TERRITORIAL FORCE

Evening Star, Issue 23698, 4 October 1940, Page 4

TERRITORIAL FORCE

NEW UNITS FORMING THE EXPANSION PROGRAMME ANOTHER BATTALION, SCOTTISH REGIMENT [Special to the ‘ Star.'J WELLINGTON, October 4. New units of the Territorial Force are being formed in accoroance with the expansion programme decided upon some time ago. An announcement to this effect was made to-day by the Minister of .Defence, Mr Jones, who said that steps were also being taken to train officers and n.c.o.s for six new battalions in the three military districts, and also for another battalion of the Scottish Regiment. Opportunity would be given to suitable men who had already undergone training to gain promotion in the new units. The Minister also announced a schema for maintaining the efficiency of, men who had already undergone . intensive training in the Territorial Force. With the completion of camp training this week by the Ist Battalion, Auckland Regiment (C.R.0.), the Isc Battalion. Wellington IRegimcnt (C.W.0.), and the Ist Battalion Canterbury Regiment, the first phase of the intensive scheme of training of the Territorial Force has been completed, said Mr Jones. “ These battalions commenced their intensive training in June. They have now reached a standard of efficiency which will fit them to carry out their war role in. the defence of New Zealand, should they be called upon to do so. In order to maintain the benefit of the training received, it has been decided, subject to review early next year, that the future training programme for the Territorial Force after completion of the period of intensive training shall consist of the equivalent of one day’s training per month, and parades to fire weapon courses; and, in addition, 14 days’ camp training per annum.” Dealing with the expansion programme, the Minister said a start had been made with the formation of some new units. Among others there were to he formed six new battalions of infantry, two in each of the northern and central districts, and one in the southern district. In addition it had been decided to form a second battalion of the Scottish Regiment. The present Scottish Battalion detachments in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin were now in camp. Under the new organisation, detachments in the North Island would form the nucleus of the Ist Battalion, and those in the South Island the nucleus of the 2nd Battalion, Scottish Regiment. “ Steps are now being taken to select, organise, and train officers and non-com missioned officers for these new units,” said the Minister. “ A proportion of the officers and n.c.o.s required are being selected from those units which have already completed their intensive training. This will provide the nucleus of a trained personnel for the new units, and will enable many men who have proved suitable for higher rank to be given promotion. The remaining vacancies will be filled _by officers on the active and reserve lists of the Territorial Force and the National Military Reserve. These officers and n.c.o.s will shortlv commence two months’ training to fit them to take over and train their units. the rank and file for which will be found from the ballotted men ; and their camp trainifig will commence early in January.

“ There are other new units to b# formed in the various arms of the service. and further particulars regarding these will he given at a later_ stage, when the preliminary organisation has been completed.”