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School of Artillery

Established 1 October 1948 at Waiouru Camp, the School of Artillery is responsible for the advanced technical and tactical training of all RNZA officers and soldiers. Like all other units, the School of Artillery has undergone various reorganisations over the years. It is currently a sub-unit of 16 Fd Regt.

Prior to WW2, New Zealand did not have a training establishment dedicated to artillery. Gunners advanced beyond the basic training they had received (at Army Schools Trentham) by individual effort, and standardisation was achieved at annual RNZA refresher courses. With the outbreak of war, the need for advanced training in artillery became an imperative and the first School of Artillery in New Zealand was established at Fort Dorset in July 1940 to train anti-aircraft and coast artillery gunners. Field artillery training was carried out at Trentham. In April 1942, a separate School of Anti-Aircraft Artillery was established at Melrose, Wellington, and later that year a Field Artillery School was set up at Plimmerton. These Schools were disbanded in February 1944.

Post-war reorganisation saw the establishment of the School at Waiouru in October 1948. Waiouru was selected because the North Island, Field Branch and Anti-tank artillery live shell practice ranges were already there, Waiouru had ample room for manoeuvres, and it would enable cooperation with the Armoured School and other arms.

Chief Instructors

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