OUR FORCE AT THE FRONT.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 March 1917, Page 5

OUR FORCE AT THE FRONT.

NEW BRIGADE FORMED. TO USE SURPLUS MEN By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, March 28. An important statement regarding the New Zealand Expeditionary Force has been made by Sir James Allen to the press. "The War Office was very anxious," said Sir James, "to utilise the New Zealand Division and as many New Zealandtroops as were available for the big push in the summer campaign. They asked us to allow them to put our accumulated reinforcements in England into a brigade. We agreed on the understanding that the new brigade was attached to the New Zealand Division and not used elsewhere and that no reinforcements more than we are now sendin™ be sent from here.

"Owing to the casualties being light during the period of inactivity there are considerable accumulations of reinforcements in England and France. We are not touching the reinforcements in France to make up this brigade. It is being made up entirely of men in England."

[An infantry brigade consists of headquarters and four battalions, or 120 officers and 4023 men. The division contains three brigades, or 003 officers and 1.0,234 men, We therefore now have four brigades at the front instead of three.]

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Wellington, March 27. The formation of an additional brigade of New Zealand infantry at tin: front does not entail any addition to this country's monthly quota of reinforcements. The 'Minister of Defence made that point quite clear when referring to the matter this evening. New Zealand reinforcements have been accumulating in England and France for many months past, and the Imperial authorities, who are anxious to put as many men as possible into the field during the European summer, drew attention to this fact and suggested that an additional unit should be formed. The new brigade will he an auxiliary body, serving with the New Zealand division and capable of being absorbed by it if the rate of wastage makes that course desirable at any time. The brigade will be reinforced when there are men available to Sill gaps in its ranks, but the division will always have tlw first call.

The monthly draft from New Zealand will not be increased at all. Exact figures may not foe mentioned, but it may be said that after forming the new brigad® New Zealand will still have some thousands of men behind the lines to replace losses when the anticipated heavy fighting begins. The Dominion has reason to be proud of the fact that this extra contribution to the fighting forces is possible. It is due to the regular monthly despatch of the full reinforcement, according to the promise originally made to the Imperial authorities.