DEFENCE NOTES

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 58, 1 December 1934, Page 24

DEFENCE NOTES

News of Rank and File

ON PARADE AND OFF

Officers’ Instruction

(By

“Liaison.”)

The annual course of instruction for nil regular officers in the Central Military Command commences at Trentham to-day. This year the instruction wilt be mainly iu connection with administrative staff duties in the field and will be carried out as an administrative scheme with a division. A Certain number of lectures on administrative subjects will also be given. Colonel F. Synion, C.M.G., is iu command of the course. Gisborne Nows.

The Dannevirke platoon of “C” Company,' First Hawke’s Bay, held their second bivouac for the current training ye?.’’ last week-end. As the weather had every promise of remaining fine, it was decided to leave the shelter of the racecourse and buildings, and pitch camp at Timber Bay. The decision proved fully justified. The fine weather continued, while fresh country very suitable for platoon tactic's gave officers aud n.e.o.’s new conditions to take into account in solving their problems. and gave the men a pleasant change in their camp surroundings. The work carried out under the direction of Captain B. W. Croker, M.M., consisted mainly of section leading, use of ground and formations, a night advance as a platoon, a fighting patrol, and the platoon as part of a company in the attack. Major J. H. Irving, of Masterton, Oflic'er Command “C” Company, attended the bivouac and inspected the training. At the conclusion he addressed the platoon, emphasising the fact that “C” company had always maintained a good standard, and that he expected every man to do his best to keep up the good name of the company and the regiment. He expected a good attendance at the annual camp at Waipukurau in February next. ,

Manawatu Mounted Rifles. Owing to seasonal work on farms, training in the country districts has been suspended for sonic weeks. Almost i>o per cent, of the strength has Completed the weapon training course and results show an improvement on,those of last year. Evening parades are being held at Marton, Palmerston North and Levin. Recently advantage has been taken of the excellent facilities at the Hokowhitu rifle range to hold week-end camps and courses. Manawatu Mounted Rifles. 7th and Sth Batteries, N.Z.A.. and the Wellington West Coast Regiment have all held courses, during which much interesting work has been carried out.

N.Z. Signals. Pay for the training period ended October'3l and boots have been issued to all members of the depot. Everyone seemed’well satisfied mid the hoots met. with general approval. The depot humorist enlivcifbtl proceedings by remarking, on being issued with his, boots: “The Dunedin and Diomede; sister ships.” Considering the size of boot he requires the remark was extremely appropriate. A sports evening was held by . the n.e.o.’s club on Friday. November 16, when (he Signals met the Engineers at shooting and basketball. The. shooting was won by the Engineers, while the basketball resulted in a rather gory battle, with the verdict going easily to the Signals.

Changes in India. Indianisation of the Indian Aimj lia now reached a stage when its innnediiU' and future results can be summarised. Three cavalry regiments, four engineer and two signal units, and twelve intantry battalions have been selected for and are rapidly approaching complete Indianisation. says "The Fighting 1-orces. 11 addition, a Corps of Indian Artillery is being formed with effect from the date that'the 14th Field Brigade KA. leaves India this trooping season. Iwo field brigades are being raised at the-moment and a third will be raised later. Officers of the Indian Army are now to be designated 8.C.0., meaning a British commissioned officer ; K.C.1.0., meaning an Indian commissioned officer Irom Sandhurst or Woolwich; 1.C.0., meal - ing an Indian officer commissioned tiom the Indian Military Academy at Debra Dun ; and V.C.0.. referring to a I iceroy s commissioned officer. The last-named class will gradually disappear. As they retire from Indianised units,. their places are to be taken, as to their duties as platoon commanders, by 1.C.0. s. and « to other duties, by a newly introduced class of Indian warrant officers, classes I and 11.