TONGAN DEFENCE FORCE

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27373, 11 June 1954, Page 13

TONGAN DEFENCE FORCE

EQUIPMENT BY NEW ZEALAND

SUPPLIES TO BE FLOWN BY R.N.Z.A.F.

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 10.

‘‘The Tongan t Government is organising a local defence force, and supplies of basic training equipment required for this force are being made available by the New Zealand Government,” the Minister of Defence (Mr T. L. Macdonald) announced today. The Minister said that for some time discussions had been proceeding with the Tongan authorities about the measures required for the defence of the kingdom. After a report submitted by the New Zealand Chiefs of Staff, the Tongan Government had taken action, and some of the equip ment it required for its force had already been sent by sea in H.M.N.Z.S ’ Lachlan.

Most of the equipment would be flown to Nukualofa, the capital of the kingdom, by transport aircraft of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, said the Minister. Bristol Freighters of No. 41 (Transport) Squadron will make 10 or 12 flights from Whenuapai, spread over about 10 days from June 22. The lift will be the first to be made by the Royal New Zealand Air Force for the army outside New' Zealand since the war- Each aircraft used will spend three days on the round trip.

Army authorities say the equipment will be sufficient for two infantry companies. Arrangements for the airlift are believed to have been made between the Chief of the General Staff (MajorGeneral W. G. Gentry) and the Chief of the Air Staff (Air Vice-Marshal W. H. Merton) when they recently visited Fiji and Tonga. The biggest items are three three-ton trucks weighing four tons each, a oneton truck of three tons, and two Bren carriers of more than three tons each. Others are two six-pounder anti-tank guns, mortars, Bren guns, rifles* ammunition, radio-telephone sets, blankets, and tents.