N.Z. FORCE FOR MALAYA

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27675, 3 June 1955, Page 14

N.Z. FORCE FOR MALAYA

TRAINING OF SPECIAL SQUADRON (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 2. All men selected for the Army’s Special Air Service Squadron for Malaya will be in camp at Waiouru by early next week. The Army’s public relations officer (Major H. L. Heatley) said today that the Regular Force component, of six officers and 40 other ranks, had already assembled at Waiouru. They would be joined early next week by the new enlistments, numbering about 130 other ranks. There was also one Territorial officer in the squadron.

For new enlistments the first week in camp would be largely taken up by documentation, the issue of clothing and equipment, inoculations, and odd periods of drill and physical training. Some men had still to undergo their complete selection tests. Major Heatley said. ♦

Training would begin in earnest on June 13'. Basic training would last for 10| weeks before the men went on to corps training. Major Heatley also announced that the Army Board had approved the establishment of the New Zealand Special Air Service as a new unit of lhe New Zealand Army. In New Zealand the squadron for Malaya would come under the command of Army Schools at Waiouru.