Observation Post

The Observation Post was printed and published by the Manawatu Daily Times for the Second Field Regiment New Zealand Army, a territorial field artillery based at Linton Camp in Palmerston North, between May and December 1942 during World War II.

According to a message from the Colonel the ‘Observation Post will provide both a humorous and serious record of the activities of the regiment during this critical period in the history of our beautiful little country’ (22 May 1942: 1). Edited by Gunner W T Mist, calls for content were made within its first editorial, stating that ‘there is any amount of talent in our regiment, and this is the opportunity to make use of it’ (22 May 1942: 2). Additionally, ‘the cost of printing was only slightly higher than cyclostyling (and) newsprint is scarce as hens’ teeth’ (22 May 1942: 2) meaning that the advertising was required to finance the effort, with any profits going into a fund to provide ‘social life for us all’ (22 May 1942: 2).

Featuring articles and stories on the history of the regiment, notices, jokes, sporting news and cartoons, the publication, having been printed by the Manawatu Daily Times was able to also include photographs.

While it is not clear whether The Observation Post continued publishing after December 1942, home defence divisions were reduced in size during 1943 and disbanded in 1944 with many not having seen combat.