B.C.O.F. TO BE PRUNED

Chronicle (Levin), 28 August 1947, Page 5

B.C.O.F. TO BE PRUNED

pres° Association)

Australian Army Chief On Way To Japan

(Per

WELLINGTON, Aug. 28. The pruning ' knife is to be applied to headquarters and depot staffs of the B.C.O.F. in Japan. This is the reason for the coming visit there of LieUtfinant-General Sturdee, Chief of- tne Australian General Staff, who, in an interview, stated that economy in such establishments was neeessary in view of the manpower positicm General Studee said that While troops to deal with possible trouble could not be cut down in numbers, the men in supply and other depots could be. The infantry brigade provided for iri Australia's new standing army of 19,000 would undertake some garrison duty in Japan. > Asked about Australian General Staff plans towards developing tactics in an age of atomic bombs and rocket projectiles, General Sturdee said the staff was at present too busy organising a new permanent force and the training cadres for a citizen force soon to be reconstituted. The changed conditions, however, had resulted in many of Australia's best barracks . being in places where they were no longer needed such as around the coastal batteries. " 'Monty's' reforms were nothing new to the Australian Regular Forces," said General Sturdee, "with the possible exception of bedside lamps. We had them before the war.''