Defence Notes

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 280, 25 November 1937, Page 5

Defence Notes

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"SENTRY.”)

Week-end bivouac —November 27All ranks should attend this camp as it promises to be very interesting and instructive to trained soldiers as well as recruits. The principal exercise will involve a night operation on Saturday night and weapon training range practices will be continued on the 28th. The personnel of the Wanganui units will assemble' at the race course at 9 a.m. and will spend the day in preparation for the night shoot, and if time permits, elementary exercises with their various weapons. Later in the evening they will embus for Heaton Park, Marton, where they will meet the Marton unit which will have taken up a battle out-post position, on a company frontage, prior to the arrival of the Wanganui units. The Marton platoon will parade at the Empire Hall at 9.30 p.m. to receive final instructions as to the repelling of the night assault. The Taihape unit will be notified re time and place of parade by Major R. K. Gordon. The weapon training range practices to be carried out on the Putiki range on the 28th. are of major importance insofar as it is necessary for all territorials to pass in their weapon training to qualify and be rated efficient. Then of course there are the badges to win which are the pride of all who are entitled to wear them and the envy of all who are not. It is realised that certain personnel who will be at work will be unable to report when the camp opens at 9 a.m. These ranks should report as early as possible after lunch. Any questions with reference to leave or further information should be referred to platoon or company commanders. In the case of ranks being unable to get into camp at all on Saturday, they will still be permitted to attend at the range on Sunday. As the officers and personnel of the staff have gone to considerable trouble, and have spent a great deal of time in preparing this camp, it is now up to the men to do their share by turning up in full strength to avail themselves of this splendid opportunity to learn a little more of the practical side of their training. Monday evening last saw Sergt. Coughlin on deck again with the N.C.Os of B Coy., looking very little worse for his “blighty.” “Sentry” hopes to see him on parade over the week-end. A very interesting parade was held for men of the M.G. Platoon on Monday evening, when the Vickers guns were conditioned for firing blank ammunition. Private Powell did a large portion of the conversion of one gun which was a very creditable performance for a man who has not long been graduated from the ranks of the recruits and with a little more experience he should son be in line for his first stripe.

Some men are more naturally suited for military training than others and pick it up guite easily. On the other hand we find the fellow who is always in difficulties and has a great deal of trouble in following his lesson. Whether he is one of the former or latter matters not. The main thing with a territorial is that he must be keen ana entnusiasuc about his work in general and that he must pay attention to detail. Then he must cultivate that most important factor of all, namely, esprit de corps.

A word to the fellow who feels that he is not progressing as he would like to: One soldier without the natural ability for soldiering but with the esprit de corps is worth a dozen with the natural ability but without the esprit de corps. There is only one way for a new recruit to become really interested in his work and that is to attend regularly and thereby keep right up with the doings of his unit. The many phases of military instruction run in sequences and to miss one lesson is like missing a chapter out of the middle of a book. You cannot fully understand that when follows; hence it is imperative that no parades be missed. There is nothing more discouraging than to go on parade after missing once or twice and having to listen to instructions which you cannot follow. That is when the job appears to be difficult and only suitable for fellows with aptitude. In a case like this, the instructor has the choice of two evils; firstly to hold the rest of the company back while he gives the new-comer individual instruction to bring him into line with them, or secondly, to go ahead and leave the other fellow to fare for himself and follow as best he can. To eliminate this difficulty, there is only one way; attend regularly.

In conclusion, a word to all private ranks. If you do not follow what is being taught and understand it thoroughly, <io not be afraid to ask questions. You have an efficient, well-trained instructor who will welcome queries at any time and elucidate your doubtful points for you. Some men refrain from asking questions for fear of being considered slow on the up-take by the rest of his company but in truth there is always a fair percentage who are pleased to find that there is someone else in the i , class as dumb as themselves.