BATTERY CHOSEN

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30763, 29 May 1965, Page 3

BATTERY CHOSEN

Four Guns In Unit

fN’.Z. Press Association)

WELLINGTON, May 28. The 161st battery of the 16th Field Regiment would be sent to

South Vietnam, the Chief of the General Staff (Major-General W. S. McKinnon), said today.

The battery would be commanded by Major D. R. kenning, who was. until recently, the chief instructor of artillery at Waiouru.

Major-General McKinnon said the battery would comprise four 105 mm. pack Howitzers.

Helicopters would be available for their operational deployment. “In these circumstances the 105 mm. gun is quite the best weapon available to provide artillery support in South-east Asia," he said. The gunners were confident they had the best equipment and the “know-how" to use it to the best advantage. Major-General McKinnon said he had received advice from the Australian Army that it was “most heartened” to have the New Zealanders to provide artillery support. The Australians recalled the highly successful association between Australian infantry and New Zealand artillery in Korea.

Preparations for the departure of the battery were in hand. It was proposed to grant a short final leave to all personnel before departure. The method of movement to Vietnam had not yet been decided, but it was probable R.N.Z.A.F. Hercules would be used.