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1946 NEW ZEALAND

MILITARY FORCES OF NEW ZEALAND ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE GENERAL STAFF

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

REPORT The Hon. the Minister op Defence. Wellington, 20th June, 1946. Sir, — I have the honour to submit the following report on the New Zealand Military Forces for the period Ist June, 1945, to 31st May, 1946. General Remarks The period covered by this report has been marked by the final allied victory over the Axis Powers. The major problem confronting the New Zealand Army has therefore been the return to New. Zealand of 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force, and the progressive demobilization of both this Force and units on home service. Thanks to the very generous provision of shipping by the British Ministry of War Transport, all New Zealand Army personnel in the Central Mediterranean theatre of war were returned to New Zealand by the end of March, 1946, with the exception of a small Rear Headquarters and Graves Concentration and Registration Units and the force of one brigade and ancillary units sent to Japan. The total number of demobilizations (including women's Services) in the year under review is 40,441. Further demobilization is governed by the return of overseas personnel, training requirements for overseas replacements, storage and maintenance of equipment and ammunition, and the response to the Interim Army proposals. A relief for'the Force serving in Japan has been recruited and trained in New Zealand, the first draft, in replacement of men with the longest service, now being on its way. Commands and Staff On the 31st December, 1945, Major-General (temp. Lieutenant-General) Sir Edward Puttick, K.C.8., D.5.0., relinquished the appointments of General Officer Com man ding the New Zealand Military Forces, Chief of the General Staff, and First Military Member of the Army Board. Colonel (temp. Brigadier) N. W. McD. Weir, C.8., C.8.E., A.D.C. to the King, relinquished the appointments of Quartermaster-General, Army Headquarters, and Third Military Member of the Army Board, and was appointed Chief of the General Staff and First Military Member of the Army Board with the rank of Major-General as from the Ist January, 1946. Lieutenant-Colonel (temp. Brigadier) G. B. Parkinson, C.8.E., D.5.0., was appointed Quartermaster-General, Army Headquarters, and Third Military Member of the Army Board as from Ist January, 1946.