H. G. NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 24292, 5 September 1942, Page 3

H. G. NOTES

L Ay 195 S

Discharged Home Guardsmen.

The complaint, that, a Home Guardsman had been discharged from camp with insufficient notice ami that he was withctu a job and in most distressing circumstances, was made last week by Mr W. S. Mac Gibbon, chairman of the Standing Committee of ih’c Canterbury Provincial Patriotic Council (says the ‘Press’). The complaint. Ins been answered in a letter to >lr M-tcGibbon from the Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones), who says that new regulations provide that members of the Home Guard employed tinder special instructions will in future, like members of the regular Array, be granted a period of leave on full pay when they are discharged. This will enable them to find new employment. In certain other cases, the letter states, notwithstanding the number of thoir children, men discharged from Home Guard employment will be ro-em-plcyed or else will be given the period of leave on full pay provided for in the new regulations. A mistake _ bad been made originally, the letter said, in employing the man referred to and several others in similar circumstances on full-time work in (ho Home Guard when he had more than throe dependent children; this was against instructions issued in January last. Mr Jones added that instructions had now been given to re-employ the men concerned. Lines of Communication.

No 29 Company carried out convoy of Home Guard working parties to their respective sectors last Sunday. Those remaining at the Drill Hall received field instruction in sighting and aiming. An interesting lecture was given to the n.c.o.s on Monday evening, and shortly they are to have the opportunity of passing on all information gained to other ranks. For the protection of their own families, men are urged to have the dependent's allowance forms completed and handed into the orderly room as soon as possible. Thci-e will be a half-day parade at Logan Park to-morrow at 0930. hours. No. 30 Company paraded at the Drill Hall last Wednesday night, three new members being attested. On Monday night last the n.c.o. class was given the final of a series of rifle lectures.

To-morrow a full company parade m called for at the Drill Hall to undertake the convoying of Home Guard working parties to their various sectors. Usual mess gear is to be provided, officers and n.c.o.s parading at 0700 hours and other ranks at 0730 hours. The usual n.c.o. class will be held on Monday next at the Drill Hall at 1930 hours. Position of Farmers.

The difficulties of farmers in attending parades of the Home Guard at this time of the year were emphasised at the annual meeting of shareholders of the Oteramika Dairy Factory Company Ltd. It was decided without dissent to ask the Primary Production Council to make representations to the appropriate Government authority to grant dairy farmers who are Home Guardsmen leave of absence from day parades during the months of September, October, November, and December, and to ask that the minimum hours be reduced from 24 to 10 during each of these months. Cargill Battalion,

C Company.—A full-day company parade will be held to-morrow at company headquarters at 0845 hours, when all ranks are expected to attend. Exercises will be carried out within a three-mile radius of company headquarters, and rations will be provided by the Army. Men will provide the usual mess utensils. Duty platoon will be No. 11. The day's exercises will he preceded by a short service conducted by Caplain N.‘ E. Oakley. A library of training pamphlets has been assembled, and n.c.o.s are urged to make, full use of these booklets. Last Sunday’s working party was visited on the sector by the fortress commander, Colonel J. G. Jeffery. Flagstaff Battalion.

A, C, and D Companies will spend a full day on the sector on Sunday, A and C Companies parading at the headquarters at 0900 hours, and D Company at 0830 hours. Full marching order—greatcoats and full mess gear will be carried. Signals and pioneer platoons will also spend the full day on the sector, parading at 0900 hours at the Garrison Hall, Petrol Guards.

The petrol station guards platoon, Cargill Battalion, will parade at 2000 hours on Tuesday next, at the Dunedin Taxis main depot, 229 Moray Place. This parade is to be a combined one with the petrol station guards platoons attached to Flagstaff Battalion, who are to parade as above. A special lecture and demonstration on gases and their application in war is to be given by a local doctor. The petrol station guards attached to the Cargill Battalion are asked to assemble 15 minutes earlier to discuss arrangements for the coming social evening. Recently the Cargill Battalion Platoon ha- undergone musketry training and tired off practice shoots at the rifle range with the Headquarters Company, Cargill Battalion. The results ivere very satisfactory, but could be considerably improved. As most of tho members can only attend m the afternoon on Saturdays, and thus miss the grouping and application firing, arrangements are being made for a Sunday at the range.

Mountain Warfare. Because of the mountainous character of New Zealand many of the lessons learned in East Africa, Abyssinia, and Syria ore applicable to New Zealand. Fighting in mountainous country differs little in punciple from warfare in other types of terrain, but the influence of ground is move pronounced. Observation is of particular importance. Close support is governed almost entirely by what can be seen. Sentries must remember to keep close to the ground and away from ridges, especially at night. Ability to move silently by nmlit can only be gained by constant practice. Maintenance of direction is more than ever difficult, but much can be done by studying the skyline during previous daylight reconnaissance. Remember that the sfyline changes during the last stages t’f the climb, ' Cases frequently occur where motor transport cannot accompany forward units. Training in manhandling weapons, equipment, and supplies over long distances requires practice. Extemporised loads on pack animals will often be necessary, mill all ranks require training in knotting and tying loads. In East Africa the following was found to be a suitable organisation for attack: — The assault was led by grenadiers with bombs as (heir only weapon. They were closely followed by riflemen armed with rifle and bayonet only, and were supported by men with light machine guns. Reserves followed with additional light machine guns and ammunition. Well-trained snipers are of the greatest value in attack and defence. They should be employed on the flanks and allowed to move independently, making full use of ground cover. The Sin mortar and the rifle grenade are tho most valuable supporting weapons in iho last stage of the attack.