TOUGHEN ARMY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 33, 9 February 1943, Page 4

TOUGHEN ARMY

NEW PLAN IN N.Z. TRAINING METHODS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, this day. A new scheme of physical training involving many revolutionary changes from the present methods is about to be applied throughout the army in New Zealand, said the Minister of Defence, Mr. Jones, to-day. This scheme, which came into operation in Uriited Kingdom training camps a few months ago, will be subject to minor modifications to be introduced here as soon as sufficient commissioned and non-commissioned officer instructors are trained. The lipst class of trainees as instructors will assemble at the Army School on Monday. The new scheme aims at toughening the soldier to a considerably' greater extent than has been previously attempted. It is divided into two main sections, (1) basic physical trainirig for use during recruit training and for troops working under static conditions, or who require reconditioning; (2) "purposeful" physical training, which, as the name indicates, is intended to prepare the soldier in every possible way to meet great, physical stress of battle under all conditions. The training will entail marching, running on roads and cross country in battledress and boots, scaling ropes, logs, trees, cliffs, walls, etc., tugs of war, exercises with heavy logs, jumping obstacles, courses of unarmed combat, parachute landing exercises and tabloid sports, parachute landing exercises comprising relaxed fallings and rolls downward, jumping from a height of up to ten feet, instruction in boxing and swimming.