BUSH & MOUNTAIN

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 99, 23 October 1942, Page 3

BUSH & MOUNTAIN

NEW TRAINING

MILITARY UNITS

The commencement of practical training in bush and mountain warfare for Grade I personnel of. the New Zealand Territorial Forces was announced today by the Minister of Defence (Mr. Jones). He said that composite companies from certain brigade groups had set out during the last few days into nearby back country where they were combining tactical exercises with deer extermination. Armed with rifles and light machine-guns, the men would treat the deer as if they were

enemy troops,

Although the troops were assisting the deer destruction branch of the Department of Internal Affairs, said the Minister, the operations were in no sense an uncontrolled sporting venture. The companies were operating strictly as military units and would employ tactical methods in stalking the deer/ Instruction in stalking, use of natural cover and concealment was included in training under the general heading "fieldcraft" that had long been regarded as of the greatest importance, but the type of fighting developed by the Japanese had clearly indicated the need for still greater insistence on this phase of training.

New Zealand troops must be taught to live, travel, and fight in the bush and amongst the mountains and hills. This was the main object of the new training.

Preliminary reports received from the companies at present operating indicated that satisfactory progress had been made and that the troops were thoroughly enjoying their spartan life in the high country. THE PERSONNEL. The Minister explained that each company consists of four platoons— three drawn from battalions and one from headquarters troops—from each brigade group concerned. A number of former Internal Affairs Department field officers now in the Army had been selected for duty with the composite companies as advisers, instructors, and organisers. One was with each company and held the appointment of company sergeant-major. Only physically fit men had been selected for this strenuous training, and all units were put through, a special hardening course before they set out. Each company was accompanied by medical personnel to deal with any possible accident or sickness.

The troops had been carefully instructed in precautionary measures aimed at preventing accidents. They had also received orders relating to the preservation of protected birds and fish, the prevention of forest and grass fires, the respect due to private property and property rights, and the avoidance of cruelty to the game they shot. Inter-communication between the four platoons and with Brigade Headquarters was maintained by signallers equipped with portable wireless sets.

The men had been given no special equipment. They had been told that they must train and fight with the excellent general purposes kit provided for the whole Army. On the other hand, every effort had been made to lighten the load they had to carry, and rigid exclusion of all extras that could reasonably be done without had j been enforced. "The new scheme aims at. introducing as many troops as possible to this form of training," said the Minister. "When the companies at present engaged have completed their period in the back-country, further companies will be organised and sent out." "The new training is part of a general policy to fit the New Zealand Military Forces for all types in any theatre of war where they may be called upon to serve," concluded Mr. Jones.