HOME GUARD

Evening Star, Issue 23749, 3 December 1940, Page 10

HOME GUARD

FUNCTIONS DEFINED AN IMPORTANT ROLE [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, December 2. The functions of the Home Guard in the event of its mobilisation for home defence were announced by the Minister of National Service, Hon. 11. Semple, hi an interview to-night. The War Cabinet, he said, had now defined the respective functions and responsibilities of the army and the Home Guard. Reference was also made by the Minister to proposals for training members of the Home Guard. The Home Guard, Mr Semple said, would assist the army in the following tasks:— 1. On the first threat of invasion hy completing defensive works under .the direction of the'army and in cooperation with army works companies. These latter units would 'undoubtedly be expanded on mobilisation and suitable personnel in the Home Guard would be earmarked for this pur-pose. If additional labourers or men untrained in military duties, but physically capable of carrying out heavy labouring duties, were organised in the Home Guard. These would also he required to assist in carrying out the array defensive works plan. • 2. Provision of bench patrols to give warning on stretches of the coast not covered by the army. Until an emergency arose such patrols would carry out these duties only in the normal -vcourse of their daily occupations. For Example, shepherds might bo instructed to watch for any unusual shipping activity of a suspicions nature. 3. To oppose enemy landings on stretches of the coast hot occupied by army units, and to hold on to pre-viously-prepared positions until the arrival of mobile army units. The army on arrival would automatically take over the command of the sector, whatever the rank of the Home Guard officer might be. 4. To construct movable obstacles to delay the advance _of an enemy who had effected a landing. 5. Under the direction of the army authori’Ji:-", but not otherwise, to assist in carrying out demolitions and constructing permanent obstacles. 6. Guarding vital points such as pablo landings, oil tanks, bridges, and important points on lines of communications. 7. The Homo Guard would be responsible for producing new sketch maps of coastal areas not included in the army mapping plan. These sketch maps would show such information .as local telephone communications, roads, tracks, defensive positions, and obstacles.

“ Army headquarters has already instructed its officers to render every assistance possible to Home Guard units in the way of the use of drill halls and training equipment,” Mr Semple said. It is understood that the needs of the army come first in this respect, and assistance will be available only when the halls and equipment are not required for army purposes. It is expected that by the end of the present year there will be rifles available to form the nucleus of a supply to be used for training and in an emergency, and in addition consideration is being given to the question of obtaining for the Home Guard the use of the many thousands of privately-owned rifles in the country. “ It should now be apparent,” the Minister concluded, “ that the Home Guard has been given a really responsible part in the scheme of home defence. and that every man who joins up will be performing a service of vital importance to his country.”