TOUR OF DUTY ATTACKED

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31005, 10 March 1966, Page 3

TOUR OF DUTY ATTACKED

fX.Z Press Association) GISBORNE, Mar. 9. “The only criticism I have over the operation of the 161st Field Battery stationed in Vietnam, is that the LS-month tour of duty that the single soldier is expected to carry out is impracticable in that theatre of war,” Captain G. M. Connor said today. “I feel the time is too long for a man in those climate and conditions and especially under the continual strain that he is subjected to,” said Captain Connor who has returned to take over the position of sub-area officer for Gisborne after' eight months in Vietnam as battery captain. Captain Connor, who was invalided home with back injuries, explained that the single New Zealand soldier served the longest time of anyallied country in Vietnam. “Other soldiers go home after 12 months, and even that length of time is thought to be too long and may well DEATH FITZGIBBON. Rose—On March 9. 1966. at Christchurch, dearly loved wife of Martin Fitzgibbon and loved mother of Desmond iHanmer Springs), Noeline (Mrs Turner, Christchurch), Maxwell (Rangiora). Dorothy (Mrs Draper, Culverden), and the late Roderick. Messages to 17 Rata street, Rangiora. The Funeral will leave the Catholic Church. Victoria street. Rangiora. on Saturday. March 12, after celebration of the Requiem Mass commencing at 11 a.m., for the Rangiora Park Cemetery. Recitation of Rosary at the Church Tomorrow (Friday), at ' p.m. GulMver and Tyler, Rangiora.

be reduced. 1 personally think that the time of service of our troops should be brought m line with the others.” The morale was at all times very high, and this must be put down to the fact that the battery was manned by highly trained regular soldiers many of whom had encountered similar conditions previously while on service abroad.

“I found the eight months there were the quickest of my life, as we were engaged nearly all the time. “We did not have much opportunity to observe the civilian way of life as we were nearly always operationally committed.

“One of the most interesting aspects of the campaign was the opportunity it gave us to observe the extensive use of aircraft and helicopters for supply purposes.”