What of New Zealand’s Lost Army?

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 111, 12 May 1945, Page 2

What of New Zealand’s Lost Army?

VICTORY AND THE HOME GUARD New Zealand’s lost army—the Home Guard—which three years ago was a formidable force, pledged to defend these shores against the threat of invasion by the treacherous Jap, calls for identification again now that the tide of war is swelling towards the coiuX>leta subjugation of the enemy in the pacific. True its vast membership has been scattered but there are mauy thousands who are still happy to recall the days when they devoted so much of their time to serious training to fit themselves not only’ to defend these shores but also to provide what undoubtedly became a first-class recruiting ground for both the homo service and tne overseas forces. The call for manpower for the forces made heavy inroads on the strength of the Homo Guard out the thousands who wero provided from the ranks of this lost army never regretted the training which they willingly' engaged in even if it meant, as it unuoubtedly did in hundreds of cases, the sacrifice of other interests and often well earned leisure. Many to-day are in the ranks of returned servicemen and many others proudly wear the distinguishing badge of the Homo Servicemen s Association, but the mauy thousands representing the remainder have no identifying badge to establish their contribution, during the serious threat to these shores, towards the defence of the country. All were true home servicemen forming a grand organisation which, everyone will recollect, improvised to make good equipment deficiencies until the time came when it was booted and uniformed.

The battle of the Coral Sea and that at Midway Island proved decisive points in the course of the Japanese invasion plans for it was on these that the enemy’s audacious Co-prosperity Sphere was irrevocably wrecked. Those battles proved as well the turning point in the fortunes of the Home Guard because thereafter the threat to these Islands receded and the Home Guard’s job was virtually completed. The tension gradually lessened and the great army was faded out in 1943 when at the height of its efficiency. Just before becoming “demobbed” Home Guardsmen were made aware of the altered circumstances and were told that they would be able to march on the day of peace. But when the uniforms were called in along with all training equipment there was considerable disappointment which was soon swallow-ed up in a waning interest, although thousands harboured the idea that the lost army would be found a place when world peace was being celebrated. Thoughts along these lines were rekindled with the receipt of last week’s great news of the unconditional surrender of Germany. The celebrations to mark the event were no more or less than the circumstances called for but there were many who felt that the Home Guard, despite the absence of individual badges of recognition, might well have mustered and marched again. Official programmes provided for the representation of the Home Guard and actually some steps were taken to bring about a parade but the response did not come up to expectations. Two principal reasons for this are, firstly, many of the original Home Guard are either returned servicemen or are still serving overseas; and, secondly, a very large number are members of the Home Servicemen’s Association. The question then arose: Would they parade with the Home Guard or prefer to be associated with the R.S.A. or the Home Servicemen’s Association? There are those old of the Home Guard, and they include many hundreds of returned soldiers of the Great War, who feel that when the collapse of Japan is to be celebrated, all members of the Home Guard should parade as the Home Guard because the Home Guard, virtually a home defence organisation, was created out of the serious threat to these shores by the Co-prosperity tyrants. The question is one for all members of the Home Guard to consider and decide through their company commanders whether New Zealand ’a lost army should march again at the celebration of the complete victory. 'Many of the rank and file of the Home Guard feel that some action should be taken fo anticipate ttte defeat of Japan and hope that all members will accept the event as justifying a muster.