WAR TOPICS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 10, 30 January 1942, Page 6

WAR TOPICS

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TANKS IN ACTION

IMPRESSIVE SPECTACLE | REALISTIC MANOEUVRES Powerful Valentine infantry tanks lumbering out of camp, more nimble Bren gun carriers following in their wake, and then lines of army transports swarming with tin-hatted soldiers, provided an impressive spectacle as a Special Battalion of the Ist NjZ- Army Tank Brigade moved out into open country from its camp recently to take part in realistic daj r and night manoeuvres. Despatch riders an motor cycles added to the din of a mechanical column on the move and heightened the touch of realism. For the first time in the history of the Dominion modern tanks were taking part in full scale army manoeuvres and the sight of these efficient infantry tanks in action was an • indication of the increasing mechanisation of the military forces within the Dominion. e

For several days and nights the special battalion carried out exacting exercises under strict active service conditions, the information and experience derived from the manoeuvres will be of inestimable value to the officers and men of the Tank Brigade. All men carried full equipment and lived on regular army rations for the duration of the manoeuvres. Many of them were having their first experience of full scalemanoeuvres, and they carried out their duties with a zest that augurs well for the Tank Brigade when it adds its strength to the forces alrcadv on active service.

Outstanding Success Although the tank trainees were for the main part novices as far as actual warfare was concerned their ranks were stiffened by wen who had taken part in the battles; of Greece and the Western Desert. They were the men who comprise the Middle East personnel who returned to N'cw Zealand last year for the special purpose of training New Zealanders in tank warfare. Most of the men who took part in the recent manoeuvres arc students of the Armoured Fighting Vehicle School where personnel receive a thorough grounding in the scientific aspects of tank warfare.

Altogether the manoeuvres were an outstanding success and, demonstrated very forcibly the ease with which modern armoured fighting vehicles can operate over rugged country, Mock dive-bombing attacks, surprise night attacks by the "enemy".'kept the men on the alert and made them familiar with the necessary counter-measures against such actions. Apart from the usual camouflaging of the various vehicles, grass and tree branches were used to, conceal the various units from possible observation from the air. The men proved themselves adept at improvisation, the art of which has proved so important in some engagements during the present conflict.

Essential Part by Wireless Wireless operators found their knowledge rigorously tested and learnt, too, what an essential part wireless plays in tank warfare. Other personnel also benefited by the practical application of their knowledge and perhaps learnt just as much during the few days on manoeuvres os tliey probably would during a considerably longer period of ordinary training. Most valuable e,f all perhaps was the opportunity given both officers and men to use their initiative. At a ti.me when -war clouds have spread to the Pacific the knowledge that the Dominion has added a Tank Brigade, to its other effective striking forces brings a further reason for confidence. The recent manoeuvres provided some reflection of New' Zealand's preparedness and an indication too of how readilj- and rapidly the Dominion's fighting men are fitting themselves for mechanised warfare.

BEYOND ARMISTICE DAY

j NEXT TIME THERE MUST BE I PEACE I NO MORE MERE, TRUCES Last time it was only an armistice; next time it must be peace. For 20 years peoples and governments celebrated a day called Armistice Day. The very name is symbolic. It signified a pause—a turning away from struggle instead of a resolve to see a struggle through. Next time it must be jDeace (says the Christian Science Monitor, in its leading article of November 3). The peoples do not want a mere truce. They are fighting to-day not simply to stop something, though that is the first job. They mean to begin something. It will take more than intentions, however. It cannot be left to Governments. Governments can make an armistice, the peoples .—or better, the people—must make

What have the people to do with it? Nearly everything. The peacemakers at Versailles listened to experts on boundaries. But they tended to set boundaries where the popular wills of the people alreadj l " indicated. The people decided. But why did the experts not insist on enforcing more jjrofessional decisions? The people-again. Not the same people, to be sure. But the people, nevertheless. To have insisted on drastic changes in southeastern feuropean boundaries, for example might have meant the despatching of belated expeditionary forces from France, Britain and America. The people of these nations said, "The war is over. Get the boys out of the trenches by Christmas." This is what the people said.

Faults of Versailles Many of the faults of Versailles can be traced to haste, lack e.f organisation, surrender of moderates to extremists in the peacc councils — all necessitated by the demand for a quick liquidation of the situatioi' that was keeping mothers' sons front homes that hungered for them"Squeeze Germany till the pips squeak." British politicians coined the phrase. But the people took it up. The squeeze Avas on the German Republic. It helped to squeeze moderate men out of political office, in Germany. "Keep America out of. Europe's affairs." This certainly was no decision of experts. The voice of the politicians again became the voice of the people—or was permitted by the people to pass as their voice. The guarantees that France needed against German resurgence could not be obtained wliila Americans wanted to have nothing to do with the Europe they had helped to save. So France armed, and. Germany used French arms as tlie pretext for German claims to. the right to rearm. The history c.f the armistice is this kind of history. Not that governments; have always represented the peoples' desi-res. But statesmen could not have failed the League of Nations had all peoples been actively true to it. They could not have risked the liberties of mankind, nor of the smallest segment of mankind, without the passive assent of the people. They could npt have manipulated an armistice for 20 years if the people had made peace.

True Religion the Wiay Out Next time, will we be willing to "thick it?" Will Americans carry the battle beyond the shooting stage? Will Britons keep clear of the electioneers' Lorelei songs? Will Frenchmen insist on keeping Germany friendly i-nstead of keeping it merely weak? The lessons of these times should assure it. And the signs of these times say the people have learned many lessons. The people have learned to love at least to the extent that it ha> , become hard J'or' them to hate, as is clear from many letters coming out of lands in the midst of war. or even under Nazi occupation. The people arc learning that thej" cannot leave God out of their affairs and yet experience the peace of brotherhood based on His Fatherhood. In the Inst war a turning away from religion

weakened the hope for real peacemaking. In the present testing-time people have shown increased reliance on spiritual factors, both for strength to withstand assault and for faith in the future. But the people, awakened at last from apathy will need patience. We shall need courage beyond battle, endurance beyond physical trial, wisdom beyond selfishness. Next time it must be peace.