TROOPS EAGER FOR BATTLE

Southland Times, Issue 24603, 27 November 1941, Page 4

TROOPS EAGER FOR BATTLE

Brigadier Parkinson’s Impressions

(P.A.) AUCKLAND, November 26. To take command of the new Army Tank Brigade, Brigadier G. B. Parkinson has returned to New Zealand from the Middle East. Brigadier Parkinson brought cheering news of the spirit of the troops and of the conditions under which the present campaign is being fought. Commenting on the offensive now in progress, Brigadier Parkinson said the production of aircraft and armoured fighting vehicles in Britain and America had been such that it had been possible to undertake this campaign under immeasurably better conditions than previously. While a large amount of equipment, particularly motor transport, tanks and aircraft, had been reaching the Middle East from America, much had also arrived from Britain.

Just before leaving for the Dominion Brigadier Parkinson visited the New Zealand Division and found the men were looking forward with eagerness to the battle which had how been joined. Liaison co-operation and fellowship with other units which were to take part in the offensive was most thorough and very cordial. STUDY OF TANK WARFARE Since being appointed to his new post Brigadier Parkinson has been studying the latest developments in tank warfare and with that purpose has visited various British units in the Middle East. On his way from Egypt he spent some time at. an armoured fighting vehicle school in India, and observed the methods employed in raising new units in Australia. He was also able to discuss the methods being adopted and to examine questions similar to those met with in New Zealand in the creation of armoured fighting vehicle units. Brigadier Parkinson, who left with the Ist Echelon, commanded an artillery regiment until four months ago and served in the Greek campaign, leaving from beaches east of Athens. The campaign, he said, had confirmed the opinions of the excellence of modern field artillery weapons. It had also confirmed that more or less drastic alterations in organization made just before the war were thoroughly justified. Relinquishing command of his regiment, Brigadier Parkinson was appointed to command a training brigade for all arms at the base in Egypt and held that position until appointed to his new post. He will leave for Wellington tomorrow.