MAKING SOLDIERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23504, 15 November 1939, Page 13

MAKING SOLDIERS

EECEUITS AT PAPAKUBA ENTHUSIASM IN THE RANKS FIELD TRAINING COMMENCED MARKSMEN ON THE" RANGE Those small but infallible signs which indicate that soldiers in the"making will develop into first-class troops are present in the 18th (Auckland) Battalion of the Second New Zealand Division now in training at Papakura. , There is the guard, for. instance. The 5 first guards mounted at Ngaruawaliia a few weeks ago not only had merely a hazy idea of their job, but the 'manner in which tho sentries paced their beats, sloped, presented or ordered their rifles, and the way in which the guard turned out were hardly a joy to behold. But yesterday at Papakura the guard was coming well up to a high standard. Tliey were seen as they were nearing tho end of their 24 hours tour of duty, when a reasouable allowance for fatigue would bo justified. There was no call for such a concession.

No Watchful Eye Needed Even isolated sentries far away from the watchful eye of officer, camp ser-geant-major, or sergeant of the guard, were alert and did the rifle exercises as if tlie whole world wero watching. Comparative youngsters in age and military experience who do that are worth white. ' There were two platoons out on the hills performing elementary field exercises, where a good deal of imagination was called for. On a hot day after lunch and after scampering over the fields all the morning, - one expects signs of listlessness. But there ypre none among those soldiers. 'To g'.vo some visitors an opportunity of seeing a minor phase of an attack practice, they cheerfully put away pipes and cigarettes, fell-in in the new threes format tion and marched to an assembly point, even although it was tho hour of noonday rest.

Enthusiasm on Range One listened in vain to hear a word of complaint concerning tire interruption of the spell, but in vain. The impression left was that the. men were perfectly willing to show what they could do.

On the range at Penrose, where three companies were firing the classification practices of the musketry course, the same signs of enthusiasm were apparent. There was section and platoon pride in the man who was making a good score, and a sigh of disappointment when a run of four bulls at 500 yards—good shooting that,- especially on a gusty day—was followed by a four with the last shot.

In the deliberate shooting at 200 yards there was also good marksmanship, but many fell to pieces .in the snap and rapid practices. It was easy to see where the fault lay; a tendency to become bustled by the time factors in these two practices. More: parade ground work in aiming and firing •; will overcome it. Appeal ol Life in Open In spite of the fact that quite, a number failed to qualify in the timed shooting and will have to go through it again, there were many who qualified for marksmen's badges, and more who will be able "to record themselves as first-class shots within'the meaning of the small arms training regulation*. The steady nerve and the sure eye of the young New Zealander who •h !U spent a good part of his life out of doors are making themselves evident. It is the life in the open which i 3 appealing to the soldiers of .Papakura, especially to the city-bred man why is more accustomed to desk v or counter. "This life will do me. It is .great out here all day long." That remark was made by one who said he also felt sorry for any man now tied to a desk: His sentiments were eclnjed in varying phraseology by his comrades.

Shortage of Training Manuals Two things, very divergent', from which the troops at Papakura are suffering are the marked shortage of training manuals and their uniforms. It is common knowledgo that, with the first echelon, the : non-commissioned officers especially are only about one step ahead of their men by reason of the absence of adequate prior training. To overcome this difficulty they havo night classes after the men have> finished their day's work. It is severe going when a .sergeant has already been hard at it since before reveille. The task of getting ready for the next day's training is made harder still when he cannot get a manual to take to his quarters but must rely on his memory and a few notes made in the lecture room.

Officers, too, aro short of manuals and it is hard for them to havo to tell an enthusiastic private that they cannot oblige when a request is jnado for a text book to., study. The number of such requests made by the men is one of the pleasing, if surprising, features of the rifle battalion. A Uniform Problem Now that denims are available for training work, it is possible for the men to keep their uniforms: in better condition than -when they -first went into camp. Nevertlieless, much might be dono if the battalion had a sergeant tailor and a few handy men, as. did the battalions of the First Division of 1914-18. " "

The trousers liave been cyt to take puttees, which to-day are not worn. If a. little piece were taken off the front of the cuffs tliey would fit neatly over the foot and would not crinkle and bulge about the calf. Pressing them would complete the job. It was dofie in France under active service conditions. There is no doubt that the men wish to appear smart, for they realise that a man who has no pride in his appearance generally fails to have pride in his battalion. They have done" their best with hats and brass. When the new canteen and shopping block is erected at there <may be a pressing service, bflt much might be done in the meantime with_a hot iron and a damp cloth when men are going on leave.

NORTHERN ENLISTMENTS SMALL PORTION OF QUOTA ; [by telegram—owx correspondent] WHANG■ABE]:.' Tuesday Of the quota of-339 men from North Auckland required for the second echelon of the special military force only 53 are so far available. Earlier in the month 81 men were available, but a number have since been drafted as specialists to proceed immediately to camp.