HOME GUARD

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 3 December 1940, Page 2

HOME GUARD

FUNCTIONS IN EVENT OF MOBILISATION CO-OPERATION WITH THE ARMY RESPONSIBLE PART IN DEFENCE i [United Press Association) WELLINGTON, This Day. ‘The functions of the Home Guard in the event of its mobilisation for home defence were announced by t Minister of National Service, Mr Semple, in ! an interview last night. The War ; Cabinet, he said, had defined the res- ' pective functions and responsibilities | of the Army and the Home Guard. Reference was also made by the Minister to proposals for training members of the Home Guard. The Home Guard, said Mr Semple, would assist the Army in the following tasks: (1) On the first tlireat of an invasion by completing defensive works under the direction of the Army and in co-operation with Army works companies. These latter units would un- ! doubtedly expand on mobilisation and suitable personnel in the Home Guard would be earmarked for this purpose. If additional labourers, or men untrained in military duties but physically capable of carrying out heavy labouring duties could be organised in the Home Guard, these would also be! required to assist in carrying out the I Army defensive works plan. BEACH PATROLS [ (2) The provision of beach patrols to give warning on stretches of the coast not covered by the Army. Till an emergency arose such patrols would carry out these duties only in the normal course of their daily occupation, for example, shepherds might be instructed to watch for any unusual ; shipping activity which was of a sus-1 picious nature. (3) To oppose enemy landings on | stretches of the coast not occupied by Army units and to hold on to previ- ! ously prepared positions till the arrival of mobile Army units. The Army on arrival would automatically take over • command of the sector whatever the rank of the Home Guard officer might be. (4) To construct movable obstacles to delay the advance of an enemy who had effected a landing. (5) Under the direction of the Army authorities but not otherwise to assist in carrying out demolitions and constructing permanent obstacles. (6) Guarding vital points, such as cable landings, oil tanks, bridges and important points on the lines of communications. (7) The Home Guard would be responsible for producing new sketch maps of coastal areas not included in the Army mapping plan. These sketch maps would show much information as local telephone communications, roads, tracks, defensive positions and obstacles. TRAINING FACILITIES “Army Headquarters has already instructed its officers to render every assistance possible to Home Guard units in the way of use of drill halls and training equipment,” said Mr Semple. “It is understood that the needs of the Army come first in this respect, and assistance will be available only when the halls and equipment are not required for Army purposes. It is expected that by the end of the present year there will be rifles available to form the nucleus of a supply to be used for training and emergency, and in addition consideration is being given to the question of obtaining for the Home Guard the use of the many thousands of privately-owned rifles in the country. “It should now be apparent,” the Minister concluded, “that the Home Guard has been given a really responsible part in the scheme of home defence and that every man who joins up will be performing a service of vital importance to his country.” SPECIAL TRAINING COURSE AUCKLAND, 2nd December Between 30 and 60 officers and n.c.o’s of the Home Guard will enter eamp in January for a week’s special training, probably at the Army District School, Narrow Neck.