IN THE ARMY

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20923, 30 September 1939, Page 9

IN THE ARMY

MEN AT HOPU HOPU SPIRIT OF COMRADESHIP HOW SOLDIERS TRAIN FOR WAR i j In the army life is different. Gone j is the laxity of civilian life, but dis- i cipline has its compensations; gone is the 40-hour week, but leisure, j when it comes, is then more appre- j ciated; gone is the humdrum routine ; of the city, but routine is emphas- 1 ised in a different way. None of vis likes the thought of war, but there is something thrilling about the army. A visit to Hopu Hopu camp will immediately impress that upon the , mind. The fellow whom you perhaps did not think much of when you were just one of the millions of “civies” often turns out trumps in a time of ! national sacrifice and universal effort. That is one of the compensations of war and, in this respect, the spirit of the New Zealander is most pronounced. At Hopu Hopu more than 600 men are under canvas at the present time making ready for the main body which will encamp next week. Ask any one of them what the “boys” are like and, without hesitation, he will probably tell you that it’s the finest bunch he has met , in many a year. Officers Highly Regarded In warfare, superior officers are ! often looked upon as a necessary evil. In the Great War men sometimes disliked or even dreaded their “brass hats” and immediate superiors, but it is a different tale to be told at Hopu Hopu. The men, yesterday, spoke very highly of the officers chosen for active service. In all units comment on the officers was of the most appreciative nature. That will be a great help to both men and officers during the course of vigorous training that lies ahead and a factor that should make matters run smoothly during a period of strain. Thus at Hopu Hopu one of the biggest hurdles in the life of the soldier—a feeling of comradeship towards all the superiors has been overcome within the first 24 hours of the camp period. When the main body goes under canvas next week they may expect to find a great type of non-commissioned officer to initiate them into the rigours of wartime military training, because the regard that exists among the n.c.o.’s for their officers, pervades the whole camp as between man and man. 2000 More Men To Come More than 2000 men of the ranks drawn from all over New Zealand will arrive at Hopu Hopu on various days next week. Naturally the task of preparing for them is one of considerable magnitude. When a Waikato Times reporter visited the location yesterday he found the place the scene of intense activity rarely witnessed in the Waikato. In fact to imagine the picture presented in a panoramic view of the camp, one would have to cast one’s memory back to the days of 1913, when the big scale army manoeuvres were staged at Cambridge. The first two days of the routine at Hopu Hopu have consisted of “set-tling-in.” From yesterday afternoon training started in a serious way, and the “non-coms” are now being taught the rudiments of military tactics that will be handed on to the rank and file next week. Men from all walks of life are congregated at the camp. Some of the incidents on the first day demonstrated the lighter side of the whole serious business. Imagine clerks, shop assistants, salesmen, law clerks, and others, pitching tents for the first time in their careers under army conditions which call for method and efficiency. Many a man learnt a valuable lesson in this regard this l week and as speed and efficiency increased, bell tents popped up like mushrooms, so that now more than 200 of them cover over half the extensive area at Hopu Hopu. There are many marquees also. New Methods Of Drill Men are drilling. Even those who have had military experience some years ago find much in the methods that is novel. It is no use falling-in on parade in ranks of two preparing to forming-fours. That is simply not done in the army now. Three deep is the order and marching and manoeuvres are done in that formation. The book of rules which many a schoolboy cadet “swotted” has been considerably changed too, with the result that many men who were once territorial or cadet non-commissioned officers find that they have much to learn before the task of instructing the men commences next week. A wide range of military activities is being undertaken at Hopu Hopu, the only large scale military camp in the Northern Military District at the present time. Several pieces of artillery are arranged at the camp, while Bren carriers and dozens of army tractors can be seen. Soon mechanised units for the transports will arrive at the camp. Speedy Rearmament It is apparent that New Zealand’s rearmament for defence purposes has not been dormant. As an indication of the activity, it could be noted that the units which will be trained at Hopu Hopu are: Divisional Cavalry Regiment (motorised); Headquarters Divisional Artillery, Field Regiment, New Zealand Artillery, Headquarters Divisional Engineers, Field Company, New Zealand Engineers; Field Park Company, New Zealand Engineers; Ist. Rifle Battalion, New Zealand Infantry; Divisional Ammunition Company, New Zealand Army Service Corps; Reserve Mechanical Transport Company (part), New Zealand Army Service Corps. About six o’clock in the morning the men arise, wash and tidy their tents before meeting in the mess for breakfast. After that the task of tidying up the tents is completed and the routine orders of the day’s training are carried out. First Two Days The first two days were occupied mostly with equipping the men with uniforms, equipment and instruction manuals. New rifles have been issued to the infantry. Training started in earnest today, prior to which the men had attended several

lectures by the officers. These lectures on Thursday prevented the men from becoming drenched in the rain. A visitor to the camp will find it an apparent haphazard maze of tents, but all is orderly and carefully arranged. On the right of the main entrance opposite the New Zealand ensign which flies on the flag staff, are the headquarters tents. Beyond that are the marquees forming the officers’ lounges, which are equipped with radio receiving sets. The camp is divided into four blocks. The first contains the infantry battalion, next the Field Regiment of Artillery, then the Divisional | Cavalry and lastly the Field Park Company of Engineers, Divisional Ammunition Company, and the Reserve Motor Transport Company. On j the right of the main thoroughfare ! through the camp are the arrangements for the mess and washing. Three large marquees have been 1 erected by the Y.M.C.A., the Church Army, and the Salvation Army, l which provide the soldiers with ser- | vices and recreation. | A post office and other amenities I all assist to relieve the feeling of a ’ sudden change from civilian to military life. There is a great deal of fun to he had in the army. AMAZING PILE REMEDY Zann Instantly relieves even most stubborn piles. Send 9d stamps for trial treatment. —Zann Ply.. B ox 952 E, Welling-