THE HOME GUARD

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 140, 15 May 1941, Page 4

THE HOME GUARD

Further progress is being iiiaile in the organisation of the Home Guard in the 6a Area under the command of Lieut. C, V. Cioehetto. M.C.. M.M. In the earlier stages the area was divided into four sub-areas with headquarters at Palmerston North, Feilding, Sanson, and Paraparaumu resjrectivoly. It is now being organised in battalion localities. The Palmerston North and district sub-area now has two city battalions., a battalion for the defence of the Gorge.' and a battalion for tho defence of the coast between the Manawalu River and Waitarcre. The Feilding. district is being divided into three battalion localities and the remaining subareas each into two battalions. The most recent appointment is Mr F. H. Hudson’s, to command a battalion consisting of two companies from Levin and two fiom (he adjacent units down to Manakau. Ilia second in command is Mr F. Stallard.

Major-General Sir Andrew 11. Russell, K.C.R.. K.C.M.G., Inspector-General of the Forces, met the Home Guard officers of file Horowhenua recently and addre.-s----cd them on (be duties of the Home Guard in that sector and ilie officers of (fie Levin units have lieen actively engaged ..in carrying out exercises based on bis instructions. These exercises wore advanced a further step on May 11 when the new battalion was engaged in ils first full day parade. The area commander, accompanied bv the area intelligence officer. Mr K. A. Henderson, visited the locality during the progress of the cxerche. After the luncheon interval the battalion was addressed bv Lieut. Cioehetto, who complimented all ranks on the manner in which the exercise bad been organised and carried out. Equipment was eomirig. said Lieut. Cioehetto. hut it was important, that the men should be trained in readiness to use it when it did arrive.