Changes in Home Defence Units

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 237, 7 October 1940, Page 7

Changes in Home Defence Units

PLACING TERRITORIAL POBCE ON WAR ROOTING Per Pres, /.seociatlon. WELLINGTON, Oct. 6. Hon. F. Jones, in announcing import ant administrative changes in the home defence units, said the Army was being placed on a footing bqth in organisation and training to facilitate a smooth and rapid change-over should mobilisation become necessary. It will bo obvious that an organisation suitable for peace conditions with a Territorial Force ot Iff,ooo will not answer the demands which would be placed upon it should an army of over 40,000 be required to defend these shores. The Government lias therefore decided that the commanders of more important formations and their principal staff officers should hold their appointments in peace m order to enable them to study the various tactical and administrative prob terns with which theyi might be faced in war. The officers concerned are: Colonel P. H. Bell, D. 5.0., to command the Ist (Northern) Division with headquarters at Auckland; Colonel O. H. Mead, C. D. 5.0., to command the 3rd (Southland) Division with headquarters at Christchurch; Colonel N. W. Mc.l). Weir, to command tho 2nd (Central* Division with headquarters at Wellington. These officers will be granted the temporary rank of brigadier. Colonel R. A. Row, D. 5.0., is to command the Northern Field Force, Colonel E. T. Ilowllings is to command the Southern Field Force and Lt.-ColoneJ L. Potter from G.S.O. Northern District is to command tho Central Field Force with the temporary rank of colonel. Lt.-Colonel A. E. Conway 0.8. E. is to be Adjutant-General with the temporary rank of colonel, Lt.-Colonel L. G. Goss is to be colonel of the General Staff with the temporary rank of colonel, Lt.-Colonel H. E. Avery, C.M.G., D. i 3 to be Quartermaster-General with the temporary rank of colonel. Tho appointments will take effect on October 14. The training of the commanders and staffs will be carried out progressively in each district, but as a first step in this direction a staff course is now being held. This will be followed shortly by a courses for commanders of formations and their staffs who have an opportunity of putting tho knowledge gained into practice at a later dato when their formations will be assembled for brigado training. This training will be carried out in December and March when tho units comprising these brigades will bo at the end or their three months* intensive training.