, swing along the sinuosities of the driveway. Looking over the heads of the band of the Women's National Service Corps—one of 17 bands stationed at intervals along the route —the march was seen to advantage. Artillery regiments had pride of place. First came the Ist Field Regiment, uncommonly smart in the familiar peaked hat, with red and dark blue pugaree. Then followed the 38th Field Battery, "A" troop of the 7th Medium Battery. Then came the engineers, represented by the Ist and 22nd Field Companies. Scotties In Swirling Kilts Distinguishable by their blue and black pugarees, with a file or two of motor cyclists in black berets, were the men of the First and Fourth Signal Companies. Came then, with bayonets a-gleam, the First, Second and Third Battalions of the Auckland Regiment, parading at a strength never previously attained in the regiment's history. Immediately behind came the Auckland detachment of the First Battalion New Zealand Scottish, ktlts swirling. Their proud bearing warmed every Scottish heart. It is noteworthy that some of the foundation officers and men of this new regiment fought the other day m Greece!

Army Service Corps, Ordnance Corps, the First Provost Company, Fii'st Field Ambulance, Fourth (Works) Company and 12th (Fortress) Field Ambulance Units were seen anions the last of the uniformed detachments. Conspicuous by reason of their bandoliers, and the high proportion of men wearing service ribbons, were the business-like ranks of the First Battalion National Military Reserve. All old Diggers, these men looked as though they could be depended upon to give any invader a hot reception. They are an armed military unit not to be confused with the Home Guard. Lieutenant - Colonel W. McK. Geddes, M.C.. N.Z.A., officer commanding the Northern fortress area, was in command of the parade. He had with him as staff officer Major J. L. Scoullar, N.Z.S.C., brigade major of the Northern fortress area. Women March Well "Stepping out" in the best military style, the girls and women who took part in the parade revealed that femininity is no bar to soldierly bearing "and the 600 girls who marched in the Women's War Ser- [ vice Auxiliary drew vociferous I approval from "the crowds. Under the command of Mrs. W. H. Cocker, the light-coloured khaki lines moved with a precision that might well be the envy of the more experienced troops. A contrast in dark khaki was offered by the 350 girls who comprised the Women's National Service Corps which, accompanied by its own band, was led by Miss D. M. Hawkins. With perfect precision, though obviously with a certain amount of feminine diffidence, they were one of the highlights of the parade. Preceded by the mobile hospital of the St. John Ambulance Association the association's ambulance, nursing and cadet divisions, uniformed and otherwise, presented a fine spectacle. The black and white colours so famaliar to all Aucklanders, who know the work that has been done in the past, drew applause and the neat Glengarries of the cadets lent a red-topped splash of colour. Mr. C. E. Lindsay was in command. In addition there were the women's voluntary aid detachments of the Red Cross, under the leadership of Miss C. McL. Chaffer of the centre command. Representing 22 detachments in the Auckland district, the unit was 500 strong. Over 90 women made up the Women's Red Cross

Transport Corps. Dressed In the familiar slate-grey uniforms with the unusual type of peaked cap, they were under the command of Mr. F. Home, and Mr. D. S. Ashby was in charge of the men's first aid detachments, which mustered 200 men, whose work was indicated by the brassards they wore. In command of the whole of the Red Cross sections was Mr. G. T. Paterson, whose adjutant was Mr. A. A. Harker. Auxiliary fire servicemen were led by Mr. L. S. Abbott, and, together with the Red Cross and the St. John Ambulance Association, represented the Emergency Precautions Scheme Organisation. Home Guard Display ; Wearing the brassards of their ; branch of the defence services, more , than 5000 members of the Home Guard took part in the parade. The long and the short, the fat and the thin, the young and the old rubbed r shoulders in six-abreast formation. : The fact that the great majority had : no uniforms did not detract from - their military bearing. The rainor- > ity section that wore the new light - khahi uniform was of particular in- ; terest to the onlookers. The march • past of the Home Guard took a eon- , siderable time and was a reminder I to Aucklanders that the mobilisation ; of the citizens' front has progressed 1 more than most would realise. The Guard was under the command ef 5 Major A. W. Shortt, V.D. Attached to them was a detach- ? ment of the New Zealand Coast--3 guard—not to be confused with the . R.N.V.R.—which is ordinarily at- , tached to the 12th Battalion as a i maritime section. r And no parade is complete with- - out a band. There were bands in plenty there to-day. Stationed at f different points on the parade route, i they played everything from "Roll I Out the Barrel" to "South of the i Border" to lend rhythm to marching '- feet. The Scottish music of the New 3 Zealand Scottish Regiment also added a stirring note to the proceede ings and the pipers received the cuse tomary ovation. At the Saluting Base Prompt at 2.15 p.m. the Governors General, Sir Cyril Newall, arrived i at the saluting base at the Town Hall s and was Teceived by his Worship, i- the Mayor, Sir Ernest Davis; Brigas dier P. H. Bell, V.D., D.5.0.. officer t commanding the Northern Military i District; Major-General R. Young, s Dominion commander of the Home

Guard; and Colonel Aldred, district commander of the Home Guard. Among the official party at the base were Lady Newall and familv, Captain C. J. Holland-Nash. Governor's A.D.C.; Wing-Commander Chas. Bevan, Governor's military secretary; and a large gathering of the civil and legal dignitaries of the Auckland Home Guard area, as well as Police Superintendent J. Cummings. The Papakura Camp band played the National Anthem while, his Excellency was taking his post at the saluting base. A bare five minutes later his Excellency commenced his review of the greatest and most impressive march past that has ever been held under the shadow of the Auckland town clock. Clank and rattle of Bren carriers, motor-drawn field guns, and a 28-ton tank drowned out the strains of a band that had struck up and presaged the approach of the mile-long column. Then for 50 minutes the beat of marching feet of 12,000 men and women in their country's service, the rhythmic strains of the attendant bands and the cheers of the populace went into that act of homage at the periodic command of "Eyes left!" as the King's representative took the salute. Three times the clock above I the parade rang out the message of ] the passing of time. ! But the crowd had not ears to hear the clock's warning. Here was a symbol of home and overseas service in being which most of them had not realised, and they had a hundred sights and thoughts to occupy their eyes and minds, and call for their plaudits. From military thoughts aroused by the short mechanised unit, the manner of the salute, emphasised for most by the stamping crash with which the Air Force leading section snapped to that salute, they gave themselves over to the spectacular side. The Scottish kilt and sporran aroused their enthusiasm, which was extended also to the naval uniforms, the fire service strange kit, and the boys' cycle dispatch-riders. It was, however, the appearance of the nursing and Red Cross brigades that lifted the applause to its peak. The sisters in grey, in red-lined blue capes, and in scarlet jumpers and white frocks certainly dominated the spectacular side of the march. There were yet others who averred that the lithesome marching of certain sections in the Women's Auxiliary was the highlight of the parade.

As on all such occasions, there was a deal of comic relief about the Town Hall area and elsewhere. A bearded bluejacket gave himself the freedom of the official enclosure and I was ignored by the police authorities. This apparently inspired a hardy watcher across the street, who darted between two sections of the parade and attempted a nonchalant crashing, of reserved enclosure, too. His nonchalance was, however, dispersed when a policeman shep-! herded him, protesting, to the rear j of the crowd, where he lost his earlier advantage of a good view. Another who amused the spectators was a small urchin with a toy j trumpet who endeavoured, with limited success, to play a march on ! the instrument in unison with the! band. Another child, a wee girl, put j on a side comedy with a policeman, j Coyly, finger in mouth, the lassie! edged from the crowd well into the j street and wandered about with a '' lost look on her face, but with eyes i that were taking in all the features of the march, both up and down the street. A policeman offered guidance to her mother, and the lassie took her time—several minutes—before indicating a spot at the ropes where she might be left. Then a maternal hand appeared through the press to pull her in. But the guileful chit had had a darned good look at the show. The actual parade state for the march, excluding the personnel of the 17 bands, was:— Services 4,570 Home Guard units 4,678 Emergency Precautions Scheme Organisation ... 1,700 Women's units 1,000 Total strength 11,948