NEW COMMANDANT

Chronicle (Levin), 3 August 1946, Page 2

NEW COMMANDANT

CENTRAL MILITARY DISTRICT Colonel G. Dittmer, C.B., D.S.O., M C N.Z.S.C., will assume command of the' Central Military District, Wellington, next week. Lieu-tenant-Colonel W. Breach has been acting commandant since Brigadier L. Potter left. to take over cominand of the New Zealand Occ'upation Forces in Japan. colonel Dittmer is succeeded as commandant of Papakura Militan' Camp by Lieutenant-Colonel G. P. Saunders, D.S.C., N.Z.S.C. Colonel Dittmerdias a notable record in both World Wars: He went overseas with the Main Body in 1914 and served in Gallipoli (where he was commissioned), Egypt, France, and Belaium. He was wounded more than once in aetion and was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry. He was for a period between the wars Adjutant, 1st Battalion, the Auckland Regiment (Countess of Ranfurly 's Own) and Area Officer, Area 1B. On return from liaison duties in Australia he was attached to Headquarters, Northern Military District School of Instruction before the outbreak of che recent war.

On the outbreak of hostilities he was for a time area staff officer, Nq. 1 area, and in charge of the Auckland area recruiting for the Expeditionary Force. He was the first commanding officer of the Maori Battalion, which he led with great distinction. He was wounded in Libya and gave heroic service in Greeee and Orete for which he was awarded the D.S.O. On his return to New Zealand to help to train the home defence

forces mobilised to meet .ine j'a.panese tlireat, he was given cominand of a brigade in the division .vhich was established in Auckland. He went to Fiji after the'demobilisation of the greater part of the home defence forces, -and was apoointed temporary commanding officer of the Second Island Comnand, Fiji, in Julv, 1944, with the ank of brigadier.