H. G. NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 24280, 22 August 1942, Page 3

H. G. NOTES

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Tactical Exercises. With the passing of the recruit training stage a unit is ready to undertake tactical exercises. In these the main object is the training of officers and n.c.o.s in handling men in the field, but. it is liy no means the only object. Individual training of the most valuable kind can siill be carried on. It calls for a high degree of initiative on the part of officers, n.c.0.5,, and men if this is to be done effectively. Now, is (lie time to translate theory into practice. .What lias been taught on the parade ground and in the lecture room must be applied in the field. Too often a tactical exercise tends to become boring for the rank and file because they are not kept fully occupied. .The first duty of a soldier is to use his eyes, to observe and tbink for himself. After a march men should be questioned to test their observation of objects on the way—buildings, traffic, woods, sites for ambush, defensive posts, road blocks, etc. When halted men should lie immediately set to study the ground. They ■ should look for dead ground, covered approaches, should estimate ranges and if halted for 10 minutes or more a range card should be prepared. This could be got ready by one man while the rest decide the estimates for the section. Even, over the same ground cii different days variations of light will cause big differences in estimates. At least four such cards from each section should be expected after a day in the open. A suitable job for part, of the intelligence section would be to collect and pass judgment on theseAlong with judging distance and drawing of range cards can be practised the indication and recognition of targets, a most important subject. The next step is to practise fire orders. This requires constant supervision and checking by officers. It is common knowledge that most ammunition fired in battle is wasted. It is useless to fire accurately at the wrong target. Finally no man should be allowed to think that he is out of the “ firing line.” Positions should be sited by and for all, alternative and dummy ones as well. These must be checked and criticised, concealment the first requirement, field of fire next. All-round defence and air defence must be always in mind. The writer saw an afternoon’s “ stunt ” in which one quarter of the troops—a reserve platoon—not “ being in tlie firing line,” stood about in groups with, nothing to do but look on. Imagination and initiative on the part of their commander could have made the afternoon much more interesting and profitable. Guardsmen on Essential Work. Recently the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation sought clarification of the conflicting issues of-overtime in essential industries and training for the Home Guard, Emergency Precautions Services, Emergency Fire Services. A reply lias now been received from tlie Director of National Service (Mr J. S. Hunter) which reveals that Home Guard battalion commanders have been given authority by the Army to grant leave from training or from individual parades to workers who are called upon to perform extensive overtime on essential work. A copy of the letter from Mr Hunter has been received by the secretary of the Dunedin Manufacturers’ Association (Mr F. L. Hitchens), whe stated that the federation advised employers who had difficulties in practice in individual cases to bring them directly to the notice of the Director of National Service for adjustment. The Director’s letter slates that when Home Guard training was made compulsory it was recognised that difficulty would arise over men who were called on to work extensive overtime Tlie whole matter ’was discussed fully with Army Headquarters, and the instruction referred to above was sent out as a consequence. “ While no hard and fast rule has been laid down as to the number of hours which would entitle a worker to exemption from Home Guard parades,” the letter says, “ it is felt that if any genuine cases are properly represented to battalion commanders no difficulty will be experienced in obtaining -.relief from Home Guard training. Tins department has received no individual complaints where leave has 1 been refused after application lias been made to , the battalion commander and where the case is a genuine one.” Commenting on tin's portion of (he ieller, Mr Hitchens said; “ It is not recommended that individuals, .should put their own eases before battalion commanders. Emplovers should make application on behalf cf "their men, or else furnish them with authoritative letters.” The Director’s lei ter continued by expressing the opinion that no difficulty should arise in the case of E.P.S. workers on account: of the limited amount of training involved. Where such training might cc-n----llict -with the performance of essential work he considered no difficulty should be met in obtaining some relief on representations being made to (he proper authority. “ On account cf the extensive training and duty i-equired of members of the Emergency Fire Service some conflict ha* arisen in respect of service in the E.F.S. and performance of essentia! work. By arrangements with the commanding officers of the E.F.S. a large number of men have been exempted from billet duty and the position has been reasonably met in all centres. It is not possible to lay down any hard and fast rule whereby members of the E.F.S. will be exempted from training or billet duty if they are working a certain number of hours overtime in each week, but you may be that individual cases will .bo dealt with sympathetically on their merits,” the letter concludes Lines of Communication No. 29 Company performed lull-day cun voving of Home Guard troops last Sunday, and reports of arrival o* va.rious sectors were forwarded to headquarters by earner pigeons. Those not on convoy on. field instruction on the foreshore m siglning and aiming with rides affixed to inpods, while the signalling section trained further afield The n.c.o. class meets at tin* Drill Hall every Monday evening, and, as more n.c.o.s are to be appointed, tlie coin petition is keen All members can assist in the organising of their company by making every effort to obtain Army driving icenses without delay, and for recoid puiposes to have the dependant s allowance forms completed for handing in at next assembly. The company will not parade till Sunday, August 30, when full-day convoy will be carried out from the Drill Hall at 0730 hours. . , The instructions dated August 21, of which have been posted to all members of Iso. 29 Company are orders to be carried out for all future general alarms as well as company alerts, and must not be destroyed. There was no parade of No. 30 Company last Sunday, though doubtless most of the members were “on duty attending to “ drills ” in their vegetable gardens. The n.c.o. class paraded with No. 29 Company n.c.o.s at the Drill Hall on Monday night, when they were treated to a lecture on rifle care and cleaning, notes being taken so that in turn they would be able.to pass (lie information gained on to other ranks. On Wednesday night the signals class paraded as usual. Considering tlie difficulties they sometimes encounter, these men are making good progress in this important branch of training. Tlie oompanv will assemble to-morrow at the Drill Hall" for a further all-day parade, Usual mess gear is called for, all ranks assembling at 0730 hours. Cargill Battalion. A Company paraded in full strength on Tuesday last for their annual smoke concert. This function had been organised completely bv tlie guardsmen themselves, and arrangements ran with military precision. Visiting officers, as well as all ranks of A Company, commented most favourably on the excellent evening’s entertainment. „ ~ , o Company will hold a full-day parade to-morrow in the vicinity of headquarters. Fail-in will be at 0845 hours at the Northeast Valley Town Hail, and will be followed by a short service conducted by the Rev. N. E. Oaklev, after which the company will move off to Chingford. Full equipment will be worn, and men will provide their own rations and milk. Tca and sugar will be provided. Nearly all tlie men in this company are now uniformed, and attendances lately have been very satisfactory. At the n.c.o.s’ class on Thursday night, officers and n.c.o.s were given a lecturedeinonsfratioii on unarmed combat by a sergeant on leave from a northern camp.

Queensberry rules went by the board, and the class was treated to a highly scientific exposition of the art of defending oneself unarmed, and “ outing ” an armed opponent. After a lucid demonstration of tho tommy gun, the demonstrator was thanked by Captain H. Brown. Flagstaff Battalion. No parade has been called for A, B, and O Companies for to-morrow. D Company will parade at 0830 hours at their headquarters, Green Island, and will spend the day on the sector. Dress: Full marching order, greatcoats, and full mess gear. Burns Battalion. There will, be no week-end working parties. . . II Company will carry out training at Logan Park to-morrow morning only, (be full dav’s -work on the sector having been cancelled. Last. Tuesday’s half-company parade was well attended. Non-commis-sioned officers and a large percentage of the men are very keen. Tommy gun and trench mortar instruction is being well received. H.Q. Company.—The signals section will parade to-morrow at battalion mobilisation point at 0900 hours, parade ending at 12C0 hours.