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By 1939 mechanisation of field artillery in Britain was virtually complete. However, the artillery of continental armies including those of Germany and Russia remained to a large extent horse-drawn until after World War 2 - despite propaganda to the contrary. As usual New Zealand lagged badly behind Britain in the updating of armed forces' equipment. The last Regular Force equitation course was held late in 1937.
In January 1938 recruits of 14 Wing RNZA were informed that 'as the artillery was now mechanised' they would see no horses - but over four months later were still doing gun drill on horse-drawn equipment and had not seen a gun tractor! When the same recruits were posted to Fort Dorset in June 1938 they were asked whether or not they had attended an equitation course! On replying in the negative they were told, 'Well you're going to do one now!' They then underwent sufficient training to enable them to handle and take care of the horses - which were still the station's sole means (officially at least) of moving field guns. |
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WL Ruffell Issue 82 June 1994 |
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