Defence Minister Announces Peacetime Plans For N.Z. Forces

Northern Advocate, 6 April 1948, Page 4

Defence Minister Announces Peacetime Plans For N.Z. Forces

WELLINGTON, Tue. (Sp.).—A statement outlining the basis of New Zealand’s armed forces of the future was issued last night by the Minister of Defence (Mr Jones).

Interim post-war tasks had now been mainly completed and attention was upon provision to meet any emergency, he said.

Here are the main points in Mr Jones’ statement: NAVY.—In commission: One cruiser, now in use as a training ship, six modern antisubmarine frigates fully operational, and a survey ship. In reserve: One cruiser, minesweepers and harbour defence craft. Peacetime strength by 1950: 2500 all ranks. Volunteer reserve: Four divisions, each of 200 all ranks. ARMY.—Regular force: An efficient cadre as the core of the land forces. Territorial force: This to be established when the regular force has been recruited and trained. Terms of service and method of recruitment to be announced later. Equipment: Most modern training equipment to be used, with provision for supplies to meet 'an emergency.

AIR FORCE, —Regular units: Five squadrons—two long-range reconnaissance-bomber, one fighter, one flyingboat, one transport—with advanced flights at Fiji, and ancillary units. Strength in 1952: 4000 all ranks. Territorial air force: Volunteer units at four main centres. Air Training Corps: 5000 cadets. Air Force Reserve. Equipment: Existing aircraft to be used until the ‘most modern type can be obtained. WOMEN’S SERVICES. Nucleus established on a regular basis, supported by territorial units. DEFENCE SCIENTIFIC ORGANISATION. —Advisory committee: To consist of eminent scientists. Inter-departmental organisation: As a coordinating factor. Defence scientific corps: Recruited from graduates to be engaged on defence science projects. Estimated annual cost, £25,000.

They were all launched between March and August 1944, and commissioned toward the end of that year. With the reduction of the fleet after the war, they were placed in care and maintenance as units of the Reserve Fleet. PRESENT STRENGTH

The surveying vessel was still to be selected, although it would be acquired with the frigates. While it would not be possible to man and accept all vessels simultaneously, immediate steps were being taken to receive the first two.

“The present strength of the Navy is approximately 1580, all ranks including 150 Royal Naval personnel on loan, and 40 Wrens,” Mr Jones added. “This year the force will be expanded to 1820, all ranks, while the target peacetime establishment of 2500, all ranks, should be reached in 1950.” The maintenance and supply of the augmented naval force was within the competence of the dockyard and supply establishment, but training facilities would require some expansion, and this was under review.

The Royal New Zealand Naval Reserve, consisting of personnel who followed the sea as a profession, remained part 0 f the post-war organisation. The Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve’s headquarters were •being renovated, and plans for recruiting were to begin in three months’ time. The four Volunteer Reserve divisions at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, when I'ullv manned would consist of approximately 200 officers and men to each division. SUPPLEMENTARY RESERVE The Royal New Zeaiand Naval Volunteer Supplementary Reserve has .also been formed, consisting of officers who had held temporary commissions in the New Zealand naval forces during the last war, and who wished to maintain their connection with the naval service.

The immediate manning of ships v/ould depend on these reserves. The Sea Cadet Corps, encouraged by the Navy League, was considered a valuable contribution to naval recruitment and seamanlike qualities.

Army

’ New' Zealand had never held the policy of maintaining a standing army, Mr Jones said.

“The most we can do is to maintain an efficient regular cadre which will be responsible for the organisation, training and equipment of the Territorial Force, and be the hard core of the land forces which, in the event of emergency, we must provide for the defence of our own interests ” he added

Mr Jones said that in the past New Zealand had depended initially upon the Royal Navy and the active military strength of Great Britain. The war and subsequent events had made it necessary for the Dominion to make increasing provision for her own defence and that of the vital strategic area stretching through thee islands to the north of New Zealand. LOCAL DEFENCE ROLE “On the outbreak of war, wherever the initial action takes place, the Army has an immediate local defence role,” he said.

“It is responsible for the manning and operation of the anti-aircraft and coast defence batteries in fortress areas.

“Soldiers must bo organised and trained to a state of instant readiness for these roles.”

Before any Territorial Force could be established the regular component must be able'effectively to train and organise this force.

The first task was the recruitment and training of the Regular Force and this was now proceeding. Immediately it was properly organised and trained it would be ready to handle the Territorials. TERRITORIAL FORCE “A Territorial Force will be established and the terms of service and the method of recruitment will be announced later, when the regular personnel have been trained and are 'available for this work,” Mr Jones continued.

“Provision is being made for the equipment of the Territorial Force when it is formed.

“Certain stocks of weapons are held throughout the country, but it will be necessary, having regard to weapon development, to ensure that any training equipment secured is the most modern available .and that- an organisation exists whereby all equipment required in the event of emergency will be available for the land forces.”

Women

The intention to retain women’s services was announced by Mr Jones in his policy statement. He recalled their excellent wartime work and said experience had proved that they were both practicable and necessary* “It has been shown that women can do certain better than men and their employment will enable us to make more effective use of our trained manpower,” Mr Jones added. “The organisation of the women’s services provides for a nucleus establishment on a regular basis and these will be supported by territorial units.”

Main Task

“Our primary task in defence is to make the most effective contribution we can to the security of our own country,” the Minister said. “We cannot limit our immediate interest to New Zealand.

“It must extend to that vital area, the islands to the north of us. “We must at the same time provide that our forces are so organised and balanced that they can, with other countries of the British Commonwealth, or other nations of the Pacific, if and when regional arrangements are developed, make a useful and effective contribution to combined forces.”

New Zealand was already, with other countries of the British Commonwealth and the United States, contributing forces for the occupation of Japan to establish peace in the Pacific.

She must also be ready to fulfil her obligations under the United Nations Charter.

“In deciding the size and composition of our armed forces our object is to establish a basic organisation which in an emergency will develop with speed and efficiency the full war potential of New Zealand,” Mr Jones said.

“Our military organisation and plans for the future must take into account the possible effect of new weapons and scientific developments. DEFENCE OF EMPIRE “The New Zealand armed forces must be so organised that we may play our part in the defence of the British Commonwealth and discharge our obligations to the United Nations. “In addition, and as a prerequisite to these tasks, they must be able to contribute in a large measure should the necessity arise to the security of the South Pacific area and the defence of New Zealand territory. “Our immediate concern is the security of trade and communications particularly in the Pacific. “The Navy and the Air Force must be organised to discharge this role immediately in the event of emergency. “To do so effectively, it is essential to maintain bases in the South Pacific Islands, notably Fiji, from which these defensive forces can operate. “The defence of such bases and vital points in the South Pacific area, including New Zealand, requires, antiaircraft and coast artillery army units as well as other military forces. “To meet these roles we require naval, army and air forces in certain proportions according to the particular role of each service,” he added.

MANPOWER, FINANCE

“Bearing in mind the limitations of manpower and finance the armed forces must be, so organised in time of peace as to make the maximum contribution to all these problems.” The Minister said that positive steps had been taken to secure coordination of plans among the armed forces, and also between them and civil departments.

Close liaison was maintained with other Commonwealth countries, with joint service liaison staffs in London and Melbourne. Representatives of the United Kingdom Chiefs of Staff were expected in New Zealand about the middle of this year.

In addition close liaison in defence would be maintained with the United States.

Mr Jones added that the best adyice had been obtained concerning the forces that should be established in New Zealand.

Action had already been taken to put it into effect and to build up an adequate and effective defence for the Dominion.

Navy

While the principal role of the navy was the protection of trade and sea communications in the South Pacific, in conjunction with the Air Force, at the same time the naval forces had to be so organised that they could train with those of the other parts of the British Commonwealth to form an effective combat force, Mr Jones said.

“It cannot be expected that in any future emergency we shall enjoy a long period of immunity from attack,” Mr Jones said. “The development of submarines has increased the dangers in which trade and communications with New Zealand may be placed. To meet these various roles, and after consultations with the Admiralty, it has been decided t 0 maintain in commission one cruiser at present in a training capacity and a flotilla of six anti-sub-marine escort vessels fully operational and one surveying vessel in constant employment.”

CRUISER IN RESERVE “Additionally, one cruiser will be held in reserve in New Zealand, together with minesweepers and haibour defence craft. “The anti-submarine escort vessels recommended by the Admiralty are Loch class frigates. Six of these, and a seventh vessel of similar size to be fitted out for permanent surveyingduties are being secured. ’ The frigates would be named alter New Zealand lakes, and a further announcement would be made conceining the names chosen and the detailed arrangements for the delivery of the vessels to New Zealand, he continued. The frigates were described by the Admiralty as having the most formidable anti-submarine armament of any ship of the post-war fleet.

Air .Force

Like the Navy, the Air Force, owing to its complex technical nature and the long training required, must he established mainly on a full-time basis, Mr Jones said.

The probable role of the Air Force in emergency and the obligations assumed under the United Nations Charter demanded a state of immediate readiness.

"The Royal New Zealand Air Force will be organised, trained and equipped to operate as part of the Commonwealth Air Forces and in support of the United Nations.” he said, “although emphasis will be placed on its immediate responsibilities in cooperation with the Navy in defence of trade and communications in the South Pacific area. Provision is also to be made for Army-Air support and miscellaneous transport duties for the armed forces.”

The plan for the RNZAF, adopted after consultation with Lord Tedder, provided for the establishment of a Regular Air Force, a Territorial Air Force and Air Training Corps, and an Air Force Reserve. The Regular Air Force, on which the whole organisation depended, would consist of air headquarters, a decentralised command organisation, five regular squadrons and ancillary engineering, equipment and training units. The regular squadrons would be two long-range bomber - reconnaissance squadrons, one fighter, one transport and one flying-boat squadron. FIJI BASE It was desirable that advanced flights of one bomber-reconnaissance squadron and the flyingboat squadron should be located in Fiji, and these arrangements would be discussed shortly with the Governments of the United Kingdom and Fiji. It was proposed to effect the plan progressively over the next four years, by when the establishment of the Regular Air Force should approximate 4000 officers and men.

Today the establishment was approximately 2500, and this would increase at the rate of 500 a year to the approximate figure of 4000 all ranks. The development of the non-regular air forces hinged entirely on the expansion of the Regular Air Force, on which the non-regulars depended for, administrative and instructional staffs and the bulk of technical maintenance.

It was proposed to develop Territorial Air Force units on a volunteer basis at the four main centres as soon as the resources of the Regular Air Forcf; permitted. PERMANENT NUCLEUS These units would have a small permanent nucleus, but otherwise the dying and technical staffs would be volunteers trained at nights and weekends, with an annual camp period. The Air Training Corps, which has been actively training since its formation in 1941, had now been established as an integral part of the RNZAF. The corps would have a strength of approximately 5000 cadets, 2000 of whom would comprise city and country units, and 3000 secondary school units.

“The major items of equipment for the post-war Air Force over the next four years have been retained from war equipment, supplemented by the purchase of 30 Mosquito aircraft from the United Kingdom.” Mr Jones added. “This equipment will enable the RNZAF to be reorganised and trained during the interim period until the most modern :ype aircraft can be secured.”