COMBAT CONDITIONS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 4, 6 January 1943, Page 4

COMBAT CONDITIONS

WEAPON TRAINING BY N.Z. FORCES The gap between training and combat conditions in the New Zealand forces has been much lessened as from January 1 by the introduction ofcweapon training courses more in line with actual war conditions. An increased allowance of ammunition will give troops more live firing experience and add to the realism and interest of training. There are increased qualification standards for all shooting. The new courses apply to rifle, light and medium machine-gun, sub-machine-* guti, revolver, anti-tank rifle, mortar and grenade training. The general effect of the new courses will be to “pep up” weapon training and get the best results quicker.

Taking the rifles as an example, the system has been to Are the first four practices on the 25 yards range with the service rifle (.303). In the new courses the soldier, after receiving preliminary elementary instruction in the use of the weapon, and passing the elementary test, will go to the miniature range, where he will get f Art her instruction and firing with the .22 rifle.

Next step will be the open or classification range where, in contrast to the system now being superseded, the soldier will fire with the bayonet fixed and with sandbag support. From there the next shooting will be done in the field, under section, platoon, or company arrangements. Each man will be coached in firing at all practices. It is aimed, in recruit training, to get all recruits through the rifle and light machine-gun up to the classification course, and then for them to go to their units for further instruction in field firing and the use oi specialist weapons, like the medium machine-gun and mortars. All the troops will do the new courses, from the classification onward. once a year. The idea is to keep each man up to scratch by test. The use ol grenades will be part of field training and it is aimed that each man in an infantry section will throw or fire at least three live grenades on individual training and a sufficient num >er thereafter to ens’»r? that he “keeps his hand in.” During tactical exercises by platoon, company or brigade, an extra allowance will be made of most types of ammunition. There will be an allotment of .303 tracer for teaching the “hosepipe” method of anti-aircraft fire by light machine-guns. For field firing there will also he an allowance of hvdrogen field balloons which provide a target for light machine-gun anti-aircraft fire. The co-operation of the R.N.Z.A.F. with towed drogues will be continued. A point of interest is that the present allowance of ammunition is greater than in Great Britain, and the new scale will increase the difference.

The Home Guard will get an increased allowance of ammunition and the new weapon training courses will apply to it insofar as it is practicable to carry them out.