A parade of tanks

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 413, 19 November 1991, Page 3

A parade of tanks

BY

JO

HOWIE

Members of the Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps and veterans celebrated Cambrai to mark the 74th anniversary of the Battle of Cambrai on the weekend. lst Armoured Group in Waiouru hosted the weekend's activities, which are celebrated annually as the Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps day. The significance of Cambrai is to commemorate the first mass use of tanks in battle in 1917, when over 400 tanks were first used successfully at Cambrai in France during World War One. The Battle of Cambrai demonstrated the power of armoured fighting vehicles in War. The effectiveness was evident during Cambrai of what the new 'teeth' arm could do when used in numbers with other more conventional battle forces. Here, tanks were accepted as a decisive fighting force. During the weekend everyone could look back on the history, the traditions and spirit of the Armoured Corps founded by the soldiers of the Cavalry Regiments who fought in the Maori Wars, the Mounted Rifle Regiments who represented New Zealand in South Africa, World War One, and the Armoured Regiments of World War Two. Also present for the celebrations were 46

veterans from lst New Zealand Army T ank Brigade. This was the last reunion for these veterans to celebrate the RNZAC 50th anniversary. The lst New Zealand Tank Brigade was formed in 1941. Seventy-three soldiers from Divisional Calvary Regiment retumed to New Zealand to form an Armoured Training School at, Waiouru. They trained 450 officers and other ranks who became the nucleus of the lst NZ Army Tank Brigade. The veterans in Waiouru this weekend recalled many stories during the days of training in Waiouru. They were accommodated in the 8-man rooms in the barracks, and ate in the 800-man mess. The programme for the weekend started on Friday afternoon with a Beating of the Retreat ceremony outside the Army Training Group flag station by soldiers from Queen Alexandra Squadron. On Friday night lst Armoured Group held a 'happy hour' - an informal function where Major Tony Connell welcomed everyone. After supper there was a recital of the Ode to Fallen Comrades. On Saturday morning at 10am the Cambrai Mounted Parade began at Helwan Camp. The parade consisted of armoured personnel carriers from Waikato, West

Coast Squadron, Scorpions from Queen Alexandra Squadron and vehicles from Quarter Master Troop, Workshops, Headquarters, and School of Armour. The reviewing officer for the parade was the Chief of General Staff (CGS) Major General Bruce Meldrum who inspected all vehicles as they rolled past. General Meldrum then awarded the CGS Commendation to Corporal PJZ Prendergast for his commendable leadership qualities at the scene of the accident when Sergeant Timtimu tragically died last year. After awarding his commendation, General Meldrum then addressed the parade. He recounted some of his experiences as an armoured officer from his 31 years of service. He recalled the many difficulties he had as an armoured comman-

der trying to maintain armoured vehicles sometimes with little success. When put into perspective he stated similar problems of today are nothing new. He also complimented lst Armoured Group on a well executed parade. During the afternoon families of 1 Armoured Group were invited to play games and tabloid sports. An all-ranks cabaret was held that night. The last organised activity for the weekend Was a memorial church service on Sunday morning. During the service was the unveiling of the name of Sergeant HA Timtimu, with his family present. Wreaths were laid by the veterans and members of Sgt Timtimu's family. Brigadier Mawson, Colonel Commandant of RNZAC addressed the service.