COAST REGIMENT’S GUNS NEVER FIRED IN ANGER

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28372, 3 September 1957, Page 16

COAST REGIMENT’S GUNS NEVER FIRED IN ANGER

The 11th Coast Regiment* Royal New Zealand Artillery, which was formed when war threatened In 1938, is to be disbanded and the guns, which, since their installation* never fired in anger, are to be placed on a care and maintenance basis. This announcement by the Minister of Defence (Mr T. L. Macdonald), brought to a close another chapter in New Zealand’s military history, and recalled many memories of war-time watches by the men and women who guarded the South Island’s east coasts. Plans for the defence of Lyttelton were drawn up some years before World War 11. In 1939, work began a Battery Point and Godley Head. In September of that year, two 60-pounder field guns were mounted in the Godley Head area. A year later, they were temporarily replaced with two coast guns, while the main armament, modern six-inch guns, was installed.

At Battery Point, two four-inch naval guns, originally from H.M.S. New Zealand, were placed in position. During World War I, those same guns saw service in many of the naval engagements against the German fleet. They have since been replaced with more modern weapons.

From 1939 to 1945, the regiment carried a full complement of Royal New Zealand Artillery personnel, and women of the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps manned observation posts and fire control instruments. At one time there were 120 W.A.A.C.’s on service there.

During World War 11, the regiment controlled gun positions from Picton to Bluff. At Ripa Island, in Lyttelton Harbour, the old six-inch disappearing guns were brought back into service as the examination battery. All vessels were scrutinised and action taken where necessary. Fishing Boat Sunk

Less than six weeks after the outbreak of war, in 1939, the fishing vessel Dolphin was sunk by shells from Battery Point. The round was intended as a warning shot.

The master, Mr F. J. Brasell, was wounded, lost consciousness, and went down with his boat; his crew man, Mr William Wil Imam, was badly hurt, jumped overboard at Mr Brasell’s insistence, and was picked up by the examination vessel shortly afterwards. After an inquiry, the then Minister of Defence (Mr F. Jones), announced that the gunners were not guilty of culpable negligence. The error has been one of manipulation of the guns. The manning of coast artillery defences called for constant vigilance by all personnel and at times the monotony of hours of peering out to sea through binoculars or instruments was interrupted by periods of intense activity. Radar, then being on little more than an experimental basis, played tricks and sometimes echoes of ships that were not there appeared on the screens. The whole area would immediately be alerted for action. The regiment was always ready to do battle.

At the end of hostilities the unit was disbanded, but was reformed again in May, 1949, as a Territorial Force regiment. The first post-war commanding officer was Lieu-tenant-Colonel J. F. R. Sprosen, D. 5.0., E.D. His officers and noncommissioned officers were volunteers, many of whom had served overseas. Pick to Strength With the introduction of compulsory military training in 1950, the regiment grew in strength and was maintained in its peacetime role by some 300 Canterbury 18-year-olds. Many officers, having completed their three years part-time training with the regiment have now transferred to the reserve. Most junior officers in the unit started their artillery training as gunners in one or other of the 24 intakes which passed through Godley Head.

Lieutenant-Colonel G. L. Falck, M.8.E., E.D., the regiment’s second commanding officer since the war, retired earlier this year. The present commanding officer is Lieutenant-Colonel lan Bell, EJD., who has seen much service as a coast artillery officer. The colonel-commandant of the regiment is Major General G. B. Parkinson, C.8.E.. D.S.O. His predecessor was Colonel R. C. Wickens, D. 5.0., E.D. For 19 years, the 11th Coast Regiment has stood guard at Godley Head and Battery Point. In that time, it has made many friends. Serving volunteer officers and senior n.c.o.’s have expressed their willingness to serve with other South Island units. The gunners and junior n.c.o.’s will transfer to the reserve.