RIFLE TRAINING

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 267, 7 August 1941, Page 8

RIFLE TRAINING

New Zealand’s Defence Forces REPLY TO QUESTION Statement By Minister Of Defence

A statement that no New Zealand soldier would be sent into action till he had reached a high degree of proficiency in the use of the rifle was made by the Minister of Defence, Mr. Jones, replying to a question asked by Mr. Doidge (Opposition, Tauranga)..

Mr. Doidge’s question, which was asked some time ago and which was not then broadcast or published, was as follows:

Is the Minister of Defence aware that during the whole of their three months’ intensive training at AVaiouru, Territorials were on the range twice only, and that their shooting was limited to a range of 25 yards? Is he aware that during the whole of the training year ended May, 1941, the National Reserve in Auckland had rifle shooting practice once only? Is he aware that in one company of the Reserve nine men qualified as marksmen, 44 qualified as second class, and the balance, representing 50 per cent, of the company, could not hit the target on the occasion of their one and only experience of range shooting in the year? Is he aware that the syllabus for the ensuing year provides for only one range practice? Has he observed from the evidence given at an inquiry into the death of a soldier accidentally killed at Miramar that the deceased soldier, though engaged on vital points duty, had no knowledge whatever of how to use a rifle? Has he noticed the report of an address to officers and n.c.o.’s by Colonel Row, D. 5.0., recently returned from the Greek campaign, in the course of which Colonel Row declared that while the standard of rifle shooting of our men overseas is now good, it was, when they arrived in Egypt, poor ? What is the Government’s intention, in view of the resolution passed by the Returned Soldiers’ Association urging that the National Reserve, Territorials, Home Guard, and all other defence forces should be given adequate shooting practice until they become proficient marksmen? Minister’s Reply.

The Minister of Defence replied: “Weapon training is so arranged that men do not carry out range practices till they pass certain tests called ‘Tests of elementary training.’ Moreover, if on firing the preliminary practices they do not achieve a definite standard, they are sent back for further instruction. This is done to avoid waste of ammunition. There were many different units under training at Waiouru; and it is quite likely that some men, for the reasons stated, did in fact actually shoot only twice during their training at Waiouru. The range practices are annual practices, and the fact that some men did not complete their shooting while at Waiouru is not of great moment, as there is ample opportunity during out-of-camp training for them to complete their practices as and when their state of training warrants the expenditure of ammunition to this end. All firing at Waiouru was confined to the 30-yards range as the fullsize range is not yet completed. It is, however, possible to train men to the standard of rifle shooting necessary on a 30-yards range, though it is, of course, preferable to have a full-size range. The preliminary practices for recruits are normally carried out on the 30-yards range. “The only National Reserve Battalion in Auckland did attend the range on only one occasion. This was, however, a whole-day parade, and the full course prescribed was fired. It must be remembered that National Reservists are all men who have had a thorough training at some previous stage. It is desirable that the practices should be spread over more than one day, but owing to the intensive use of Eenrose rifle range this could not be arranged during the past year. “The weapon-training results of the National Reserve unit at_ Auckland show an average score of 97 points out of ISO. The lowest score recorded is 26. The allegation that a large number of men could not hit the target is therefore contrary to fact.

“No programme for range practices for the National Reserve in Auckland has yet been arranged for the coming year. “The deceased in thq accident at Miramar was not a fully-trained soldier. He was, however, given duty in company with old and experienced soldiers. Moreover, he was sufficiently well trained for the task he was carrying out, and be was under instruction daily. There is no evidence in the inquiry to the effect that the deceased soldier had no knowledge whatever of how to use a rifle, nor is there the least suggestion that the accident was in any measure due to the lack of training of the deceased. Troops Overseas. “I am fully aware of the views expressed by Colonel Row. This officer has stated that the standard of rifle shooting of our men arriving in Egypt was not up to the standard required for active service. This was realized, and was one of the reasons why the Government insisted upon and received an assurance that the New Zealand Division would not be employed on active service till it was fully trained and equipped. Colonel Row did not state that the standard of shooting was poor, but that it was not up to the standard required. He has reported that the standard reached in New Zealand was not reproduced in Egypt and that the reasons are: (a) the different conditions of .light on the deserf -which upset

the troops at first, and (b) the loose sand from which they have to fire in Egypt makes rifle shooting more difficult. In answer to the honourable member I may state that the amount of shooting and the standard reached by the New Zealand Expeditionary Force before leaving New Zealand Is entirely dependent on the time available for training before embarkation. Training undertaken is carried out thoroughly and is continued overseas till all concerned are thoroughly efficient. No man will be sent into action till be has reached a high degree of proficiency in the use of the rifle. “The annual rifle course laid down for the Territorial Force provides for an allotment of ammunition which is greater than that allowed in any part Of the Empire, with the possible exception of India, where it has apparently been found necessary to increase the allotment for the training of Native troops. There is also a larger ‘pool’ of ammunition allowed in New Zealand for extra practice for backward shots. There is, moreover, a generous allotment of .22 ammunition made to the Territorial Force for the training, of recruits. The National Reserve being composed of men who have previously, been fully trained, the allotment ot ammunition to these units is not so great as to the Territorial Force. It is, however, adequate for the purpose of brushing up their previous training. Arrangements have been made for an adequate supply of ammunition to the Home Guard during the next 12 months. This allotment has been based on the recommendations of General Sir Guy Williams. I think the honourable member will be satisfied that adequate provision of ammunition has been made when I tell him that a total, of over 3,400,000 rounds of .303 ammunition has been made available for the training of the Territorial Force and National Reserve during the past training year, and that since the war started over 6,600,00 b rounds have been expended by the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in training.”