MOVING TROOPS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20951, 2 November 1939, Page 9

MOVING TROOPS

CHANGE TO PAPAKURA 1000 STILL AT HOPU HOPU RELIEF of congestion Although plans have not definitely been completed, the transfer of troops from the Hopu Hopu military training camp to the Papakura mobilisation camp will probably commence next Tuesday with the moving of the 18th (Auckland) Battalion of the infantry. All the soldiers at present in camp with the exception of the artillery and cavalry units will be transferred, but approximately 1000 troops will remain at Hopu Hopu. The 18th (Auckland) Battalion is to move by special train on Tuesday to Papakura, and it will be followed by the 4th Reserve Motor Transport Company, the headquarters of the 2nd Divisional Engineers, the 6th Field Company and sth Field Park Company of the Engineers, the 2nd New Zealand Divisional Ammunition Company and the 10th Light Aid Detachment. Remaining at Hopu Hopu will be the headquarters of the Divisional Artillery and the 4th Field Regiment of Artillery, and the Divisional Cavalry Regiment. The engineers are to go into camp at Waioruru, where, on the army manoeuvre area, there is plenty oi scope for all the varied equipment which engineers are now called upon to use. They will remain at Waiouru for about a month. Transfer of Troops The transfer of the troops from Hopu Hopu will be a simple task, with the largest proportion of the men travelling by train. The mechanisation of the modern army has eliminated to a great degree the tiresome marching from position to position of the old infantry. On active service motor transport is now used. The transports will proceed to Papakura by road. Congestion at the camp, which has been apparent during the time that upwards of 3000 men have been under canvas in a camp designed to accommodate only about 2000 men, will be overcome with the transfer. Since mobilisation, the artillery has teen unable to engage in anything but elementary training. Owing to the fact that the camp was crowded no manoeuvres of guns could be undertaken, but a much larger area will now be available for the artillery training. MEN FOR TRENTHAM DRAFT FROM WAIKATO Five men from the No. 4 military area have left for Trentham to report for duty with the Divisional Signal Corps, which is under the command of Major S. F. Allen who, until the outbreak of the war, was area officer in Hamilton. The men selected for the posts are all telegraphists from the Post and Telegraph Department. They are: O. H. Coleman, Hamilton; R. N. Green, Pio Pio; R. C. Rosebrough, Te Akau; R. Somerville, Ohaura; F. E. Waters, Te Awamutu.