Army Officers Shown U.S.-Style Formation

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29247, 4 July 1960, Page 14

Army Officers Shown U.S.-Style Formation

A New Zealand company formation based on the Australian modification of the American conventional-nuclear battle group design was shown to officers attending the Army exercise at Burnham Military Camp at the week-end. Designed to be airlifted from Christchurch to any trouble spot in South-east Asia in an emergency. the formation was the equivalent of 20 R.N.Z A.F. Hastings loads or 10 loads for the turbo-prop Hercules transports now flown by the Royal Australian Air Force, The formation was fully motorised. It comprised operational troops who had been brought from other parts of the Dominion for the display; and they made up the sort of grouping that could well have been used in a number of the situations in the setting of the exercises. The 30 vehicles shown included the army's new, long-wheelbase utility trucks. These have characteristics similar to those of the comparatively short-wheelbase model but have the ability each to carry up to 12 men and their equipment in comfort

There were 16 more vehicles than the normal infantry establishment of such a company would have, but they were included so that all troops would be on wheels and would still qualify for the “air portability” requirement of the formation. Not shown were the trailers which in an airlift would be drawn behind the trucks to carry petrol, stores, personal clothing of the troops and other equipment.

Other items ot equipment on strength, but not shown, were a bulldozer and a tractor with earthmoving attachments." In addition to rifle platoons of the Ist Battalion, New Zealand Regiment, <vere scout cars and a 3/4 ton vehicle of Queen Alexandra’s Regiment (a reconnaissance troop) from Waiouni; engineers and a field squadron from Addington; a troop of Special Air Service commandos who have recently returned to the base at Papakura from Australian training; and artillery from Burnham. ■ An impressive feature of the comparatively small but highlymobile formation was the high fire power. Infantry carried automatic rifles. Three-inch mortars were shown but they will soon be replaced with the new 81mm weapon; and the anti-tank section carried 3.5 in rocket launchers which will be replaced with medium antitank weapons. The artillery troop of 163 Battery, 16 Field Regiment, carried 4.2 in mortars. This is the weapon used in the artillery’s alternate role. Another feature was a powerful communications system.