INTO ARMOUR

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 51, 28 August 1941, Page 8

INTO ARMOUR

The decision to form an Army! Tank Brigade for service overseas' and to train Territorial Forces in the use of armoured fighting vehicles marks a notable advance in New Zealand defence and also in the scale of our participation in overseas warfare. Mechanisation of armies has two important sides— motorisation for speedy movement, and armouring for offensive action. Hitherto New Zealand has been unable to proceed far in the latter branch, and the New Zealand Division overseas, for tank support, hag had to'work with armoured units from other Empire forces. In announcing the new scheme, the Minister of Defence uses the term "to strengthen the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force," from which we assume that the Tank j Brigade will operate with our own Division. Thus the N.Z.E.F. will

reach a new stage in establishment as a self-contained fighting force. The development has an important bearing also upon home defence, through the provision of most valuable equipment. Evidently this will be available after the Tank Brigade has completed its New Zealand training, since it is proposed to form an Armoured Fighting Vehicle School and train officers and noncommissioned officers of the Territorial Force for certain Territorial Force units which are to be reorganised into light armoured fighting vehicle regiments. The Dominion is fortunate indeed to obtain this equipment, and fortunate also to be able to secure the services of experienced instructors from the N.Z.E.F. This will add a new zest to Territorial training and immensely strengthen our capacity to defend our own shores.