MECHANISED FORCES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 April 1938, Page 9

MECHANISED FORCES

NEW ZEALAND MOTORISED TROOPS UNIT VISITING MASTERTON TOMORROW. CHANGES IN RECENT YEARS. Change and progress in the organisation, equipment and tactics of armed forces have been continuous throughout the ages. Much of this has been brought about by the invention of new weapons, but it could fairly be said that the internal combustion engine has caused greater reorganisation and tactical development than any previous invention that has been applied to military needs. It was inevitable, with the supercession of the horse by the motor, that the internal combustion engine would be the basis of future army transport, and for a period of years much experimental training has been carried out in this direction. The use of motor vehicles on lines of communication, for supply purposes and as big columns for the concentration of troops in rearward areas, was well exemplified during the Great War. It is, however, in the development of the mechanised vehicle for the use of fighting troops that the greatest advance has been made in the development of the mechanised vehicle for the use of ghting troops that the greatest advance has been made in late years. Armoured fighting vehicle for the use of fighting troops car and armoured machine-gun carrier are now accepted as normal equipment for a modern fighting force; but these alone do not increase the mobility of the Army as a whole, dependent as this is on the pace of its slowest component. Increased mobility for the individual fighting soldier is needed and it is in this realm that the latest developments have taken place. Famous cavalry regiments such as the Scots Greys, the Queen’s Bays and others have been completely mechanised. Infantry battalions have had portions permanently mechanised with provision for extra troop carrying vehicles to be available as required. Principles and methods of fighting remain unchanged, but motorisation with its increased speed and wider radius of action 'means increased mobility. In line with this modern development, a motorised regiment of Mounted Rifles has been organised in New Zealand, and the Manawatu Mounted Rifles has been'incorporated in it as “B” Squadron, 4th N.Z.M.R. (Motorised).

The function of motorised mounted rifles includes the seizing and holding of tactical features of defiles ahead of or on the flank of an advancing force, and in New Zealand may also include a hurried move to oppose an enemy landing. “B” Squadron of the Motorised Regiment went into camp at the Ashhurst racecourse on March 30. The training carried out was in line with its possible role in war, and had particular reference to the defence of New Zealand. The Squadron, when fully equipped and up to strength, is a fast-moving, striking force with considerable fire-power, and includes sections of motor cyclist light machine guns, a troop of heavy machine guns, two troops each containing three sections of light machine guns, together with wireless equipment, anti-aircraft equipment, etc. The troops not on motor cycles or in light cars, are carried in specially constructed lorries of a similar design to those used in the Regular forces of Great Britain. The main exercise carried out during the camp period, had as its object, the practice of tactical exercises, reconnaissance, intercommunication and the gaining of experience of long moves by billetting, traffic control, road discipline, etc. It entails a trek of approximately 500 miles, during which troops will billet at Levin, Trentham, Masterton, Weber, Napier and Dannevirke. The Squadron will also visit Wellington.

Thas is the story behind the exercise. The Empire is at war, and the enemy have gained temporary command of the sea in the Pacific. A mixed force of which the Motorised Squadron is a part, is concentrated in the Palmerston North District, the Squadron being billetted at the Ashhurst racecourse. The Wellington Regiment, and Artillery, have manned the defences of the Wellington Fortress area, and an enemy force is endeavouring to land at Island Bay and Lyall Bay. On April 3, coastal reconnaissance planes report an enemy convoy approaching Plimmerton, and the force at Palmerston North prepares to move south to oppose the anticipated landing. The Motorised Squadron is sent in advance and left Ashhurst at about 1 p.m. on April 3. A stop will be made at Levin, where troops will billet for the night This, of course, would not be done in actual warfare. The move will be continued on the morning of April 4 and thereafter the Squadron will act as in war. A few miles north of Waikanae, a wireless will be received by the wireless sets with the Squadron, to the effect that the enemy have succeeded in landing, and now control the main road south of Paekakariki. Thus is .set foi, the Squadron a problem that they might meet in war. How it will act in view of this development will be brought out in actual exercise, and the solution will largely depend on the wise use of its mobility. It is anticipated that the experienced gained during the training period will be of immense value. The times are approximate, depending to a certain extent on the time taken to carry out various exercises en route.