FIELD TRAINING

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21945, 13 February 1946, Page 5

FIELD TRAINING

FORCE IN JAPAN BASE NEAR KURE SHARE IN TOKIO DUTY (Official Correspondent With J-i'orce.) ;<ll a.m.) KURE, Feb. 11. The British Commonwealth occupation fprce in Japan will be no mere "spit and polish” formation, designed solely to impress the Japanese. Although a high standard of parade ground efficiency had been established prior to the arrival of the forces here, senior officers stress the fact that the training programmes will include field instruction, as the force may quite conceivably be called on to take up a more active role than garrison duties. Although the Japanese at present could not be more docile and co-opera-tive, the possibility is envisaged that the return of personnel from the theoretically unbeaten Japanese armies in China and Manchuria, plus the unique (for Japan) opportunities of political expression may be conducive to “incidents.” It is expected that the personnel of the occupation force will welcome the opportunity for .field training, as any accent on “bull-ring” drill would rapidly become monotonous. Although finality has not been reached, it is believed that the New Zealand brigade’s initial area in the zone to be occupied by the British Commonwealth occupation force in JajJan will be the large island of Etajima, a short distance offshore from force headquarters at the great former Japanese naval base of Kure. Misconception Removed Suggestions that the Commonwealth force has been handed “the dirty end of the occupational stick” have apparently risen from misconception of the fact that Hiroshima is a prefecture (province), not merely an atomic bomb devastated city. This misconception was exemplified by a cartoon in the Australian newspapers which, with a cricketing allusion, suggested that Australia had once again won the ashes. Although the area in the immediate vicinity of Hiroshima and Kure affords little of the expected original glamour and picturesqueness, facilities are being arranged to afford all the elements of the occupation force opportunities to visit the famous beauty spots throughout Japan. In addition, it is intended that component brigades of the force should periodically exchange localities throughout the Commonwealth area. Senior officers state that it is the intention of the commander, General Northcott, that the brigade occupying Etajima should be the first to supply a token battalion for guard duties in the Tokio area, in which case it would at present appear that the New Zealanders will be the first Commonwealth troops to be distinguished in thi s way. ..It is emphasised, however, that the detachment may not be sent to Tokio for some time after its arrival, as it is intended to give all the Commonwealth troops an “orientation period” to assist towards a rapid settling down in the Commonwealth area.