MECHANISED DEFENCE

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 104, 27 January 1938, Page 10

MECHANISED DEFENCE

Latest Equipment On Display PARADE AT FORT DORSET The modernisation of New Zealand’s defence force by the provision of the latest types of mechanised equipment is rapidly being carried out, and when the work is completed the Dominion will have the benefit of the most modern appliances obtainable for the training of officers and men. A demonstration of the improved methods of defence in use overseas, and now being adapted to New Zealand conditions, was given at Fort Dorset yesterday for the benefit of members of Parliament, authorities on defence matters and the public generally. The parade was in the nature of a final inspection before the departure of a mechanised convoy of eight trucks and vans, which will leave Wellington this morning for Auckland to complete the quota of defence vehicles for the Northern Command. The convoy will be under the command of Major G. H. Clifton, M.C., N.Z.S.C. The parade was inspected by the Minister of Defence, Hon. F. Jones, and the Chief of the General Staff, New Zealand Forces, Major-General J. E. Duigan. The Deputy-Governor-General, Rt Hon. Sir Michael Myers, the mayor of Wellington, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, the Minister of Railways, Hon. D. G. Sullivan, Mr. C. H Chapman, MP., and Colonel I. T. Standish, Officer Commanding the Central Military District. were among the official party. After a detailed inspection of the 21 vehicles taking part in the parade, a “march past” was held through the neighbouring streets, the salute being taken by the Minister of Defence. Chief interest yesterday was taken in the light trucks and vans recently acquired by the army for general military purposes, as distinct from the heavy anti-aircraft gun lorries and trailers imported from England some time ago. These latter also were on display. The main object of the mechanisation of the forces is to acquire greater efficiency and manoeuvrability combined with increased sped and range of operation. When a comparison is made with horse traction, the advan tages of the motor vehicle are made very apparent. Major Clifton told the visitors that with the horse-drawn artillery and supplies an army could move at the rate of from five to seven miles an hour, provided that a day’s journey did not exceed about 30 miles; with modern transport an army can move at least 30 miles an hour, covering 100 miles a day comfortably. Description Of Vehicles. The modern mechanised convoy is a self-contained unit, carrying with it all necessary supplies and offensive material. The eight vehicles which will leave for Auckland to-day provide an illustration of this. The most interesting of them is a general utility van, which has a wide range of uses. It is primarily intended as a wireless van, being equipped with an aerial and a shortwave radio set for transmitting both speech and morse. The set is powerful, but is purposely restricted to a radius of five miles for speech and seven for morse, so that the possibility of confusion arising when sets are operating in close proximity is minimised. The vehicle is intended as a front-line reconnaissance work and is designed to replace the field telephone in use during the Great War. The van is fitted with sponge rubber seats, sliding windows and a special trapdoor in the roOf for the use of those engaged on reconnaisance duty. The trapdoor is sufficiently wide to allow a man’s head and shoulders to protrude through the top. It is also possible to fit a machinegun to fire through the roof should the van be attacked by aircraft, and the seats can be turned into an excel lent bed for use by wounded or as sleeping quarters for wireless operators. Two of these vans are detailed for the Northern District. The chassis are of standard pattern, but the bodies are specially designed by the Defence Department and built in the Post and Telegraph workshops. The light lorries which will complete the northern quota have a wide variety of uses. They are fitted with canvas tops, supported on a welded steel frame, and the whole top can be removed without difficulty. They can be used for the carriage of men, equipment or supplies or, in the event of the convoy being attacked, machineguns or light mortars can be mounted on their trays. The canvas top also has many uses. Placed on the ground it serves as an excellent bivouac for the men as a headquarters’ hut for officers in the field, or even as a wireless tent. It is skilfully camouflaged, for protection against attack from the air. The trucks are fitted with hooks for the towing of further equipment, such as camp cookers and water wagons, all of which are being fitted with pneumatic tyres at the ordinary workshops in Wellington. System Of Painting. The new vehicles are all painted with a system of disruptive colouring designed to protect the convoy from the eye of the aerial camera. Three colours, green, grey and brown, with a dull matt finish, and painted in irregular patches, give the transports a most unusual appearance, but, it has been found that this is the most efficient manner in which they can be screened from observance from the air. The object is to make all the colours show, no matter from what angle the vehicle is viewed, and it is found that under most circumstances at least one of the three colours will blend with any background. As an added protection, the vehicles can be camouflaged with special matting, but this can be used only when the convoy is stationary. No successful method has yet been devised to conceal transport moving on a dusty road, though the disruptive painting is found very effective. (Pictures on Page 7.)