H.G. NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 24286, 29 August 1942, Page 3

H.G. NOTES

by 1958 —— — 1

Competitive Cup. For interbattalion competition, the group director, Lieutenant-colonel F. B. Adams, Ims presented a silver cup to Group XI. At the last conference of battalion commanders a committee was set up to go into all matters pertaining to intcrbattalion activities, and to determine the exact nature of the competition. Decisions on all matters in respect of which the competition will be conducted are to be reached ami reports furnished at the next conference of battalion commanders. The cup will be simply engraved; “Home Guard, Group XI.; Interbattalion Competition j Presented by Lieutenant-colonel F. B. Adams.” Other details will probably bo added when it is known whether tho cup is to be for annual competition or for ono straight-out contest. Rifle Range at Middlemarch. The Middlemarch Company of the Taieri Battalion had something of a gala day last Saturday, when the new .303 300yds rifle range was officially opened for practice by the group director, Lieutenant-colonel F. B. Adams. Work on tho range has been spread over the past few months, and it lias been enihusiasticallv carried out. Tho range is situated on the property of Mr Tom Carruthers, who has given free use of the ground, and is about two and a half miles from Middlemarch township. It is complete in every detail, including a telephone system. After Colonel Adams had declared tho range open and congratulated the men on their work, Mr Carruthers fired the first round. He was followed by Colonel Adams, Major T. H. Pugh, C.O. Taieri Battalion, Captain T. E. Henshclwood, group adjutant, Captain A. J. Gordon, 0.C., B Company, Green Island Battalion, and Captain H. T. Jones, second in command, Taieri Battalion. Other Army and Home Guard officers present included Captains D. L. E. Davies and L. Bullock; Lieutenant A. G. Tovey, Captain C. H. Bleach (Mosgiel Company, Home Guard), Mr J. McGill (Maniototo Division), and Captain Thomson (Taieri Division). Following the opening, men of the Green Island Company gave a display of trench

mortar firing and guerrilla tactics. The visitors were subsequently entertained at a social evening and dance in the A. and P. Society’s Hall, a thoroughly- enjoyable time being spent. During tho course of the proceedings, Colonel Adams presented the Middlemarch Company with a silver cup for musketry competition among the members, and Mr J. McMaster intimated that he would also present a silver cup for competition on the new range between members of the Home Guard in the Green Island, Mauiototo, and Middlemarch areas. Congratulations.

The Home Guard lias definitely been accepted by the services as “one of us.” In the Otago Services hockey team selected to play Canterbury Services to-day was included B. Bedford, Home Guard. World's Cheapest Army.

A reference to the Home Guard as “ the cheapest army in the world ” was made at a function held in Wellington in honour of the Thorndon unit. The Home Guard, it was stated, had carried out its tasks in the face of difficulties, which were now being reduced, and the value of the work and training which had been carried out was stressed The fact that there would be an important role for the Home Guard in the event of an emergency was mentioned by an Army officer, who expressed his confidence in the ability of the units to carry out the duties allotted them. A great comradeship had been built up from the beginning, and that counted for much in the manner in which the Horne Guard units were carrying on. Peninsula Medical Unit.

At. last week’s parade, Lieutenants A. Aitken and T. Ross, of the Peninsula Company, paid a visit of inspection, when this unit was engaged in carrying out t-he last test of the first series of examinations, dealing with the very importont blood pressure points in arterial bleeding. Diagrams were issued to each Guardsman showing where bone placements were made, and all vital points were marked. The remainder of the time was occupied in practical work dealing with bullet wounds, causing compound fractures with severe arterial haemorrhage. A demonstration was also made with the field ambulance tourniquet, which gives almost instantaneous results. Bayonet

wounds were also “ treated ” and satisfactorily dealt with. At the conclusion of the parade Lieutenant Boss expressed his entire satisfaction at the work carried out, and said he would have much pleasure in reporting to headquarters accordingly. During E.P.S. Trials. Instructions have been issued to E.P.S. organisations to the effect that service vehicles and uniformed personnel (including those of allied forces) must not be held up during trials

Cargill Battalion.! B Company.—Parades have taken "the form of field exercises on whole days and competitive exercises between platoons with rifle -work, etc., in the evenings. Recently the company fired at the rifle range along with units of Headquarters Company, Some fair scores were registered, Lieutenant A. N. Mac Gibbon scoring the possible at one range. C Company’s working party to-morrow will be provided by Nos. 11 and 12 platoons and one section of the mortar platoon, which will in future he known as No. 19 platoon. Rations will be provided by Army and the usual transport arrangements will operate—one truck leaving the railway station at 0830 hrs, North Ground 0835, Gardens 0840, and Company Headquarters at 0845. Because of the inclement weather on Tuesday last the company was given lectures by tho O.C. on ‘Obstructions’ (with lightning sketch act by Lieut. I. Douglas) and ‘ Japanese Tactics,’ both of which proved of great interest. Flagstaff Battalion. All men recently 'posted to the battalion must parade with th-eir companies on Sunday- . , A, B, and C Companies, reserve, signals, and pioneer platoons, will spend a full day on the sector to-morrow. A Company parades at headquarters at 0900 hours; B Company at headquarters, Green Island, at 0830 hours; C Company at headquarters at 0900 hours; and reserve, signals, and pioneer at 0900 hours. Dress for all troops is full marching order, greatcoat, and full mess gear. Lines of Communication.

There was no parade of No. 29 Company last Sunday, but the n.c.o. class assembled on Monday evening to receive instructions in musketry training. To-morrow the company will carry out all-day convoy work from the Drill Hall at 0730 hours; usual mess gear to be brought. No'. 30 Company had an instructive and intensive full-day parade last Sunday, carrying out tactical exercises involving dealing with and disposing of a road block in the morning, and in the afternoon the storming and taking of a defended cimence by a rifle party using the advantage of natural cover. Through the courtesy of a nearby Army camp, whose mess rooms and facilities were placed at the company’s disposal, luncheon was provided under conditions better than at first conceived, the resultant military atmosphere adding to the realistic nature of the day’s operations. The n.c.o. class paraded again last Monday for an interesting lecture on ‘ Aiming Off For Moving Objects,’ and a company parade was held at the Drill Hall on Wednesday night, the drill being of a high standard. A personal assembly plan was introduced, and members are reminded that any change of address must now be immediately notified to the quartermaster. There will be no parade to-morrow, the next company parade being called for 1930 hours on Wednesday, at ■ the Drill Hall, when September assembly petrol chits will be issued. The n.c.o. class will bo held on Monday as usual. ■