ARMY TRAINING

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 05, Issue 87, 5 August 1942, Page 6

ARMY TRAINING

MILLIONS OF PAMPHLETS

A litllc known bill highly impor-

tant section of the GeiuM'al Stud' branch at Army Headquarters is the "Publication's Section" which obtains, allocates and distributes training pamphlets and manuals and memoranda to the whole of the New Zealand Forces except those stationed in the Middle East. In less til an tl) re,;' years of war several million publications have been distributed. The Publications section has always maintained close liaison with the Ai'iify authorities throughout the Empire, and latterly the United States of America has been contributing to the How of trains ing publications to Army Headquarters. The prompt issue of pamphlets direct to units has proved by far the quickest and most efficient means of putting new approved training methods into cll'iet. The frequent appearance of new weapons, too, has necessitated the im-

mediafe distribution of instructions for their employment. It is largely

in this respect that American publications have latterly proved of interest to New Zealand.

"3 ho greater part of training pamphlets and manuals, issued in

this country originate from the War 'Office, London. Advance copies of all nr.'v." training publications for the British Army are sent to the X.Z. Liaison Officer, London, who at onei! notifies Army Headquarters here. 1 by cable. At the same time a copy is forwarded to tbj Dominion by air mail. The officer in charge of Publications decides how many copies are required, and if the nmn!)or is .small cables fur the necessary! quantity to be forwarded from England. A similar arrangement operates regarding Australian publications but if the number required is large normal proeedlire is to wait lor the 'advance copy and .then have the printing done in New Zealand.

As new units come into existence the Publications Section must sec that all necessary printed matter for training purposes is supplied at once. The section laced its biggest task of the war Avhea the New Zealand Forces were rapidly expanded following Japan's entry 'into the conflict. Scores of new units came into existence within a short period and they required a tremendous quantity of pamphlets and manuals. During the first three months of this year more than a million. copies of assorted publications were distributed .

Actual distribution is done by the Army Stationery office on instructions from the Publications Section. Supplies of publications from England, the Government Printer and the private firms to whom contracts have been given are delivered to Army Stationery where the bundles for each unit are made up and forwarded. Formerly bulk supplies Averc sent to the principal headquarters for distribution to SliUllldr units, but now all material is sent to units direct to sa\ e this double handling.

Apart from attending to the allocation and distribution of all General Staff Publications that come to hand through routine channels the Publications Section is continually on the, lookout for any military publications that may be ot value. The section does its work quickly and efficiently, constantly bearing in mind the urgent need of keeping training methods and all forms of instruction in the New Zealand Forces up to th/ minute.