ARMY CHANGES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 41, 18 February 1943, Page 4

ARMY CHANGES

TWELVE ZONES

NEW COMMANDERS

The creation of military command zones within the four areas of the Northern Military District, recently announced, is an important development affecting the defence plan of New Zealand, writes our military correspondent. Particularly affected by the change is the Home Guard, which is destined to play an increasingly important part in the general defence plan. Zone commanders, to hold the rank of lieutenant-colonel, have been appointed, and to them will be delegated some of the responsibilities at present held by the four area commanders. They will be directly responsible to the area commanders for the training and control in operations of the Home Guard units in their respective zones. Homo Guard Development Explaining the effect of thi Government's decision, Major-Gene-ral P. H. Bell, officer commanding the Northern Military District, stated to-day that the improvement in the war situation generally, which had enabled the Government to consider the possibility of releasing additional army personnel to their civilian occupations, had meant that Home Guard units assumed even greater importance in the general defence plan. "This being the case," he said, "and in order to give Home Guard unit commanders greater assistance in their organisation and training, provision has been made for the appointment of additional officers in all areas, who will be responsible for the regular supervision and the training of Home Guard units in their zones."

General Bell emphasised that the proposed release of men from the army did not mean that New Zealand would be unprepared in the event of emergency. Plans had been made for an immediate resumption of a higher state of readiness should the situation unexpectedly deteriorate. In the meantime, however, the state of readiness of the Home Guard units and their training would be considerably improved. New Zealand's defensive measures would be strengthened to that extent. Zones and Commanders The sub-division of areas into zones, and the zone commanders appointed, are as follows: — AREA 1 (Auckland and environs. Area commander: Lieutenant-Colonel C. S. White, V.D., N.Z.T.S.) Zone lA—North Shore, Waiwera, Helensville and adjoining areas. Commander: Lieutenant-Colonel J. L. Scoullar, N.Z.T.S. Zone IB — Henderson, Kumeu locality. Commander: LieutenantColonel H. G. Carruth, E.D. Zone IC—City, Mangere, Otahuhu and locality. Commander: LieutenantColonel H. G. Carruth, E.D. Zone ID — Pokeno, Papakura, Waiuku and locality. Commander: Lieutenant-Colonel G. R. Blackett, M.C., N.Z.T.S. AREA 2 (Coromandel and Bay of Plenty area. Area commander: LieutenantColonel T. R. Dawe, N.Z.T.S.) Zone 2A—Whakatane, Rotorua, Taupo locality. Commander: Lieuten-ant-Colonel J. Oliphant, M.C., N.Z.T.S. Zone 2B—Tauranga, Te Aroha. Morrinsville locality. Commander: Lieutenant-Colonel T. Morpeth. Zone 2C — Paeroa, Coromandel locality. Commander. LieutenantColonel T. Morpeth. AREA 3 (Northland area. Area commander: Lieutenant-Colonel H. P. ConyersBrown, N.Z.T.S.) J Zone 3A—Bay of Islands, Hokianga and northern locality. Commander: Lieutenant-Colonel W. R. Laing, 0.8. E., M.C.

Zone 3B—Whangarei, Dargaville locality. Commander: LieutenantColonel J. C. E. Wyatt. ■ Zone 3C—Warkworth, Maungaturoto locality. Commander: Lieu-tenant-Colonel W. C. H. Stevens, E.D. AREA 4 (Mercer, western Waikato and northern King Country area. Area commander: Lieutenant-Colonel R. J. Tilslej 7 , M.C., D.C.M., N.Z.T.S.) Zone 4A—Te Awamutu, Cambridge, Mercer, Raglan locality. Commander: Lieutenant-Colonel W. J. Smeaton, M.C., N.Z.S.C. Zone 48, — Taumarunui, Otorohanga, Kawhia locality. Commander: Lieutenant-Colonel E. M. Mackersey. In Area 3 the officers whose appointments have now been confirmed have been acting in that capacity for some months past. Progressive Policy

In military circles in the district the introduction of these changes is regarded as of the highest importance, implying as it does a greater accentuation of the value of the Home Guard in the defensive organisation, and a progressive policy for its development. As can be seen from the details of the localities involved, the area commanders have had responsibility for the control of military activities over wide areas of country. They have not, in the past ; been able to give the direct supervision to training activities that they would like to have given. The change is part of a general reorganisation scheme affecting the whole of the home defence forces. Details of this scheme are still under discussion in Wellington. The new appointments will affect a number of other officers in the Northern district. Among the appointments which will be necessitated will be that of the commandant of the Northern District School of Instruction, at present held by Major Smeaton; Area 1 staff officer, now held bv Major Blackett; and Area 4 staff officer, now held bj r Major Oliphant, A number of promotions are involved. These appointments and promotions will be announced shortly.