VOLUNTEERS FOR K FORCE

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27011, 10 April 1953, Page 3

VOLUNTEERS FOR K FORCE

CHANGE IN SYSTEM OF CALLING-UP NEW DRAFT EVERY SIX WEEKS (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, April 9. To replace K Force personnel the Army will, from the end of June, call up volunteers in drafts of roughly 144 every six weeks, according to a statement today by the Minister of Defence (Mr T. L. Macdonald). Each draft will spend about three months in training camps in New Zealand, and will then be moved to Japan in three flights. Flights will be spaced at fortnightly intervals. The original system followed for maintaining K Force at full strength was to send reinforcement drafts to replace wastage caused by wounds or sickness, and replacement drafts to replace men who had completed the full term of 18 to 21 months in the Korean theatre, the Minister said. That procedure required varying numbers to be be enlisted and trained at irregular intervals. and necessitated the arranging of special transport from New Zealand to Japan from time to time. “There is much to be gained from a system which allows planning to be done well into the future and provides for the continuous recruiting and regular call-up of volunteers and for their dispatch overseas at regular intervals.” said Mr Macdonald. “One distinct advantage is that it enables the employment Of a special staff for the training of the drafts. Better results are achieved as better use can be made of the training facilities and staff. The regular spacing of embarkations also enables more economical arrangements to be made for the transport of drafts to Japan. “Drafts going forward now, while designated reinforcements. • fulfil both functions of making good wastage due to casualties and of replacing serviceexpired men,” he added. “The size and frequency of these reinforcement drafts have been determined to suit the requirements of air movement and to maintain K Force at its proper strength without anyone having to serve in Korea over the normal 18 to 21 months.”