HOME GUARD DUTIES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 244, 2 December 1940, Page 5

HOME GUARD DUTIES

AREA COMMANDER'S OUTLINE

"VERY LITTLE 'BARRACKSQUARE' DRILL" "Men are asking themselves at present, 'If I join the Home Guardv what is expected of me, can I fit into place, and what will I have to do?' " said Major J. H. Herrold, military commandant of the No. 2A Home Guard Area, comprising the Rotorua, Taupo, Tauranga, Wha katane andi Opotiki counties, in an interview.

"Many keen men are afraid that they Avill be called upon to parade at a time when it would interfere with their business, but there is no intention to do this. Parades will be i held in the evenings and on Saturdays or Sundays. "The object of the Home Guard is to have an organised body of men under responsible and experienced officers watching all possible landing places and to be in immediate readiness- to proceed to take up defensive positions allotted to them. This will be of immense help to Army Headquarters and will give them time to assemble the necessary troops to deal with the situation. The Training. "So far as training, is concerned, the Home Guard will need instruction in reconnaissance, alternative systems of communications, use of ground, occupation of positions, defence of beaches, siting of trenches, throwing up obstacles,- wiring positions, making sketch plans, scout-? ing, evacuating civilians and stock from war zOnes, controlling traffic, and keeping, people in a dangerzone from panicking and thus impeding free movement of troops. "There will be very little 'bar-rack-square' drill; endeavours will be made to arrange evening-parades at which will be given interesting short lectures interspersed with prac tical demonstration of the use of machine guns, cpmpass work, and similar matters. At day parades exercises will be held in trench siting, bridge-building, demolition, range finding, contacting, scouting and so forth;

Division of Classes. "The Home Guard is composed of three classes, as follows: Class I: Lads of 16-18 years. Training consists largely of physical drill or elementary training with the object of fitting them for absorption into, the army. "Class II: Men who are physicalrly fit. Training consists of more advanced work as laid down above. "Class III: Men who, owing to age, cannot be expected to do the heavier duties allotted to Class II men. They will be invaluable for lighter work,, such as guarding bridges and more especially looking after homes and families of men engaged further afield. They will also be able to prevent panicking, and generally maintain order."