MOTOR TRANSPORT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 12 February 1944, Page 5

MOTOR TRANSPORT

WORK IN PACIFIC AREA KNOTTY MAINTENANCE PROBLEM (N.Z.E.F. Official News Service) South Pacific, Feb. 6. All types of work —from the distribution of petrol to the provision at short notice of essential motor transport for the speedy movement of military personnel and equipment—are included in the elastic syllabus governing the employment of Army Service Corps personnel on active service. And in the Pacific theatre, despite the amphibious nature of war operations, the 29th M.T. Coy., N.Z.A.S.C., N.Z.E.F., 1.P., functions like a well-oiled machine. It is on call for any duty relating to transport.

Commanded by Major T. P. Revell, of Auckland, this unit is capable of attending to the full requirements in supplies, ammunition and petrol of a brigade group. In fact, it can be likened to a large scale general carrying company, concerned mainly with transport, breaking out and distribution of rations, including meat, to all units in its area.

With a front approximating 150 miles, the company is confronted with a very difficult task. Long haulage is required, and on bad roads the going is very hard on drivers, who are on call at all times. Their working hours vary, although the average day is from nine to ten hours. In the aggregate, vehicles average about 50,000 miles per week.

Self-contained detachments, with individual administration under section officers, are used for transporting all cargoes for the Third Division from ship-side to the appropriate stores. When ships are being worked the men take their tents, bed cots and blankets with them, and bivouac near the scene of their duties. They do their own cooking. The importance attathed to the unloading of ships is never forgotten, and when occasions warrant it the work is carried on for 24 hours a day. A vehicle is allotted three drivers, each one of whom works eight hours. Duty is non-stop until the particular ship is finished. I

Rations and petrol are supplied to all New Zealand formations stationed on the island, and to service vehicles on the road P.O.L.’s (petrol, oil and lubrication detachments), fulfil important roles.

To keep mobile a large fleet of vehicles requires a great deal of supervision, and maintenance provides the unit's most knotty problem. Every driver is responsible for his own truck, and is required to perform on it such maintenance as will keep the vehicle roadworthy. To cope with repairs beyond the scope of drivers, headquarters of the company is equipped with an efficient workshops section on a scale large enough to undertake repairs of any nature. It is staffed with lathe machinists, blacksmiths and other technical personnel who might be required for any major overhaul.

This section undertakes work that civilian garages would not attempt to do, and does the job thoroughly. There have been occasions when shortage of spare parts has provided a major difficulty, but the workshops personnel have improvised to such good purpose that most problems have been overcome.

In the successful organisation and control of an M.T. company physical fitness is essential, and to achieve this end officers insist that all ranks take part in organised sport. And as a result the men are fit, and in really excellent health. They are well equipped, mentally and physically, for whatever calls may be made upon them.