DEFENCE TOPICS

Evening Star, Issue 22271, 24 February 1936, Page 14

DEFENCE TOPICS

$ QUARTERDECK AND PARADE GROUND

[By Sam Browne.]

GAMP DATES February 22-29.—Otago University Medical Company, Sutton. February 29-March 7.—l2th Field Battery, Sutton. March 30-April 6.—lst Battalion, the Otago Regiment, Waianakarua. NAVAL RESERVES WEEKLY PARADES On Tuesday at 7.30 p.m. the V/S. branch will muster at headquarters. On Wednesday B Subdivision and senior W/T ratings will parade, and on Thursday A Subdivision and junior W/T. ratings. MINIATURE RIFLE MATCH A miniature rifle match has been arranged for this evening, commencing at 7.30, when the R.N.V.R. will meet H.M.S. Wellington. BOAT RAGE On' Thursday evening, commencing at 7, a boat race' will be held in the Upper Harbour. R.N.V.R. boat crews are to be at the boat slip at 6.30. OTAGO REGIMENT WEEKLY PARADES The Dunedin portions of the Otago Regiment continue to parade at the Drill Hall, the work consisting of preparation for the forthcoming annual camp. The Port Chalmers Platoon paraded last Monday evening to continue the previous week’s study of ‘ The Platoon in the Attack.’ This sub-unit is showing a keen interest in the annual camp. MEDITERRANEAN FLEET NECESSITY FOR NEW SHIPS The Italo-Abyssinian trouble has served at least one useful purpose. This is to draw attention to the sad deficiencies in our reduced Mediterranean Fleet (state the ‘ Navy ’). If the average size of the ships at present employed on this station is compared with that of 1914, very grave food for thought is provided. Just before the Great War the average age of our heavy ships and cruisers was five 3'ears. To-day it is over 12 years. If there is one lesson which we have learned, surely it is that old ships are suicide ships where there is a question of serious work or any fighting to be done. The nation will not now be entirely unprepared for the demands which are certain to be made, when Parliament reassembles, for an immediate survey of our naval building plants. TERRITORIALS AND FLYING A regulation exempting members of the Territorial Force from flying except in the case of an emergency or for the purpose of training is contained in a recent ‘ Gazette.’ It is provided that where, for the purpose of training, flying is deemed necessary volunteers will he called for. In the event of an emergency any officer of the Regular Forces is authorised to accept the voluntary services of members of the Territorial Forces. It is also stated that the regulations do not apply to the Royal New Zealand Air Force or the New Zealand Air Force (Territorial), or to those attached for duty or training to these units. LUDENDORFF ON WAR The main thesis of General Ludendorff’s new book, ‘The Total War,’ is, comments the ‘ Morning Post,’ that war is not “ the continuation of policy by other means,” but is itself the end of policy. “ War,” he asserts, “ is the highest expression of the national will to live.” Christianity is a foreign doctrine in utter opposition to Germany’s racial inheritance, because it restrains the fury of the soldier at the front and makes no allowance for the divinity of the German race. The whole spiritual and physical energies of this divine race ought to be concentrated on the conduct of war. A swift and sudden swoop on the prey, in accordance with exhaustively prepared plans, must supplant the qbsolete convention of despatching art ultimatum and giving formal notice. If General Ludendorff is a private person it is, nevertheless, as the Berlin correspondent of the Morning Post ’ remarks, “ striking how many of his practical suggestions are already being carried out and his ideas cultivated by the present German Government.”