Defence Notes

Timaru Herald, Volume CXL, Issue 20261, 9 November 1935, Page 16

Defence Notes

An extract from a speech made by Earl Haig: "My message then, which as a man who has seen enough of war to make me determined to spend my utmost efforts to prevent its recurrence —my message to you, and through you to the Empire, is to urge you, now that war has given you at once the reason and the opportunity to do so, to set up forthwith the organisation of a strong citizen army on territorial lines —an organisation which shall come forward when the next crisis comes, not as a willing, patriotic, but military ignorant volunteer, but as a trained man. There must, in addition, be our highly trained professional army to maintain the standard of our military knowledge and meet the daily needs of a police force for our vast Empire: and there must be also proper and sufficient training schools and staff colleges that the higher arts of war may be kept abreast of the times. Above all, however, to ensure that the full military strength of our race may be rapidly realised to meet whatever danger may threaten us, we need to organise at once our democratic citizen army.” Value of Territorial Force It is only reasonable that an incoming member should be interested to know what he will gain from this membership of the Territorial Force. An enumeration of all the advantages would be difficult, but among the most prominent are: Association with a large number of all classes of the community, and learning how to get on with them. The work that is done in the unit is instructive and develops both the mind and body.

Volunteer Activities in South Canterbury

(By “Sharp-Shooter”)

with the length of service of the men in the forces. The men of the New Zeaalnd Territorial Force serve for a period of three years, which is not, of course, sufficient time in which to turn each man into an efficient soldier. However, so far as these men are concerned, we find that they obtain a sound grounding in military training, which would enable them to turn out at a moment’s notice, as fully officered and non-commissioned officered and properly organised and equipped units for the defence of New Zealand shores. The main advantage of the training lies in the production of a force of officers who serve for varying periods of from eight to twenty odd years. These officers are available to organise, train and lead New Zealand’s military forces when needed. Those persons who would produce an army in three months never provide for the captains, majors, and colonels, upon whose skill and training the lives of the men depend. This training can be obtained only by long years of experience in practical leadership. The pages of the history of the Great War abound with instances of the needless loss of lives, occasioned by the lack of training of the junior officer, and no effort can be too great, if it is directed towards the provision of skill which may some day be the means of effecting economy of lives.

Marshal Petain tells the following story. It was at the time of the Great German offensive during the Great War. To stop the German flood the high command adopted the system of brigading the Americans with the French and British. This device gave the best results. Poilus and Yankee fought together triumphantly. But one day, in a front line trench, a stalwart recruit from Missouri was smoking furiously one of those appalling Havanas, black as ebony, of the brand called in Yankee slang “Stinkadora Pomposa.” By his side stood a Poilu. “Hello, old man!” said the American, turning to the Frenchman. “Hold this cigar a moment, while I throw some grenades at the dirty Boches.” Whereupon he handed to the Poilu his lighted cigar. “Mais, non.” exclaimed the latter. “Give me the grenade and throw the cigar.” General Notes Corporals Gresson and Washbourne are to be commissioned immediately, and in the meantime have been promoted to the rank of Lance-Sergeant. Sergeant Gresson will command the transport section while Sergeant Washbourne will be responsible for raising a platoon of C. Coy. in Waimate. It has been definitely decided to proceed with the raising of a rifle platoon in Waimate, where enquiries have proved that interest is strong. During the present month a meeting will be held in that town, of till those interested in the formation of the platoon and enrolments will be then taken. The required strength will be between 20 and 30 men and the platoon will be armed with rifles and Lewis guns. An officer will travel from Timaru to command the platoon in the meantime, but the main purpose will be to train a suitable Waimate trainee to take a commission at the earliest possible date. Fourteen films on machine-gun training are now in Timaru and have been shown to officers and some N.C.O.S. On Company parade on November 13, three of these films, each taking 20 minutes to project, will be shown, at the conclusion of the commanding officer’s inspection. The Fourth Platoon of D. (S.) Coy’s, organisation is a mortar platoon having four mortars, which throw a 31b shell up to 1500 yards. This platoon is raised in Christchurch and is commanded by Sergeant Bradley, who is to be commissioned immediately. The Post Office employees have offered to organise a small signal section of six men for D. (S) Coy. All of these men trained signallers and when the group is working it will be of inestimable value to the Company. The training will consist of signalling by visual methods, organisation, tactics, message and report writing, mapreading and use of the compass, together with shooting the usual annual course. D. (S.) Coy. is experiencing difficulty in maintaining strength owing to the large number of men who are leaving Timaru for seasonal work. A number of new men can be accepted immediately to fill vacancies and recruits are invited. Ex-Volunteers Roll Call A. Wilson, 78th Searforth Highlanders. H. H. Webb, Hastings Rifles. W. Thomson. City Rifles, Timaru. G. H. Andrews, No. 2, N.Z. Engineers, Dunedin. J. R. Bruse, C Battery. N.Z.R.A. R. P. Best. Marshall’s Light Horse.