THE NEW ZEALAND PERMANENT FORCE

by W.L. Ruffell

WAR CLOUDS, 1939

In 1939 with war clouds gathering, token quantities of field artillery tractors arrived, less than enough for one battery per district. One Anti-Aircraft Cadre NCO had been sent to Australia on a Driving and Maintenance Course, but no Field men. A licence to drive a civilian truck was deemed sufficient qualification to handle a Field Artillery Tractor. Little thought was given to care and maintenance. The driver had to pick that up from the book if he had one.

Several days before war was actually declared the RNZA manned the coastal defences. The Examination Vessels at the four main ports, previously manned by the General Duties Branch, NZ Permanent Force, were taken over by the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. When at 0945 hrs 3 September 1939 (2145 hrs 2 Sep GMT), the liner City of Delhi did not stop when ordered by the Port Examination Vessel Janie Seddon, the Port Dorset Examination Battery fired a warning shot across her bows. It had the desired effect; spectators were astounded that so large a ship could 'heave to' so quickly. This shot was claimed by the RNZA to be the first of the war fired by British forces. The Captain of the City of Delhi subsequently paid for his lapse. In addition to being heavily fined he was ordered to pay for the complete 4-in round expended which in 1939 cost �40 ($80).

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WORLD WAR 2 EQUIPMENT

With the outbreak of World War 2 came a feverish search of museums, RSAs etc for weapons and other stores which might be useful for training purposes, especially gear ex-World War 1, for in 1939 army equipment in New Zealand was entirely of 1914-18 vintage - or earlier!

Even German equipment was utilised. For example a number of machine guns (MG 08/15 pattern) were modified to fire .303-inch ammunition. As the country was short of rifles, all owners of .303-in calibre weapons, whether sporting types or otherwise, had to surrender them to the Police. They were afterwards issued to Home Guard units. The writer's rifle, in new condition when handed in, was returned after the war completely ruined. The Government neither expressed any gratitude for the loan nor offered any compensation for the damage.

With vehicles the situation was worse. In 1939 the only vehicles designed to tow field guns were six Morris field artillery tractors. The following year a number of Marmon-Herrington field artillery tractors were obtained. These were ordinary Ford 30-cwt V8 4 x 4 trucks fitted with trak-grip tyres and seats for the Gunners. In wet weather these unfortunates were showered with muddy water thrown forward by the gun and trailer wheels, as the trucks were completely open in rear.

Quantities of commercial-type vehicles were impressed from civilian sources for the duration, or until military-type replacements were obtained. As these were all 4 x 2 types they were not of much use for cross-country work.

Great excitement prevailed on RNZA Stations with the outbreak of war; with much speculation on what New Zealand's role would be in the coming drama, especially among NCOs and Gunners, for they had no inkling of precisely what part they would be called upon to play. They were soon to know.

The Government decided to send an Expeditionary Force (2NZEF) to fight in the Middle East. It was to be an Infantry Division with supporting artillery of three field regiments, plus an anti-tank and an anti-aircraft (LAA) regiment. As Defence Department resources were insufficient to handle a complete division from the outset, it was to be raised, trained, and despatched overseas in three echelons. Key appointments were as far as possible to be made from regulars.

Although all RNZA signed on for service anywhere in the world when they enlisted, obviously they could not all be sent overseas at once. As in World War 1 some had to stay behind to instruct and administer reinforcements for the division as well as the Territorial Force in Home Defence units. However, in the long run very nearly every RNZA Officer, WO, NCO and Gunner saw active service either in the Middle East, Italy or in the Pacific. Many fought in more than one theatre.

After the war an Independent Field Battery (25 Bty NZA) raised from 9 Bde troops in Italy to form part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force, Japan, was particularly strong in RNZA. These included the BC who was a Gunner in 1938, plus 18 of the 22 WOs and Sergeants.

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PROMOTION DURING WAR

Rapid promotion suddenly became the order of the day among all ranks of the RNZA fortunate enough to be seconded to the Division during its formation. Captains became Lieutenant Colonels overnight, while at the same time Subalterns became BCs, Sergeants became WOs and so on. The tremendous responsibility of creating an efficient fighting machine from raw material for the most part untrained fell largely upon their shoulders. To gauge the success they achieved read the Official History of 2 NZ Divisional Artillery.

Those who were promoted to NZEF rank were given the option of taking NZEF pay for that rank or of remaining on RF rates, whichever were the higher. Most found themselves better off on NZEF rates, particularly married men.

The early commissioning of a number, who, after the war were commissioned in the RF, rewarded exceptional ability among RNZA NCOs and Men seconded to the Division. Opportunities on such a scale would never have occurred in peacetime.

In peacetime a commission was rarely offered to a WO or NCO and even less often accepted unless he had a private income. To illustrate the point, in 1938 the salary of a WO Class 1 was 365 pounds ($730) a year, while that of a Lieutenant was 250 pounds ($500). The Honorary Commission offered a way out; by becoming an Honorary Lieutenant the WO remained on Warrant Officer's rates of pay. For the additional responsibilities he assumed he received the privileges - and incurred the expense - of the Officers' Mess. When he retired the honorary part of his title was dropped; it cost the Department nothing.

Most Warrant Officers who were not seconded to the Division (nearly all were ex-World War 1 men) were commissioned early in the war. In 1941 they were Captains, in 1942 Majors. These ranks were not honorary; they received pay for rank. After the war Officers commissioned from the ranks during hostilities had their commissions 'converted' to Regular Force commissions - with the exception of a few who were ordered to revert to their substantive pre-war NCO ranks. As might be expected the latter resigned from the RNZA.

Now the few NCOs and Gunners who through no fault of their own did not get overseas at all, or who were seconded to a late reinforcement were treated quite differently. They, too, received high-speed promotion, but to acting (unpaid) rank. The writer's case was typical. A T Bdr in 1940, he was promoted to Acting Sergeant, to Acting WO2 in 1941, and Acting WO1 in early 1942. His request to be made at least a Temporary Sergeant, to put him somewhere near on a par with the TF Sergeants over whom he was RSM, was turned down. The reason given was that the 'establishment' would not stand it - when at least half the regular force had been seconded to the Division overseas. Late in.1943 he was finally made a Temporary Staff Sergeant. In other walks of life, such treatment is called exploitation.

Promotion exams were suspended on the outbreak of war, but promotion for NCOs and Men went on (to substantive rank) according to the criteria set down in Regulations for the Military Forces of New Zealand 1927. These stipulated that a man could be promoted to LBdr after three years' service as a Gunner, to Bdr after three years' service as a LBdr, to Sgt after three years service as a Bdr, and so on always provided the establishment permitted. They made no allowance for the man who was above average, nor between a man who had passed University Entrance and between one who had passed only Primary School Proficiency - nor between a man who had seen extensive active service and one who had seen none. The emphasis was on time served - as it had been in Queen Victoria's day.

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RETURN FROM WORLD WAR 2

All RNZA returning to New Zealand after the war were posted back to their pre-war stations. There they rightfully expected to occupy their old quarters, and resume their peacetime duties and status as regular soldiers. What they found was not exactly encouraging.

For instance, on the Wellington station (Fort Dorset) the RNZA barracks had been handed over to the NZWRAAC. Instead of returning to their comfortable pre-war quarters, RNZA marching in from 2NZEF were ordered into tin-hut dormitories of World War 1 vintage.

Officers who had been commissioned in the NZEF or in the TF, or Temporary Staff (TS) in New Zealand who had been permitted to retain their commissions, were now in charge. Men who had held Warrant or Senior NCO rank in the NZEF had to revert to their substantive RF ranks. Bearing in mind the 1927 Regulations that still governed the Permanent Force, they generally accepted the position. But other factors disturbed them.

While during the war civilian rates of pay at levels roughly comparable to those in the services had increased, Army pay had not. In 1945 regular soldiers were still on 1939 rates. Although the Government had promised to make adjustments, by the end of 1946 they had not done so. Many soon resigned, taking valuable soldier experience with them.

As in the past some were attracted to the Police Force, Transport, or other Government Departments or industries which offered better pay and prospects for advancement. For example a substantive Sergeant in 1946 received 280 pounds a year while a Police recruit received 357.

The 'last straw' for others came when they were informed that the retiring age had been reduced from 55 to 45, notwithstanding that when they enlisted they were promised re-engagement to 55 after satisfactorily completing five years' service. Few were happy with the thought of having to look for a new job at 45 - before their superannuation was enough to live on. They felt the Army had betrayed them.

Those who had already completed five years' service and signed on to the age of 55 were made to sign fresh re-enlistment papers. The originals were torn from their personal files and destroyed. If they objected they were threatened with the sack.

To add insult to injury the authorities seemed bent on reducing the status of Warrant Officers and NCOs. Prior to the war WOs and Staff Sergeants were permitted service dress uniforms similar to those worn by Officers. Now, with the exception of badges of rank, they were ordered to wear the same as private soldiers, ie the shapeless wartime battledress. Officers, however were permitted all pre-war orders of dress.

The blue dress uniforms, issued with such a fanfare in 1939 but withdrawn on the outbreak of war, were never re-issued - although Royal Artillery WOs and Sgts received similar uniforms in 1950.

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