INCREASED ISSUE

Timaru Herald, Volume CLIII, Issue 22473, 7 January 1943, Page 2

INCREASED ISSUE

Small Arms Ammunition

(N.Z.P.A.) WELLINGTON, Jan. 6. The Home Guard, as an integral part of the army, will share in the substantially increased allocation of small arm ammunition for training that is being made in the army this year, the Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) said to-day. More 3in mortars will also be issued to units of the Home Guard and in the near future a number of 2in mortars with ammunition will be made available. Over and above an ample war reserve. said Mr Jones, the army has available a considerable quantity of small arms ammunition for training purposes and an increased issue to the Home Guard will enable all personnel to carry out adequate live firing practice during the year. There will be an increase in the scale of issue of .303 ammunition and the issue of .300 calibre ammunition for rifle and medium machine-gun will be more than trebled. A liberal allowance of .22 calibre ammunition will also be provided for miniature ranges and the issue of grenades will be nearly double that of last year. Substantial issues will be made in practice and high-explosive mortal- bombs, and there will also be ample supplies of ammunition for sub-machine-guns. “An increase in the issue of small arms ammunition to the Home Guard for training purposes is an indication of the Army's intention to make the fullest possible use of the Home Guard.” Mr Jones said.