PROMOTIONS AT THE FRONT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2719, 14 March 1916, Page 6

PROMOTIONS AT THE FRONT

SIR ANDREW RUSSELL TO COMMAND A DIVISION OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS Changes in tlio higher commands in the Now Zealand Expeditionary Force at the front were announced yesterday by the Defence Minister (the Hon. J. Allen).

In the beginning the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, went to the front abuut 8000 strong, under the command oi Major-General Godley. The New Zealand Force was joined with the Australian force to make up the now famous "Anzacs" (the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps), with General Sir "William Birdwood in command, tile New Zealanders being combined with some of the Australians to make up the Australian and New Zealand Division, of which Major-General Godley had command. Later in the history, of the Gailipoli campaign, when General Sir lan Hamilton was recalled, General Birdwood left tlio Anzacs. to take up a higher command, wnicii has never been exactly delined. At any rate, he was one of the three or four Generals who evolved the plan of evacuation. He was succeeded in command of the Anzacs by Major-General Godley, and Brigadier-General Sir Andrew Eussell, commanding the Now Zealand Mounted Brigade, sucneodsd Sir Alexander Godley in command of the composite division. Soon afterwards came the evacuation, and now, wh'ile file troops are carrying on rather less deadly warfare, the effect' o| tho stream of reinforcements is beginning to tell. The forces have risen above establishment, and a New Zealand Division lias been organised. Command of this division has been given to Sir Andrew Russell, who takes tho temporary rank of major-general. General Godley will still remain in command of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force is above the establishstood that the Now Zealand Expeditionary Force is above the establishment for a division in some details, notably in medical services. There is also the base organisation, which is not within the cognisance of a field officer ordinarily. Over the whole force General Godley will retain supreme command. The Defence Minister, re-, ferring to tho matter last night, said that General Godley at present retained the right to approve or to make promotions in the New Zealand division or in other sections of the force. As to what might occur in tho future it was impossible to say anything. Colonel E. W. C. Chaytor takes command of the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade. A few weeks ago it was announced that Colonel Chaytor was to have the Rille Brigade, but he hps now been given the mounted men. It may be mentioned that as a. field officer Colonel Chaytor was always associated with mounted troops. Brigadier-General Erl Johnston retains command of his Infantry Brigade. Lieutenant-Colonel (temporarily Colonel) W. G. Braithwaite, D.5.0., has been appointed to tlie command of the New Zealand v ßifie Brigade. Colonel "raithwaite was an officer of tho Royal Welsh Fusiliers, associated with the New Zealand Forces for a time before the war as Chief of General Godley's Staff.

Major AV. R. Pinwell, D.5.0., lias Been appointed General Staff Officer, First Grade, to succeed Colonel Braithwaite.