MOUNTED RIFLE SQUADRONS

Southland Times, Issue 24181, 18 July 1940, Page 4

MOUNTED RIFLE SQUADRONS

ESTABLISHMENT IN NEW ZEALAND FORMATION FOR USE IN HILLY COUNTRY (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 17. The Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) has announced the establishment of independent mounted rifle squadrons throughout New Zealand to assist in the defence of New Zealand. “Cabinet recently approved of the formation of nine independent squadrons of mounted rifles for home defence,” said the Minister. “The role of these squadrons is to assist units of the Territorial force in the defence of New Zealand should the need arise. They are to be formed for use in hilly country where mechanized units of the Territorial force would be unable to operate freely. Recruiting is to be confined to men whose occupations fit them for the particular task for which they would be required. “Units are to be formed in the following localities:—No. 1 squadron, area north of Whangarei; No. 2 squadron, area north of a line from Whangaparoa Peninsula to Helensville and south of a line from Whangarei to Dargaville; No. 3 squadron, area of Coromandel Peninsula and Hauraki Plains; No. 4 squadron, area betwene East Cape and Gisborne; No. 5 squadron, area east and west of the Tararua Range and south of a line from Herbertville to Palmerston North; No. 6 squadron, Marlborough district; No. 7 squadron, Nelson district; No. 8 squadron, Banks Peninsula; No. 9 squadron, locality around Dunedin. “Recruiting for these squadrons will be opened at an early date. In the meantime men of the following classes in the areas specified are invited to register their names at the nearest defence offices:—Returned soldiers, former territorials, members of rifle clubs, deerstalkers. Recruiting will be limited to married men between the ages of 25 and 55 years and unmarried men between the ages of 45 and 55 years. Any man offering his services must be in possession of a suitable horse and saddlery. “Arrangements about the strength of the organization and the exact location of these squadrons and the troops necessary to form them are now being made and a further announcement and detailed instructions to intending recruits will be issued later.”