New Combat Clothes Being Tested

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30802, 14 July 1965, Page 1

New Combat Clothes Being Tested

(New Zealand Pres» Association'

WELLINGTON, July 13.

New Zealand soldiers were not surprised by reports that Australian combat clothing did not last long in South Vietnam, the Minister of Defence (Mr Eyre) said today.

“They have experienced the same problem for many years in Malaysia, where clothing may last only a few days under the extreme conditions of climate,” said the Minister.

It was possible to make drill tougher, as was done for uniforms to be worn in New Zealand, he said, but it became intolerable to wear under tropica) conditions." Clothing currently issued for Malaysia and South Vietnam was a compromise between weight and toughness. Mr Eyre said an experiment in rot-proofing was being conducted by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research at the request of the Army, with a view to producing New Zealand's own tropical combat clothing later.

He said shirts and trousers made in New Zealand from a specially-treated lightweight cloth were being worn by the New Zealand battalion in Borneo. STOCKPILING "When this test is complete we will know a great deal more about our requirement for combat clothing, including the possibility of stockpiling it in New Zealand." Meanwhile, New Zealanders in South Vietnam would draw tropical clothing from the Australians.

“They will be serving with an Australian unit and our requirement is so small and the supply line so long that it made sense to adopt an Australian line of supply.” Mr Eyre said. New Zealand troops in Malaysia had for many years drawn their tropical clothing from British sources, the Minister said. ACCEPTABLE

“Both the Australian and the British clothing is quite acceptable to us and. until

our rot-proofing trials are complete, we have no grounds for believing we can produce a satisfactory and more durable range of items.” Mr Eyre said this did not. however, apply to boots. “We believe that New Zealand-manufactured combat boots are of superior quality, and all members of the battery are supplied with them." he said.