NEW ZEALAND ARMY (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE GENERAL STAFF)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1950 Session I, H-19

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1950 NEW ZEALAND

NEW ZEALAND ARMY (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE GENERAL STAFF)

Presented to Both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency

REPORT The Minister of Defence. Sir, — Wellington, 24th May, 1950. I have the honour to submit the following report on the New Zealand Army for the period Ist June, 1949, to 31st March, 1950. General Remarks In the period covered by this report, preparations for the introduction of compulsory military training have continued, and the reorganization and regrouping for the postwar New Zealand Army completed. Several administrative reforms have also been introduced, but others await the enactment of a draft Army Bill now under consideration. New Zealand Army One of the most important administrative reforms has been the integration of the Regular Force and the Territorial Force into the one New Zealand Army. In the past there have been unnecessary distinctions between the Regular and the Territorial. There are none in war. There should be as few as possible in peace. Arising out of this integration, Regular officers have been appointed to commands, and Territorial officers have been given staff appointments. Both Regulars and Territorials are now posted to the same corps and wear the same uniform. In effect, the only difference between the two is in their respective terms and conditions of service—namely, whole-time or part-time,

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Regrouping of the Army The Army in peace should be so organized, trained, and equipped that, in the event of war, it can undertake rapidly and efficiently the tasks which will fall to it. Based on this principle, units and formations have been regrouped as follows : Army Troops, including Army Headquarters, Army Schools, and base units. District Troops, including District and Area Headquarters, Coast and Antiaircraft Artillery. N.Z. Division. In general, Army Troops contain the machinery for the higher command and administration of the New Zealand Army ; District Troops the home defence and elementary training element; and the N.Z. Division is the mobile striking force for employment within or outside New Zealand as the situation may demand. Compulsory Military Training The young men of eighteen who come forward each year under the Military Training Act for their initial training will be in camp for fourteen weeks. It is obviously not possible for Territorial officers and non-commissioned officers to attend these camps. They are all volunteers devoting only part of their time to service in the Army, and they cannot be expected to be absent from their civilian employment for fourteen weeks each year. Initial training, therefore, must be undertaken by Regular officers and noncommissioned officers. This is the primary reason for the large increase in the Regular Force establishment as compared with what it was in 1939. The object of the fourteen weeks camp is to train the recruit to become a proficient individual soldier. On completion of this training he will be posted to a Territorial unit, in which, during each of the next three years, he will be required to carry out twenty days' training, fourteen of which will be in camp. The three years unit training is an essential part of the compulsory military training scheme, in which individuals will be welded into trained and efficient units capable of undertaking military operations. The success of this training will be almost entirely dependent on the enthusiasm and efficiency of the Territorial officers and non-commis-sioned officers of the units. They have a heavy responsibility. Fortunately the response to the appeal for ex New Zealand Expeditionary Force officers has been excellent, and for non-commissioned officers very satisfactory, with the result that every unit and most sub-units are commanded by men who have been proved in the hardest of all testing grounds—the battlefield. This augers well for the future of the New Zealand Army. Many of these officers and non-commissioned officers are continuing to serve at considerable personal inconvenience. It can well be said that they have already discharged their obligation to the country by their war service. Nevertheless, they appreciate that their knowledge and experience are essential for the post-war Army, and they are prepared to continue serving until others have been trained to take their place. These men are deserving of the country's gratitude. Regular Force Training During the year an intensive series of courses covering all arms and services was held throughout the country to refresh Regular officers and other ranks in up-to-date methods of instruction and in special-to-arm subjects included in the compulsory military training syllabus. To ensure that the standard of trailing at the camps will be high, all instructors attended courses in subjects which they would be required to teach, whether or not they had previously qualified in those subjects. On completion of the programme early in April all officers and other ranks posted for duty with the first compulsory military training intake moved to their respective camps.

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Basic courses of eight weeks duration for newly-enlisted Regular recruits have been held at intervals at the three district training camps, the recruits then being posted for further training either to the appropriate Army School or to a unit. In January, 1950, a qualifying course for first appointment to a Regular commission was held at the Army School. Candidates were selected from the ranks of the Regular Force and direct from civil life. All those from civil life except four University graduates had had previous war experience. Of the total of 46 who attended the course, 37 qualified, of whom 35 accepted Regular commissions on probation. Six artillery officers who have qualified as Army Air Observation Post pilots were attached to the R.N.Z.A.F. for a short period for forest-patrol duties in the Rotorua area. Territorial Force Training The training of Territorial officers and non-commissioned officers has been proceeding steadily. The object has been to bring them up to date in military matters generally, in preparation for the reception of the first draft of recruits into their units. Attendances of officers and non-commissioned officers at courses of instruction have been most satisfactory. Many units have commenced out-of-camp training in the form of week-end, day, and evening parades, and one unit has held its annual camp. The enthusiasm of all ranks is most marked. Army Schools The various Wings of the Army School, Trentham, and the School of Artillery and the Armoured School, both at Waiouru, have all functioned satisfactorily throughout the year under a particularly heavy programme of courses. Of particular note is the appointment to the staff of the Army School, of three specialists in physical training—an important feature of compulsory military training. A long-term policy plan to reorganize and concentrate all Army Schools is at present being prepared. The plan will enable instruction to be carried out with a combination of all arms and services. It is hoped to enlarge the artillery range at Waiouru to enable all anti-aircraft live-shell practices for Central Military District to be fired there. The great advantage of the Waiouru range over other areas is its isolation from civil airway routes. • New Zealand Cadet Corps Courses of instruction designed to make Cadet units more independent of Regular instructors have been attended by 249 officers and 1,700 Cadets. Cadet camps have, to a large extent, been conducted and staffed by the schools themselves. Attendances have shown a marked increase over the previous period. In order to co-ordinate the control of training, two committees have been formed. One, the Cadet Advisory Committee, consists of representatives from post-primary-school associations. The other, the Armed Forces Cadet Committee, is composed of one Regular member from each of the three Services. The New Zealand Cadet Corps competed, as usual, in the Imperial Challenge Shield Competition, entering 5,894 firers, and gaining 32 places, 15 of which were in the top 50. New Zealand was second for the King George V Trophy, which is awarded annually to the country or dominion gaining the highest results from the first 3,000 firers. Overseas Courses and Attachments The policy of sending Regular officers and non-commissioned officers on courses and attachments overseas has been continued. It is the only practical method of keeping the Army up to date, and of training personnel in certain higher staff and technical duties. There is one officer at each of the Imperial Defence College, Joint Services Staff College, Staff College, Military College of Science, and School of Anti-aircraft Artillery.

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An. officer of the Inspecting Ordnance Officers' Group has recently returned from a five months' attachment to the Branch of the Master General of Ordnance, Australia, where he studied the latest developments in the manufacture and proof of small-arms ammunition. Two N.C.O.s have recently completed a short gunnery staff course in the United Kingdom, and to ease the grave shortage of trained cooks ten soldiers have been sent to courses at the Australian Army School of Cookery. In order that recently-commissioned Regular officers may obtain experience in regimental duties under active-service conditions, attachments have been arranged with G.H.Q., Far East Land Forces. At present four junior officers are serving with British units in Malaya and Hong Kong. A Major of the Royal Artillery is at present 011 attachment to the New Zealand Army for a period of twelve months to advise on anti-aircraft problems and to assist 011 anti-aircraft instructional duties. A Major of the Royal Corps of Signals has been loaned to the Royal New Zealand Corps of Signals and, as senior staff officer of that corps, advises and instructs in the latest signals technique. University Courses The Royal New Zealand Engineers have seconded two young officers to University colleges in New Zealand to enable them to gain engineering degrees. Rifle Associations and Rifle Clubs Further progress in the re-establishment of rifle associations and clubs has taken place. The total number of recognized active clubs is now 151, with a membership of 6,237. Control is being exercised to an increasing degree through the National Rifle Association. - - : -- During the year sales of ammunition at a reduced cost to. clubs amounted to-51)6,350 rounds, and, in addition, free issues to riflemen who fired the annual Weapon Training Course totalled 398,000 rounds. Approximately 500 riflemen competed at the National Rifle Association's meeting at Trentham in February, towards which a cash grant of £l,OOO was made, together with a free issue of 121,000 rounds of ammunition. Additional Army assistance to the association included a supervisory staff of 31 Army personnel, office accommodation and equipment, sleeping-accommodation with messing facilities at a nominal charge, and hire of vehicles. Competitors numbering 560, including detachments from the Armed Forces and the visiting Australian Fleet, fired the Service matches. Personnel The strength of the Regular Force has shown a steady increase in the past year. It is* still insufficient, however, to enable the Army to discharge all its tasks properly. The training of personnel called up under the Military Training Act, 1949, will be a heavy commitment requiring large numbers of instructional and administrative staff. Furthermore, the maintenance of equipment requires the employment of many men. While it is possible, by a redistribution of staff, to handle the first intake of recruits serving under the Military Training Act, it is most desirable that the strength of the Regular Force should be built up as quickly as possible. Towards this end recruiting efforts were intensified during the year with good results.

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Since Ist June,, 1949, the following personnel have been accepted 011 Regular engagements Men ... .. .. .. .. .. 667 (including3l tradesmen enlisted in the United Kingdom). Women . . . . . . 80 Regular Force Cadets . . . . . . . . 83 Cadets for Royal Military College, Australia . . .10 (including 2 serving soldiers). The intake has been offset in part by retirements and discharges, leaving the strength of the Regular Force at 31st March, 1950, at 403 officers and 2,693 other ranks —a total of 3,096 all ranks. This represents an increase of 10 officers and 527 other ranks since 31st March, 1949. The appointment of Territorial officers and the enlistment of volunteer Territorial non-commissioned officers has proceeded during the year, so that by 31st March, 1950, the active strength of the Territorial Force, excluding the Women's Services, was 802 officers and 901 soldiers —a total of 1,703 all ranks. Changes in Senior Regular Fcxrce Appointments Retirements and training n£eds have caused several important changes in the senior appointments, the major changes being as follows : Brigadier G. B. Parkinson, C.8.E., D.5.0., relinquished the appointment of Senior Army Liaison Officer, London, on 4th September, 1949, and on his return to New Zealand assumed the appointment of Commander, Southern Military District. Brigadier C. E. Weir, C.8., C.8.E., D.5.0., relinquished the appointment of ; Commander, Southern Military District, on 4th November, 1949, and proceeded to the United Kingdom to attend the Imperial Defence College. Brigadier G. H. Clifton, D.5.0., M.C., relinquished the. appointment, o.f Com- . mandant, The Army School, Trentham, on 16th July, 1949, and succeeded Brigadier G. B. Parkinson as Senior Army Liaison Officer, London. Colonel J. I. Brooke, 0.8. E., assumed the appointment of Commandant, The Army School, 011 17th July, 1949. Brigadier R. S. Park, C.8.E., relinquished the appointment of Commander, Northern Military District, 011 28th February, 1950, upon reaching the age for retirement, and was succeeded by Brigadier J. R. Page, D.S.O. The following were placed 011 the Retired List Brigadier L. Potter, C.8.E., D.S.O. .. .. .. 21st December, 1949. Brigadier S. H. Crump, C.8.E., D.S.O. .. .. 3rd January, 1950. Brigadier H. E. Avery, C.M.G., C.8.E., D.S.O. .. 15th April, 1949. Colonel J. T. Burrows, D.5.0., E.D., transferred from the Territorial to the Regular Force, and was appointed Commandant, Papakura Camp, on 16th January, 1950. Upon Colonel Burrows' appointment to the Regular Force, Brigadier J. Conolly, D.5.0., was appointed Commander, 3rd Infantry Brigade. Colonel L. W. Thornton, 0.8. E., was appointed Commandant, Linton Camp, on 21st January, 1950. Lieutenant-Colonel J. A. Worsnop, M.8.E., was appointed Commandant, Burnham Camp, on sth September, 1949.

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Royal Military College op Australia The opportunity of entering the commissioned ranks of tlie Regular Force by means of a cadetship tenable at the Royal Military College, Duntroon, attracted a good response this year. As a result, the ten vacancies at the college allotted to New Zealand were filled. This year, for the first time, there was a Regular Force Cadet amongst the selected ten. Also included was a soldier from the Royal New Zealand Artillery. Last year the Australian authorities decided that the courses at the college should revert to the normal period of four years, thus terminating the three year courses which had been run since just before the war. As a result, no Staff Cadets graduated from the college in 1949. Regular Force Cadets The success of the scheme introduced early in 1948 for the enlistment of youths into the Army as Regular Force Cadets was evidenced when the first batch of thirty-nine graduated from the Cadet Wing of the Army School on 15th August, 1949. A further sixty-two graduated in the following month and, as with the first batch, were posted to various units as tradesmen or instructors. Regular Force Cadets are enlisted at the age of sixteen or seventeen years and serve as Cadets either for twelve months or until they reach eighteen years of age. The Army attends to the general education of the Cadets. In the 1949 examinations, eleven Cadets gained their School Certificates and three passed the University Entrance Examinations. Two Cadets were selected as officer-cadets, one being now at the Royal Military College, Duntroon, while the other is taking engineering degree course at Canterbury University College. Medical Services The general health of the Army has remained good, the sick and hospitalization rates being well within average limits. No full-time medical officers are employed, medical attention being provided by part-time medical officers and civilian medical practitioners who are assisted by Regular nursing Sisters and V.A.D.s of the New Zealand Army Nursing Service and by soldiers of the Royal New Zealand Army Medical Corps. The New Zealand Army Nursing Service also provides nursing services for the other Armed Forces. ' At the present time there are three Regular Sisters serving at the Naval Base Hospital, Devonport, and six seconded to the Royal New Zealand Air Force. In addition, a number of Territorial Voluntary Aides are proving most helpful in augmenting medical staffs. The re-forming of Territorial medical units has made good progress. Over 100 medical officers have been appointed in the past twelve months, and some 80 of these attended a refresher course at Burnham Camp in August, 1949. The Otago University Medical Company has been reconstituted on a voluntary basis, and 120 all ranks of the company underwent a fortnight's training course at Burnham Camp during March, 1950. Dental Services Dental services have been developed and expanded. Three recently-qualified dental surgebns have joined the Corps on short-service commissions, and there have been important increases, also, in other rank personnel. A feature of the dental service is that practically every dental officer is a Health Department bursar who has been released for service in the Royal New Zealand Dental Corps, where the terms of the bursary contract are being fulfilled. As a result of the increase in dental officer strength the coverage of the Services dentally has been reasonably thorough and complete. Consequently the dental health of Army personnel is good.

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Army Education Welfare Service The Armv educational and welfare services have been maintained throughout New Zealand. The main formal educational function of the Service remains the general education of Regular Force Cadets and coaching Regular non-commissioned officers for their promotion examinations. During the year, the wartime practice of committees, largely comprised of civilians prominent in the educational field, to advise the Services on educational matters was revived. Services Educational Advisory Committees have been established in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. Rationing In order to improve the standard of messing throughout the Army, a new ration scale has been introduced. This scale permits a wider choice of commodities and allows more scope in the planning of a soldier's meals. At the same time there has been an intensified training programme for officers and non-commissioned officers concerned with messing, catering, and cooking. Despite enlistments in the United Kingdom and constant recruiting efforts in this country, the growth of the Catering Group is slow and its strength is still far below requirements. In particular, more mess stewards and kitchen hands are needed. The number of cooks is slowly improving, and it is hoped shortly to obtain suitable personnel to fill appointments as Catering Officers. Accommodation It is important that the Territorial recruits should have adequate barrack accommodation during their initial training period of fourteen weeks in camp. The existing camps at Papakura, in the Northern Military District, and Burnham, in the Southern Military District, are satisfactory for this purpose. The Central Military District camp at Linton falls short of requirements. It was built during the war like the other camps, though a little later and on a different plan. There are good administrative buildings, but no proper barrack rooms. During the war the troops were accommodated in four- and eight-men huts and in tents. The huts are now in a bad state of repair, and it is inadvisable to put eighteen-year-old youths in tents for a period of three months in the middle of winter. It was intended to build barrack rooms at Linton, but for various reasons this proposal was cancelled in favour of renovating the huts. This work is being undertaken by the Engineer Construction Squadron, and should be completed in time for the first intake of recruits. The renovated huts at Linton cannot be regarded as permanent accommodation for Territorial recruits and it will soon be necessary to build proper barracks for these troops. A plan is under consideration for Waiouru to become the Central Military District camp, as well as the location for the various Army Schools and field training area of the Army. Housing for the regular staff at isolated camps and stations is most inadequate. Many officers and other ranks, by reason of their appointment, are separated from their families, and in consequence their efficiency and morale suffer. The plan to transfer further Army activities to Waiouru is dependent on an extensive housing programme for the Regular staff of the camp. It is submitted that Army housing should be regarded as part of the national housing scheme, as every house erected at an Army camp should release a house at some other location. Ordnance A large quantity of general and technical stores, weapons, ammunition and many Vehicles have been overhauled, inspected, repaired where necessary, and distributed

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from the main depots to camps and smaller depots. Careful organization and selection of priorities have contributed to a substantial overtaking of the arrears of work which accumulated as a result of the post-war reduction in staff. The R.N.Z.A.F. stores depot at Mangaroa has been taken over by the Army, and the extra storage space thus provided has enabled much equipment to be moved out of the Government storage area at Seaview, where 95,000 square feet has been made available to other Government Departments. The Inspecting Ordanance Officers Group has concentrated on the preparation of ammunition and explosives required for Territorial recruit training. In addition, the disposal of unserviceable stores by burning or detonation has taken place where personnel have been available for this task. The service proof of all small-arms ammunition stocks has now been under effective action for nine months at the Proof Office, Mount Eden. This has revealed a general decline in the condition of stocks. The annual inspection and proof of ammunition is now under action, being the basis of all operations of the Group. Disposal of surplus assets (general stores) continues. A total of seventy-eight vehicles was disposed of during the period under review. The general maintenance and preservation of ordnance equipment have been curtailed to. some extent by staff shortage, but it is anticipated that these arrears will be overtaken in the near future. Mechanical Engineering Steps have been taken to speed up the.supply of skilled tradesmen to the Services. These include the recruiting of ex-British Army personnel, of whom 31 have so far arrived in New Zealand, and the Army apprentice scheme, in which 119 indentured apprentices are being trained, mostly in the building and motor trades. Inspection, maintenance, and repair have continued on tanks and other tracked vehicles, wheeled vehicles, field, coast, and anti-aircraft artillery, small-arms and machine guns, fire-control, optical and other instruments, radar, wireless and telephone equipments, coast artillery searchlights, and machinery. In particular, vehicles have required extensive work, largely as a result of wartime usage and outdoor storage over the past years. To ease the load on workshops, most engine reconditioning has been passed to the civil trade, thereby enabling Army tradesmen to concentrate on specialized repair work. Further machinery has been received from German reparations. It includes a milling-machine, a lathe, two upright drills, and a heavy pedestal grinder. Pay and Allowances Some changes in the pay and allowances for the Armv have been made. These have been brought about either by the need to bring Army pay and allowances into line with those ruling in civilian employment or because of the existence of anomalies in the former scales. General pay increases, effective from Ist June, 1949, were approved following the Arbitration Court's standard wage pronouncement. Travelling allowances and expenses were-also increased, and the conditions under which they are payable were reviewed as a result of the Price Control Order authorizing increased hotel tariffs. Location allowances, payable to personnel stationed out of New Zealand, were extended to include New Zealand personnel in Fiji, and were amended to provide a rent allowance for personnel stationed in the United Kingdom. Women members of the Forces will benefit from recent authorities which provide for the payment to them of a uniform outfit grant of £4 on enlistment and of gratuities on discharge. The uniform outfit grant covers the purchase of certain items of clothing not issued by the Army,

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Pay Accounts and Base Records Most of the time of Pay Accounts and Base Records has been occupied in " winding-up " work, the payment of gratuities, the finalization of all pay accounts, and preparations for the issue of campaign stars and medals. At 31st March, 1950, applications for war-service gratuities lodged totalled £238,934: £nd the grand total of payments made to that date amounted to £20,454,423. A considerable number of supplementary payments is involved, as pensions are made permanent or increased from time to time. The pay account of an officer still in Japan in connection with the Australian war crimes trials is the only account not finalized. The purging of personnel files of redundant material has been completed and the saving in office space has facilitated the storing of files of the 1914-18 War. Owing to printing difficulties it has not been possible to complete the Nominal Roll of Embarkation, for which three lists are yet outstanding. However, the War Deaths' Register has been completed and handed over to the War Histories Branch of the Department of Internal Affairs for publication. This Register contains particulars of all members of the New Zealand Armed Forces who lost their lives while serving during the war or subsequently died from causes attributable to war service. In this respect, the issue to next-of-kin of Memorial Scrolls and Memorial Crosses has been completed, except in cases where death has occurred since the war. A few Memorial Crosses are still outstanding. Campaign stars and medals are now being issued in the order in which applications are received. During March, medals were despatched to the next-of-kin of all deceased soldiers except a few whose cases required further investigation. Because of diminishing activities, the staff has been reduced by one-third and office space has been made available to other Government Departments. Army Expenditure The expenditure brought to charge under " War Expenses —Army " during the financial year 1949-50 was £255,048, while miscellaneous receipts totalled £171,888, making a net expenditure of £83,160 for the year. In addition, the sum of £171,313 was'received through disposal of surplus assets by Army and £55,839 by Stores Control Board on account of Army, a total of £227,152. The expenditure under Consolidated Fund vote " Army " was £2,609,409, with departmental receipts amounting to £152,489, a net expenditure of £2,456,920. K. L. Stewart, Major-General, Chief of the General Staff.

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