PSYCHOLOGICAL GOLD BRAID

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 63, 12 September 1945, Page 8

PSYCHOLOGICAL GOLD BRAID

COMEDY AT YOKOSUKA

Writing- from Tokio on September 3 the schoolmaster on H.M.N.Z.S. Gambia, Mr. G. W. McConnell, says that the men of B Company from the Gambia, in landing' with the British Landing Force off Yokohama, underwent the most rapid promotion yet experienced by anyone in the Royal New Zealand Navy, and one which, had they heard of it, would have caused the paymaster's branch and the taxpayers some concern.

Just before they landed, the commanding officer of B Company, Lieut.Commander Davis-GofT, knowing the Japanese respect for ceremony and tradition. , informed his men that as ceremonious behaviour and dignity were required they would act as if they had all been promoted five ranks Thus he at one end of the scale became Vice-Admiral, while the boy bugler, a Boy Scout, at the other end of the scale became a .sub-lieutenant With all this "gold braid'1 about there had. of course, to bo ihe requisite

pomp and ceremony associated with it. This consisted of saluting and heelclickinc the like of which has 'probably never before and never will again be 'seen on a New Zealand parade. However farcical this Gilbertian situation might appear on paper, the psychology behind it was sound, and the men played up .magnficently, with the result that the Japanese were suitably impressed, and bowed low, and ♦he" leader of the party solemnly requested that their bodies might be sent back to Yokosuka after they had been shot.