2019
JOURNAL 2/4 RNZIR
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2/4 RNZIR JOURNAL 2019
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2019
CONTENTS
CO’s message
Page 6
The COMMANDING OFFICER, 2/4 RNZIR, Lieutenant Colonel Kendall Langston, review of the year.
RSM’s report
Page 8
Regimental Sergeant Major WO1 S.M. McClayʼs report.
EX. VELLA LE VELLA
Page 12
The first exercise of the year for Alpha Company.
EX. MELEME
Page 16
Bravo Company’s weekend-long field training exercise designed to develop and test infantry skills from individual to platoon level.
SKILL AT ARMS
Page 22
50 NZ Army Reserve Force soldiers competed in a comprehensive test of their mental and physical abilities near Invercargill.
EX. BERSAMA LIMA
Page 30
Soldiers from 2/4 RNZIR took part in the annual exercise between the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) nations: UK, Australia, Singapore, New Zealand and Malaysia.
EX. POLDERHOLK
Page 32
ANZAC DAY IN GALLIPOLI
Page 38
Bravo company exercises in the snow at Action Valley
SGT Burke had the great privilege of representing the NZ Army in the Catafalque Guard at Gallipoli for ANZAC Day 2019.
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2/4 RNZIR JOURNAL 2019
Our Unit 2nd/4th Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (2/4 RNZIR) is an Army Reserve unit drawing from throughout the entire South Island. The unit was formed in 2012 through the amalgamation of the 2nd Battalion (Canterbury, Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast) RNZIR, and the 4th Battalion (Otago, Southland) RNZIR. It currently comprises two rifle companies – A Coy based in the upper South Island, and B Coy based in the lower South Island. The third rifle company – C Coy – comprises a number of capabilities that support our wider Army and the NZDF. Our primary mission is to provide sustainment and round-out to our supported unit – the regular force 2nd/1st Battalion, RNZIR, based in Burnham Military Camp. 2/4 RNZIR is also tasked with providing support to any local emergency response in the lower South Island.
Our People Our personnel range in age from 18 years upwards. We have phd’s, post graduate and undergraduate qualifications, and we have quite senior qualifications in many trades. We are single, married, in relationships. We have regular civilian employment, part-time employment, no regular employment, paid work, unpaid work, retired, volunteer. We work locally, regionally and even internationally. We play a multitude of sports, but generally in the outdoors, adventurous ones, and are passionate about our national teams in whatever sporting code. We joined for a many reasons, but having joined this team, now strive to participate in and achieve during training which is challenging, progressive and fun. But first and foremost, we are infantry soldiers who are prepared to go into harms way.
Our Community As an Army Reserve unit, we are an integral part of our local communities, and as such, we participate and help out when and where necessary. Assistance with civil defence emergencies, whether it be flooding, fires, or rescuing snow bound motorists. Assistance with youth – Cadets and other youth development or academy schemes. Assistance with our veterans and RSA’s. But our community linkage also goes beyond mere help. It encompasses making our communities stronger just by being there. Stronger because our personnel are self-disciplined, self-starters, positive, committed individuals who know how and have experience in working in teams, often in adverse conditions. Stronger because we know what is right. Stronger because we are to our community as it is to us.
Our Achievements During the year we had personnel deploy on operational tours as either part of the unit or attached to others. In addition, our personnel have assisted on the Aumangea Course, in training establishments in Waiouru and as instructors on various courses. As well as running our own company level week long exercise, we also had pers deploy on major exercises in Malaysia and with 2/1 (our supported unit).
Remembering 2019 saw a reduction in services as the centenary WWI commemorations of the previous few years had passed, however we still had the significant honour of one of our own soldiers being selected to represent the NZDF at Gallipoli. But our past dates back to the 1840s and we are conscious of those that have gone before us. They were the ones who established our Ngati Tumatauenga heritage, both on and off the battle field. We acknowledge all those that have volunteered for, and those that have died in, service of their country. We Will Remember Them.
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2/4 RNZIR JOURNAL 2019
COMMANDING OFFICER The COMMANDING OFFICER, Lieutenant Colonel Kendall Langston, 2/4 RNZIR
2/4 RNZIR Purpose: “Through professional service we belong & deliver Impact”
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019 was busy year for 2/4 RNZIR. The Battalion was committed to supporting the community through a number of Civil Defence incidents and played a full part in operational readiness and support to other units across the Army, especially 2/1 RNZIR. It was a year in which a number of our officers, soldiers and civil staff were acknowledged for achievements and one in which there was considerable change. Early on in the year we welcomed some new RF staff into the unit on the posting cycle and conducted a good induction and planning week. New recruits graduated from basic training and joined their rifle companies and began the cycle of training. Some key highlights of 6
note in no particular order were;
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On 1 July the Battalion joined 1(NZ) Brigade with a formal parade of colours in Linton. • Alpha Company deployed in response to the large wild fires in Nelson over a number of days. • Members of the unit conducted a recce of the West Coast floods checking the bridges washed out at Fox Glacier. • Bravo Company deployed in responded to the Southland floods. • TRADOC (NZ) excellence awards were presented to Major Chris Allan & Cpl Tim Burke. • Bravo Company were part of the NZDF response post the tragic mosque shootings in Christchurch providing a security element at the Dunedin memorial
service. • Alpha Company supported the re-entry to the Pike River Mines on two occasions at key stages of the operation. • Major Chris Allan deployed on operations to UNTSO in the Middle East. • 2/4 RNZIR had more soldiers qualified as efficient and effective than any other year in recent history and this is continuing to grow. • 2/4 RNZIR soldiers deployed to Fiji with 2/1 RNZIR and to Malaysia on Ex Bersama Lima. • More 2/4 RNZIR recruits entered the MODs than any other year over the last decade and more than any other Reserve Battalion after a concerted recruitment effort. • Our team actively competed in the Army Shooting competition. • A large number of our NCO’s and Officers achieved great results on the JNCO, SNCO, Aumangea and Combat Advanced courses. • The Battalion had a change in SWI: WO1 Quigley was posted out and replaced by WO1 Bain. • We welcomed Maj Gerard Peoples back from 2/1 RNZIR posted as OC Alpha Company. • Capt Penny Roy was posted back from 2/1 RNZIR to be the Adjutant. • The unit updated the
strategic plan for the next five years and actively executed key strategic projects through quarterly reviews. • As a unit we stepped up our training and financial controls allowing more efficient training and use of resources. • The 2/4 RNZIR Colours were presented to the Mayor of Christchurch and laid up in the council chambers. • The Battalion supported over 50 ANZAC commemorations & a number of Armistice Day parades across the South Island. This is my last year in command of 2/4 RNZIR and as I prepare to hand over the colours and bid the unit farewell I reflect on whether the unit is in better shape than it was when I assumed command. My role was to lead our people, to train and deliver our outputs and to leave it in a better place. I feel that we have done this. The Command team has been committed, aligned and focussed, we have anticipated and executed change, we have contributed to the wider Army, NZDF and community and we have grown the capacity and capability of our people as well as the numbers filling our ranks.
support, loyalty and hard work they have put in. The training team has been outstanding and our people across the board are what make 2/4 RNZIR the unique unit that it is and has been for well over 175 years. From our Honorary Colonel to all our Officers, NCO’s, soldiers and civilian staff, we are blessed to have motivated people with such diverse backgrounds and skills sets all working to make an impact. Our people are professional, give their time and punch well above their weight. They constantly amaze and impress me. I have been proud to be the Commanding Officer of 2/4 RNZIR and I will miss the people and the unit. Thank you for your service.
Kia kaha, kia maia!
I say “we” because it has been a team effort. I want to thank my Executive Officer and Regimental Sergeant Major in particular for the 7
2/4 RNZIR JOURNAL 2019
REGIMENTAL SERGEANT MAJOR’S REPORT RSM WO1 S.M. McClay Regimental Sergeant Major 2018-2020
MÄ te mahi tahi ka oti pai te kaupapa - Working as one to achieve the (desired) result.
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arly 2020, I see myself reflecting on 2019, what I would describe as another year 2/4 Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment made its mark in the South Island and the New Zealand Defence Force. The start of the year saw the Regular Force posting cycle take effect, with new Cadre Non-Commissioned Officers for Christchurch, Timaru and Dunedin. I would like to thank SGT Wihongi, SGT McCauley and SSGT Manson (released 2018) for their professional service and commitment to the Unit. For the incoming Cadres it was big shoes to fill but as the year progressed your worth was well recognised. A highlight of my job is to be able to influence our newest recruits as they head to their initial training in Waiouru. The Commanding Officer and I had the opportunity to meet and greet our newest soldiers during their training and of course attend their 8
march out. These soldiers are the core of the Unit. They carry on the Unit esprit de corps, mana and history when we are all long gone. To you all, welcome to the Unit. This is also a good time to mention the commitment of our officers, noncommissioned officers and soldiers who give up their time on behalf of the Unit. Without your support and commitment to the various support organisations, we would fail to produce the soldiers we require. I read all the personnel reports from the various supported Units and it is pleasing, but not surprising, to read about the high performance and standards that our instructors display. The next highlight of my job is having the licence to roam, travel and visit training throughout our vast area of operations that is the South Island. We are truly in a good state when it comes to training. The vast experience and knowledge we have across our ranks certainly puts us in
good stead to meet the outputs that are require of us. Once again the commitment that our soldiers show to attend the training truly does amaze me. The attitude and keenest that the Reserve soldier brings is a lesson our Regular Force counterparts could learn from. To all the planners, trainers and soldiers “train well, train hard and always look to do it better”. This year saw a sufficient event take place in Linton mid-year, with the amalgamation of all the Reserve Units with 1 New Zealand Brigade. I believe this is the right fit for the Reserve Force and will better align the Unit with its core business Infantry. This will see better training opportunities and integration with our Regular Force brethren. It will also mean a need to look for opportunities to better improve our infantry skills. 2019 saw our Regimental Colours parading with the rest of the Army and New Zealand Defence Force. Firstly, at the handover parade from Training Army Doctrine and Command to 1 New Zealand Brigade in Linton. Secondly, on Armistice Day with a short ceremony to lay the 2nd Canterbury Nelson Marlborough West Coast Queens and Regimental Colours in the Christchurch City Council building. This was a great opportunity to display our colours and battle honours afforded to the Unit to the City of Christchurch.
The Unit was once again the fore front on the New Zealand Defence Force, fronting a number of high profile activities/events. When it rains in the West Coast it rains, this means flooding. On a number of occasions our assets were used to assist in support of police. The Nelson fires was a great example of how community soldiers step up when their community needed them most. On two occasions, soldiers from the Unit assisted the Pike Mine Recovery Agency, with the re-entry of the mine. To everyone that helped your community I take my hat off to you. Your commitment to leave your own families to help others certainly did not go unnoticed.
Unit. To this day I still believe this. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as your Regimental Sergeant Major and I thank you for all your support during my tenure.
As I write this, in 2020, I have accepted a short notice posting to Papua New Guinea as part of the Defence Partnering Programme and Pacific Reset. On one side I am excited to be given this rear opportunity to represent the New Zealand Defence Force in a foreign country. However, on the other I am saddened not to be able to complete my 3 years as the Regimental Sergeant Major of your Unit. This was my second touch point with this Unit, as I said when I first arrived there is one thing that remains constant - the passion, enthusiasm and commitment of the Reserve Force soldier. Something that very few people will get to experience having not served in a Reserve Force
“ONWARD”
At this point I would like to acknowledge all the Officers and Soldiers of 2/4 Battalion, Royal New Zealand Regiment. If you haven’t notice I have written a lot about commitment, something I strongly believe the Reserve Force is very good at. I wish you all the best in your future endeavours both in the New Zealand Defence Force and your primary occupation whatever that maybe. Kia Kaha, Kia Maia
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THE HONORARY COLONEL
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ia Ora, It is with great pleasure I have the opportunity to write a few words for your Journal. As I visited various activities and watched the members of 2/4 Battalion I was struck by the fact that although generations and societies may change over time, the basic drive to serve does not. Throughout our history young men and women have answered a call to serve. This service has taken many forms, both in martial and community needs. The reasons why we serve in the NZ Army are many and varied but the underlying fact is we choose to serve. Your service requires a sacrifice of your time and your energy. I am aware that you could have chosen to do something else with that time. You may have spent it with family, in sporting or other leisure activities ( or just wasted it). But you didn’t! You chose to serve. That is why there is a quiet admiration for you throughout the community. Parents, children, aunties, uncles, friends, they all have a pride in seeing you in the uniform of this unit. Men and women who have served before you feel a quiet sense of admiration that you have chosen to follow in their footsteps. I don’t know if you have seen it, but there is a painting of the Waiouru railway station showing generations of soldiers walking into the distance. This painting reflects how you are following in the footsteps of those before you, serving in our nation’s 10
COL Greg Hart Army. In the activities and training I have visited over the last year I have been impressed by the enthusiasm and professional attitude of the members of our Unit. I feel a sense of great pride when I see young men and women choosing to undertake the demanding training required to achieve the Unit goals and objectives. I have watched people from all walks of life and backgrounds come together and work hard to develop teams they have pride in. I have been impressed by the young junior NCOs working very hard to constantly improve their leadership and command skills. Likewise with the Junior Officers. There is certainly a very good core of people in 2/4 Battalion. The Command Team have set their goals for the Unit for this coming year. I know they will be challenging. It is with great pleasure that I look forward to visiting as much of this training as possible. I am confident that I will see the same energy and determination from the men and women of our Unit that has been the hallmark of the NZ soldier throughout our history. Ma te wa Greg Hart Honorary Colonel
TRADOC HANDOVER
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n a typically overcast day in Linton, on 29th June 2019, the infantry units of the Army Reserve (including 2/4 RNZIR) were formally handed over from TRADOC to 1 NZ Bde. The formalities consisted of a parade with the colours of all 1 Bde units and of those units being handed over.
went ahead in the afternoon. The day was finished off with a function in the WOs and SNCOs. The symbolism of handing the colours was conducted as a short ceremony within the parade where each colour was blessed, handed to the Commander TRADOC, through the Chief of Army to the Commander 1 Bde before being handed back to the ensign.
As most Army Reserve parades go, extensive rehearsals were conducted in the morning before the real thing
These formalities signified a bigger change however as these units were moved from under a training
formation to an operational one, indicating their importance in integrating with their Regular Force counterparts. As LTCOL Langston stated “it’s one of the most significant changes for the unit [2/4 Bn] because we become a direct frontline formation with access to brigade assets”.
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EX.VELL A L A VELL A
ver the weekend 22 – 24 O February 2019, A Company once again ran Ex Vella La Vella in the
vicinity of Springs Junction. It was a blank firing activity with the aim of conducting section and platoon level exercises in close country as a build up for the upcoming Combined Training Exercise (CTA). After concentrating the Company on Friday night, Saturday saw the section commanders take control. Each took their section through training and rehearsals, the focus being on individual soldier skills before building to section level drills. From Saturday afternoon the sections came together to conduct the platoon level phase. Over the next 22 hours, the platoon conducted a fighting patrol, harbour drill with an ambush off the baseline and a quick attack. Over the course of the exercise, individual skills improved dramatically and command skills were honed. As well as being a solid lead in to the CTA, it helped build some excitement and anticipation for the upcoming unit exercise. 12
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B COY TRAINING WEEKEND
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he first training weekend of 2019 saw a return to the basic’s for 31 soldiers from Bravo Company (Dunedin) 2/4 Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, (RNZIR). Held at Waitati over the weekend of March 8-10. The officer commanding Bravo Company, Major Duncan McEwan of Dunedin, said the two day long training exercise saw the soldiers practicing a variety of core soldiering skills. “It was a return to the basics for these soldiers as we are currently focusing on their fundamental skills at an individual level. 14
“It’s a good thing to go back over these core skills as for the next six months the unit will be refreshing its skills as part of their training program. “We are working on individual and pairs skills as it serves to provide us with a good base for the build up to a close country live firing field exercise we are conducting in October,” he said. Major McEwan said the training included movement in close country as both an individual and in pairs, fundamentals around camouflage and medical training, blank firing in both individual and pairs close
country assaults and observation training. The soldiers from Dunedin, Invercargill and Cromwell, finished the long weekend exercise off with a route march up the Waitati Valley Rd to Pigeon Flat loaded down with all their kit. Private Georgina Keenan, currently studying for a Masters in psychology at Otago University, said it was a good weekend despite the rain and cold experienced. “It was cool being out in the bush, we learned how to assault in pair and we learned how to post grenade, which was fun because we don’t get to do
that often. “It is always nice doing stuff in the bush although the cold wind played havoc on Friday night as the wind was very strong and then it rained enough to make everyone get cold and wet when crawling along through the grass and bush,” she said. On the final day’s route march up Waitati Valley Rd to Pigeon Flat, PTE Keenan said the march up the hill wasn’t too bad. “I was in the front so I set the pace, so it wasn't too bad,” she said. Private Jack Leadley from Invercargill said overall he enjoyed the weekend training.
“It was a good experience as I learnt a lot of new skills such as assaulting in the dense bush there. A marked change for PTE Leadley who has just joined the unit after six months basic training in wide open spaces of Waiouru. “It was much more enjoyable than crawling around in the cold tussock up there,” he said.
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Ex Melame weekend near milton, March 20, 2019
EX MALEME
Fun walking in the sun Fun walking in the sun at Waitati, at Waitati, March 20, 2019 March 20, 2019
repare to assault" screamed the "P training staff sergeant, as four young New Zealand Army Reserve Force soldiers nervously moved forward as a squad to find the ‘enemy’ in the thick pine forests behind Milton at the weekend. Up ahead, Royal New Zealand Navy Reserve volunteers from Dunedin and Queenstown sat quietly behind their prepared positions, eyes straining through the bushes as they looked for any sign the soldiers were coming as they waited to spring the ambush on them. Once the enemy discovered them, or if the soldiers spotted them first, the forests echoed with machine gun and rifle fire and the noise and confusion of battle. The soldiers' goal on spotting the enemy was to remove their ability to fight and to take the ground. Working in teams, they quickly encircled the enemy, disposed of them with practice grenades and firepower, and advanced through the position. At the debriefing immediately following the action, the training NCO reiterated his message to the young men and women laden with webbing, weapons and ammunition, about how A Dunedin soldier scrambles through the undergrowth as he seeks a better position to cover his team-mates.
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they should always think about their survivability out on the battlefield.The 40 soldiers, hailing from Invercargill, Cromwell, and Dunedin, were from the Dunedin-based Bravo Company 2/4 Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment. They were participating in Exercise Maleme, a weekend-long field training exercise designed to develop and test infantry skills from individual to platoon level. Captain Duncan McEwan said the weekend was a success. "We covered a lot of components on infantry training, and the results were excellent. "The soldiers were very enthusiastic and enjoyed the challenges they faced as we learned a lot about what we need to do to prepare for our upcoming major activities." The soldiers undertook numerous activities during the 48-hour period in the forests as they practiced their skills via training scenarios. These included patrolling, assaulting positions, constructing observation posts, laying trip flares, practising their reactions to enemy fire, and learning how to communicate effectively through the noise and confusion of battle. The exercise was part of the unit's preparation for Exercise Ypres, 2/4 Battalion's major exercise for the year later in April. 17
2/4 RNZIR JOURNAL 2019
EX. YPRES
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/4 Ba�alion faces a real challenge to train collabora�vely with our organisa�on being dispersed across the far reaches of the South island from Nelson to Invercargill. The annual combined training ac�vity EXERCISE YPRES in April sought to bring the unit together to test our infantry soldier’s ability to meet directed ba�le tasks. It is a big commitment from our ac�ve reserve personnel who take leave from civilian jobs to come and train in unforgiving condi�ons to hone their infantry tac�cs. However, it is all worth it 18
when a group that is o�en separated can come together quickly to become an effec�ve figh�ng unit. Reconnaissance detachments and figh�ng patrols from the Retuned Armed Movement suppor�ng the Armed Forces of Wellingtoria were opera�ng in the dense na�ve forest in the Ahaura district of the West Coast. Doing their part to secure the AO, platoons from A and B Companies were deployed to clear the area of enemy ac�vity. For 6 days the soldiers keenly navigated and fought
their adversary through demanding terrain and inclement weather. 24 hour opera�ons with limited re-supply required detailed planning and effec�ve leadership to seek out and close with the enemy. Direc�ng staff from Ba�alion Headquarters assessing the soldiers’ ability to fight as an opera�onal unit and provided guidance when required.
Platoon tasks included quick and deliberate a�acks, long overnight ambushes in the driving rain all culmina�ng in a company dawn a�ack on a remote enemy camp. With so many training objec�ves and opportuni�es available to the modern army, choosing to operate for extended periods in the close country provides an
environment where all founda�on soldier skills can be put to the test. Techniques used in this demanding environment can be transferred to many other warfigh�ng domains. With the conven�onal nature of the exercise allowing the unit to establish a training baseline and the ability to iden�fy the shor�alls that can be improved on future ac�vi�es. Prepara�on for this exercise included months of night and weekend training ac�vi�es in local garrison loca�ons. It all
paid off as the soldiers come away with a sense of purpose and comradery that the reserves have to offer. This could not have been achievable without the support from 2/1st Bn Signals Platoon, JHOG and 3CSSB drivers and medics who all were cri�cal in the facilita�on of this successful event. Capt L.C. Lo�us, S7
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B COY SKILLS WEEKEND
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ooking more like cyborgs, solders from Bravo Company 2/4 RNZIR donned night vision equipment and advanced laser sights as they took their training to a higher level over the weekend of 16-18 August. The 18 NZ Army Reserve Force soldiers from Dunedin and Invercargill were exercising in the Tapanui area again as they continued the build-up in their unit’s training in preparation for the 1 Brigade Formation’s skill at arms competition they will be attending in early March next year. Officer Commanding Bravo Company, 2/4 Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (RNZIR) Major Duncan McEwan said it was a very good training weekend as it gave the soldiers a chance to add some more advanced skills to their soldiering skills set. “We focused this activity on more advanced individual skills using more complex equipment and bringing together the lessons from our
previous training activities. “It also gave us the opportunity to test and develop our junior commanders in the various situations they may face at the 1 Brigade’s skill at arms competition next year,” he said. During the weekend at the Tapanui Agriculture Centre the soldiers undertook more advanced counter IED training as they learnt how to identify and remove IED threats, how to handle much more complicated battlefield medical conditions, set up and use state of the art night vision equipment and laser target sights and then learn how to integrate them into their weapon systems and then they brought it all together on the Sunday morning with a section level activity. The soldiers undertook a patrol scenario which exposed the units’ junior commanders to a fast paced evolving situation whereby they had to make quick judgements and put into practice all they had learnt. 21
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Ex.Tu Ngarahu
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ime, energy and pride were on the line as 50 NZ Army Reserve Force soldiers from around the South Island competed in a comprehensive test of their mental and physical abilities near Invercargill on Saturday 13-15th June 2019. Running from each of the 16 different exercises carrying full 40kg packs and weapons the soldiers pushed themselves to the limit as they tested their knowledge on the New Zealand Army weapon systems, navigation, weapon handling skills and much more. Exercise Tu Ngarahu (preparation for war) links to the NZ Army Iwi - Ngati Tumatauenga and this was the second time Bravo Company (Dunedin) 2/4 Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (2/4 RNZIR) had held the skill at arms exercise to test Reserve Force soldiers. Exercise commander Major Duncan McEwan said it allowed them to test the soldiers on a wide range of soldiering skills in a competitive format over a period of 16 hours. “This exercise is a big part of our training year. “It was a short but very intensive
exercise and we were very pleased with the outcome as it showed our training and preparation was better than at last year’s competition. “It’s a great competition as it gives soldiers a sense of pride and achievement in a competitive environment. “As their Officer Commanding of Bravo Company 2/4 RNZIR, I wanted to see how they performed both mentally and physically to the pressures of the competition as they were tested on individual skills, and then collectively in teams as well as how they took and gave commands in different situations,” he said. Held both at the Invercargill Army hall and out at the vacant Oreti Sands Golf Course on Sandy Point, west of Invercargill, the first of three phases of the competition started at 0500am with physical testing. Then followed a series of challenging activities, which confirmed the individual soldier’s skills on the army’s weapon systems, navigation, general knowledge and ability to observe and memorise specific things and locations before facing the electronic shooting range. 23
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The second field phase was held out at Sandy Pt were the three teams of eight soldiers worked their way between six stands covering: vehicle and personnel check points, IED clearance, patrol contact drills, combat medical scenarios, building a sanger and section fire control orders. The stands were scattered around the abandoned golf course, some only a couple of hundred metres apart while others were a good walk away for the tired soldiers carry their packs, weapons and webbing. The complete kit weighted between 30-40 kilos per soldier. There are random kit checks throughout the day where specific items from a big list that they had to carry were checked such as a compass, a pen knife or a biro or a specific clothing item. “The soldiers also had to manage their food and water intake across the day as they carried all their own rations and water as well as an emergency food pack. “If they broke into the emergency rations, they incurred extra penalty points,” said Major McEwan. That took the soldiers through to the late afternoon when they began a forced march in full kit which included crossing through a nearby swamp 24
and small river. But by the end of the walk it still wasn’t finished as the soldiers then faced another battery of assessments covering more weapon systems testing, more electronic range firing, radio comms procedures and putting into action all the things they had had to memorise hours earlier at the start of the day. But then at the end of that phase they found the competition still wasn’t finished as the directing staff then incorporated the post exercise action into the overall competition score and the soldiers had just 90 minutes to refurbish all their used stores, clean all their weapons and reconstitute themselves. “There were a lot of things that needed to be cleaned, checked and stored before the final whistle went. “The goal of the exercise was to push the soldiers mentally and physically, to give them the opportunity to learn about themselves in a balanced but good way,” Major McEwan said. “The skill at arms format It is a very adaptable training exercise because we have to be able to change it on the fly if the weather packs up as it can do down here in Invercargill. “But today the weather was great – not too hot or cold, perfect. But there has to be a winner, and this
year it was the team from Dunedin who won by just one point from the Christchurch based Alpha Company team with the combined Southland and Cromwell team coming home in third place.
“It was so close, after 16 hours and 16 activities it came down to just one point, everyone enjoyed themselves and we are very happy with the outcome,” he
said.. Major McEwan added that one of the extra goals of the weekend was to start the process of selecting a team from within the unit to compete in the annual
NZDF skill at arms competition held in early March 2020. “From these skills based exercises we will select a team
and they will train for the national competition, it’s a great incentive for all the soldiers to do well here,” he said.
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B COY TOP SOLDIER
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arly in September Bravo Coy conducted a one-day con�nua�on skills training at their Tapanui site. The aim was to extend their individual soldier skills in prepara�on for the na�onal skill at arms compe��on. To add an extra element to the day, the training was turned into a top-soldier compe��on. It was a short, sharp and physical ac�vity that was tough despite the short dura�on. The compe��on was topped by PTE Beary, followed closely by PTE Read and LCPL Downie-Melrose.
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EX.DELTA PATROL 19 he purpose of Ex Delta Patrol in T September 2019 was to progress the trained-state of Delta Company 2/1 task elements, particularly 10 Platoon, in a complex terrain environment. This was achieved in such a way that effectively integrated 1 CSR and 2/4 RNZIR training objectives, developed junior command familiarity/interoperability within an operational ISTAR construct, and enhanced the higher commander’s plan by facilitating other 2/1 RNZIR elements in planned training. The build-up training for 1 Platoon Alpha Company started months prior to deploying, with the nature of the territorials we had minimal time to train but used the time to maximum effect. HQ often worked after hours to make sure our soldiers were fully equipped for the jobs they were to undertake alongside our regular force counterparts. Most night parades consisted of close country TTP’s with a focus on patrolling techniques, platoon harbouring and platoon quick attacks. This quickly progressed into practical assessment during some night parades and blank firing training days out at WMTA. The soldiers of 1 platoon, poised ready and postured at HMNZS Pegasus the night prior to deploying, conducted battle prep and snuck in some last minute rest before mounting up at 0500 cam'd up and 28
ready to go. As the platoon commander I deployed to the training area 24 hours prior to the main body and spent the time integrating with 2/1 HQ, conducting TWET type exercises and conducting recon of the platoon A/O. The morning of day one saw 10 platoon Delta and 1 platoon Alpha deploy separately conducting force on force section level training, shaking out any cobwebs and allowing the section commanders to get some time with their sections. At midday the 2 platoons conducted a marry up procedure to giv e the TF and RF soldiers time to integrate
prior to stepping off into combined platoon attacks. During the platoon attack phase of the day, the two platoons amalgamated to into one large 32 man platoon with one 10 man section as enemy party. LT L the 10 platoon commander and I took turns commanding the platoon through platoon quick attacks, switching out one of the sections each time. During which the RF section commanders would shadow their TF counterparts passing on their expert advice to enhance their capabilities. At the end of the day LT L and I headed back to Company HQ for orders while the platoons came under command of SGT T who took them through platoon harbouring. The evening saw more integration with the soldiers of 10 platoon taking 1 platoon through the DMW, a capability not familiar to the territorials so the soldiers loved getting their hands on the weapon system. Post DMW lessons it was time for the soldiers to relax and swap war stories over their gas cookers and reflect on the day’s activities. The soldiers of 1 platoon soaked up all the advice and experience they could from their regular force colleagues, their boosted confidence and skill level was extremely apparent the following morning while conducting jungle lanes and section assaults. Exercise Delta Patrol was overwhelmingly successful by way of 2/4 RNZIR and 2/1 RNZIR
integration, my soldiers gained invaluable experience and skills that could only be learnt by working alongside the regular force, particularly my JNCO’s. We look forward to future combined training exercises to strengthen our bond and expand out training horizon. From myself and the soldiers of 1 Platoon, Alpha Company 2/4RNZIR, thank you for the opportunity to work alongside the professionals from 10 Platoon, Delta Company 2/1RNZIR. LT N-M 1 Platoon Commander, Alpha Company 2/4RNZIR
ONWARD 29
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EX. BERSA MA LIMA
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eptember and October 2019 saw an Army Reserve Platoon and supporting elements head to Malaysia for three weeks in the jungle as the NZDF’s Land Contingent of Exercise Bersama Lima, an annual exercise between the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) nations: UK, Australia, Singapore, New Zealand and Malaysia. The Land Contingent comprised of soldiers and officers from all three Army Reserve Infantry Battalions. PL HQ was led by 2/4. The exercise was the first deployment overseas of a formed body of Reservists (rather than reservists deploying to round out a Regular Force activity) since the end of Operation Rata in the Solomon Islands in 2012. As well as the military value of the training, it was a useful occasion to test and refine our procedures for quickly bringing a group of part-time soldiers to a deployable standard. Once all the boxes were ticked we had the Platoon vaccine(d) up and good to go. We left NZ via Ohakea 30
and had a night in Darwin (Australia). Next day saw us flying to Penang (Malaysia). Over the next week we established ourselves at Butterworth Airbase where we got straight into a busy training programme aimed at ensuring the Platoon would be able to work together at a high level when
the exercise kicked off. As PL Comd I was fortunate that 2/4 has always been eager to get into the bush and therefore had a good idea at the areas we needed to focus on. As well as the necessary rehearsal of Section and Platoon level TTPs, highlights included coming first-equal on the FPDA sports day (buoyed by Kiwis’ instinctive volleyball skills and
a huge effort in the tug-of-war), getting a chance to see a squadron of Eurofighter Typhoon jets up close, a lucky opportunity to jump in on an Australian urban warfare training package and a deafening demonstration of the Army Haka Tu Taua a Tumatauenga. After the week of integration we projected to the training area near
Kuantan. Our time in Kuantan was focused on sharing skills and ensuring that the five FPDA platoons would be able to work cohesively as a Company. We were looking forward to this week with a range of lessons on Close Target Reconnaissance and close country TTPs being run by Jungle Warfare Instructors from UK’s respected 42 Commando Regiment. Other top memories from the week were an introduction to a range of Malaysian weaponry (including a ludicrously sized 25mm anti-materiel rifle) and an afternoon at the survival school we were taught improvised fire-starting, skinning and shared a barbequed python. We then embarked for two days on Singaporean troopship RSS Persistence before landing back to Kuantan where we deployed straight into the bush for a few days of harbouring, platoon fighting patrols and a Company deliberate attack. If you put aside the stinging insects (all platoons suffered a number of hornet strikes) and the heat (which at times reached 40°C+), the Malaysian jungle was similar in many ways to New Zealand native forests. The field phase was a great opportunity to put our learnings into practice and to demonstrate the benefit that the NZ Army gets from keeping close country skills as a fundamental focus of our training – something many partners have moved away from. As there is natural competition between the different countries, I am
proud to say that the NZ Reservist Platoon was on par to the Royal Marine Commandos (who had acclimatised to the jungle in Brunei prior to this exercise) on many aspects. Following the field exercise, FPDA Company transitioned to a short Stability and Support Operation phase. The scenario saw us deploy to a nearby port to conduct a noncombatant evacuation operation and facilitate moving FPDA expats in the region (aptly played by soldiers detached from the Company) onto RSS Persistence for evacuation. There were a few role players, who tried to bull rush the control point rather than wait for processing. Oddly the detention centre was filled to the brim with kiwis who were only too keen to get into a scrap. Overall the exercise was a success as it saw some more complex activities such as the SASO operation mentioned above. A dedicated overseas exercise is a much appreciated step change for the Reserve Battalions which gives us the opportunity to expose our soldiers to working overseas with partners in a military environment and gives our soldiers a goal to work towards. We very much look forwards to sending two platoons in 2020, touch wood, a company plus in 2021. Start saving your leave for October! Onward. 31
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EX. POLDERHOLK
now didn’t deter Reserve Force S soldiers from Bravo Company 2/4 Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, when they undertook a weekend training exercise at Piano Flat in Waikaia near Lumsden earlier in the month. (4-6 October). A total of 27 soldiers from Dunedin Invercargill and Cromwell participated in Exercise Polderholk, a close-country live-fire exercise using live ammunition. The Officer Commanding Bravo Company Major Duncan McEwan said the soldiers were tested across a variety of environments including jungle lanes, and pairs live firing assaults. 32
“They used a mixture of different weapon systems including Glock (pistol), Mars-L and LSW (machine gun). “As a bonus, the soldiers also experienced the brunt of a cold weather front that came in overnight and then they were forced to continue the exercise in the snow and very cold conditions. “Live firing is the epitome of infantry training and the culmination of an extended build up period by the unit. “Overall, despite the cool conditions, I felt the exercise was a very successful training weekend. “The soldiers enjoyed it a lot and we achieved a higher level of output than
we had originally planned which was excellent,” Major McEwan said. A subsequent sequel exercise will be run in May 2020 and will build on the gains made during this live firing exercsie. Private Ben Dobbie, a University of Otago student studying geographical information systems, said it was a good training weekend as he felt it was great to be able to turn the training they have been undertaking in recent months into the practical application of close-country live-firing skills. “Getting to do pairs fire and manoeuvrer drills with live rounds and more made up for waking up on
Saturday morning covered in six inches of snow. “When we arrived down at Waikaia on Friday night, it was nice and dry, but we all woke to six inches of snow and it didn’t stop snowing all day, but it was fun to be out there putting it all into practice,” Pvt Dobbie said. Private Matthew Graham, a track guide, said the highlight of the weekend was being able to coordinate practical applications down range.“I enjoyed the snow, it was a pleasant surprise but then as the day wore on it got muddier and muddier, when the sun came out it just made it worse underfoot but we carried on,” PVT Graham said.
SHOOTING COMP other half zeroed in all of their weapon systems including their iron sights, ACOG & RMR for the second match of the day.
eserve soldiers from 2/4 Bn R comprised of Alpha and Bravo company took part in the NZ Army annual shooting competition in the last week of November OTP 24 – 29 Nov 2019. Soldiers were selected from each unit to represent their colours to prove who the best shooting unit was for 2019. 2/4 Bn objective was obtain new skills involving shooting and weapons drills. They could then bring this knowledge back to their respected units. Day one: consisted of the shooting team being split in two; half the section took on LFTT’s in the morning for the first match while the
Day two: had four matches for the section to take part in. First there was a mystery match that turned out to be Kim’s games ending with a pistol shoot at various rangers, fire position & from barricades. The second was the pistol shoot consisting of firing 3 rounds per stand at each target at different positions. The third match of the day was a section match; the section had to make their way up a hill with extra section stores. Making their way to a prepared firing position, taking out targets up to 600m. With some casualties mounting the section popped smoke and stretcher carried their wounded pers out of the fire fight. The fourth and final match was a night shoot with the Glock 17 Pistol with NVG, shooting at targets between 10 - 25 m. Day three: had two matches that focused on the MARS-L. The first match involved focusing on close range targets while on the move and shooting at targets from a stationary
positions through awkward height firing ports. The second match of the day was a mystery match that consisted of starting in a room blindfold with earmuffs on whilst white noise was being played to throw off the section. The match consisted of long range and close range targets through a variation on firing ports. The section perform well with each soldier hitting a high majority of their targets. Day four: was the final day of the shooting competition which was called the ‘falling plate’. Soldiers started from the 200 m range run down to the 100 m and had to shoot steel plates down with their iron sights. This was a knock out match with 2/4 unfortunately being knocked out of the first round. In conclusion, everyone who took part in the competition enjoyed themselves and were happy to get some rounds down range and put their soldier skills to use. Many of the soldiers highly recommended the shooting team saying they would more than happy to take part in it again.
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n the afternoon of 05 February O 2019 two separate fires, separated by 20km, started in the
NELSON FIRES
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hills west of Brightwater in the Tasman region. These fires quickly established into pine forestry blocks and were able to spread rapidly, fanned by winds in tinder dry
conditions. Despite the response of local firefighters, on 06 February a regional state of emergency was declared. This brought in additional firefighting resources from around the country, including fire crews from the NZDF. Despite these additional resources the fire continued to grow in size and the New Zealand Army was stood up to support in civil defence. The objectives of the mission were to assist Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) and the New Zealand Police in their role to protect life, property and critical infrastructure, and extinguish the fire. The soldiers of 7 Platoon, A Company were stood to on the morning of the 08 February while assets from 3CSSB moved up from Burnham. By midday, LT Friend, WO1 Quigley and WO2 Flack had pushed forward to the CDEM emergency operations centre (EOC); establishing themselves as liaison officers to CDEM and the NZ Police.
Soon the soldiers or 7 Pl were called forward to the EOC to receive a situation brief from NZ Police before assisting them with the evacuation of Wakefield later that evening. 7 Pl, under the command of SGT Edgley, remained in Wakefield overnight. They manned check points and conducted patrols to assist NZ Police in maintaining security of evacuated homes and preventing the unauthorised access of civilians into the evacuated area. This turned into the battle rhythm for the next four nights, with the Army Reserve providing security during the night and Airforce personnel from Woodbourne manning the road blocks during the day. Security patrolling identified numerous pieces of intelligence to both Fire and Emergency New Zealand and NZ Police, identifying unauthorised access into the evacuated zone and persons who had not evacuated. Back at the EOC,
the liaison team provided support to CDEM planning cells for the evacuation of Wai Iti should the fire not be brought under control. The soldiers of 7 Pl, A Coy, 2/4 RNZIR responded rapidly to a CDEM callout and conducted themselves professionally throughout, adding value wherever they served, before handing over the 3CSSB on Monday 11 February 2019. The fire ultimately spread over 2400 hectares, resulting in the evacuation of 3000 people from 182 homes. Remarkably only one house burnt down but an estimated $1-2 million worth of forestry was destroyed. At its peak, 22 helicopters and two fixed wing aircraft were used to fight what ended up becoming New Zealand’s largest aerial firefight on record. The fire was eventually contained and brought under control after 21 days.
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PIKE RIVER REOPENING The Pike River disaster is a recent event in NZ History. A methane explosion resulted in the deaths of 29 mining personnel in 2010. Government agencies have discussed the re-entry into the mine for some time with mixed support from the public. In 2017 the Labour Government established the Pike River Recovery Agency (PRRA) to commence planning for the re-entry into the Pike River mine. On 03 May 2019 PRRA held a reentry ceremony that was to mark the day of manned re-entry into the mine. Due to an unexpected reading of oxygen in the mine, the manned re-entry was delayed. However, the ceremony went ahead regardless as it marked the beginning of re-entry operations. PRRA did conduct manned reentry into the mine on 21 May
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2019. 2/4 RNZIR was requested to provide a team of pers to support the re-entry ceremony on the 03 May. The team provided was responsible for the planning and execution of support for the ceremony. Duties for 2/4 RNZIR personnel included planning logistical manoeuvre with over 16 vehicles involved, organising and delivery of all catering, marshalling duties and driving duties for guests, media and VIPs. These included multiple Members of Parliament including the Prime Minister. 2/4 RNZIR was integrated in a multi-agency team which included the PRRA, NZ Police, St John and Government Protection Services. This was a high profile event with approximately 26 media outlets attending. All 2/4 RNZIR personnel
conducted themselves with the outmost professionalism resulting in the overall success of the ceremony. Due to the flexibility of our people, the supporting troops were able to adjust to multiple situation changes throughout the planning and execution of this activity. Multiple compliments were received from the media, police and the public; including a formal letter of commendation from the PRRA. The public consisted mainly of the families directly involved in the disaster. 2/4 RNZIR can be proud to have been a key player in the successful conduct of this significant event in NZ History. LT A. Toder Pl Comd A Coy, 2/4 RNZIR
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By SGT Burke
ANZAC AT GALLIPOLI
While walking through through Monash Gulley and this was the second headstone SGT Burke saw in Shrapnel Valley Cemetery. PHOTO: SGT TIM BURKE:
SGT Burke performs alongside of Warrant Officer Dave Lark wearing the Nga Tapuwae kahu huruhuru as members of the New Zealand Defence Force perform the haka, He Taua, at the New Zealand Memorial Service at Chunuk Bair on Anzac Day. PHOTO: NZDF
n January 2019 I had the great Irepresent privilege of being selected to the NZ Army in the Catafalque Guard at Gallipoli for ANZAC Day 2019. The Gallipoli Campaign is etched into the collective hearts and minds of not 38
just soldiers but all Kiwis and we have each either actively sought or passively gleaned some understanding of the Campaign through innumerate books, films, documentaries and fourth form social studies projects.
I received one of my most indelible lessons on the Campaign as a young recruit on the floor of KAH, some fifteen years ago from the then raven-haired history student, LCPL N.E. Booth, IC RIT (Recruit Initial Training) Section.
I remember looking at the relief of Chunuk Bair, expertly portrayed through the use of grey blankets and scrim, and listening to the efforts of the Wellington Battalion and the fate of LTCOL Malone. The NZ Contingent comprised the Catafalque Guard, Site Liaison Officers (SLO), combined band, Maori Cultural Group and HQ. Every member had been selected either in recognition of some achievement in 2018 or because they had a special whanau connection with the Peninsula. The RNZN member of the cat guard, ACSS Shaun Jenkins, was the first member of his family to visit the grave of a great uncle who was buried in the cemetery of Hill 60 and one of the SLOs, CPOSTD Nic Irvine’s great-great-greatgrandfather
Climbing out of Anzac Cove, 1915', URL: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/photo/climbing-outof-anzac-cove, (Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 24-Feb-2015
joined the RNZA as a blacksmith in 1914 before being commissioned in the field to Captain on the Peninsula. I was embarrassed by my ignorance when it came to my own connection. My late father had two maternal uncles who went to the Great War, Jack and Bill. Our family had always paid more attention to the younger brother, RFN John Henry (Jack) Finnerty, who was killed in the second battle of Bapaume. We have a very handsome photo of Jack (who looked very much like my father) in his uniform and both my father and his brother Chris have made separate pilgrimages to Jack’s
grave in France. Uncle Chris, a former TF SPR and the family historian had two sons; Jack and Henry. Less was known however about great uncle Bill who was wounded on the Peninsula and survived the War. Our sole surviving family photograph of the Finnerties includes a handwritten note ‘Bill away at War.’ TPR William (Bill) Finnerty was shot in the neck at Gallipoli. Unlike the Canterbury, Auckland and Wellington battalions who went on to Sinai and Palestine (Otago went to the Western Front), and the injured CPL Finnerty remained in Egypt for the remainder of the War.
Bill returned to Southland and died in Lumsden in the 50’s. He kept the bullet that was removed from his neck in a old pill bottle and Dad recalled how as a young boy he would watch and listen to Uncle Bill rattling the bullet around in the bottle for his nephews. With the help of Ms Jane Keig from DPA, before leaving NZ I obtained both Jack and Bill’s service records, and thanks to Ian Davidson, an amateur historian from Invercargill, a couple of photos of the two brothers. The 2019 contingent concentrated in Whenuapai for six days prior to departure, during which we rehearsed our drills, learnt the haka and waiata and generally got to know each other.
Being so fortunate to be selected for such a trip, a moving and meaningful experience, I hadn’t expected to make such strong friendships. The contingent included very high calibre members of the NZDF who live and display our organisation’s ethos and values. The Gallipoli Peninsula is located in the Turkish province of Çanakkale, which take its name from the main city. Auckland to Çanakkale required a 17 hr flight to Dubai, followed by a 6 hr flight to Istanbul, 8 hr bus ride to Eceabat and 45 min ferry across the Dardanelles. This provided ample time to refresh on LTCOL (Retd) 39
2/4 RNZIR JOURNAL 2019 One moment that made me catch a lump in my throat was when I walked through Monash Gulley and this was the first headstone I saw in Shrapnel Valley Cemetery. PHOTO: SGT TIM BURKE:
Christopher Pugsley’s Gallipoli: The New Zealand Story, a copy of which had been given to me by Nick Booth a year previously. Unfortunately, LTCOL Pugsley, who was to have delivered the address at Chunuk Bair on 40
ANZAC Day, was unable to travel with us due to a family requirement. Our first day in Çanakkale allowed for some rest after travel and the opportunity to visit the tourist attractions in the city. We had plain clothed police escorts with us everywhere we went due to
the elevated security concerns for Kiwis in Turkey at the time. I visited a local artist whose main source of income was the watercolours on canvas he painted depicting scenes of the landings at ANZAC Cove he produced for Kiwi and Aussie visitors.
All of the pieces he had on display showed soldiers disembarking ships or landing on the beaches at dawn. I asked if he had painted any in the day because the New Zealanders didn’t land until the afternoon. He told me to come back the following day and the piece he
The entire Peninsula is an urupa. It is treated with deference and respect and artefacts, however tempting. This .303 casing was found on the beach by the Catafalque Guard commander and was returned to its resting place. PHOTO: SGT TIM BURKE:
painted for me now hangs in the Kensington Garrison Club. It’s easy for us as Kiwis to concentrate on the ANZAC efforts in the Gallipoli Campaign and overlook its significance to the Turkish people. The events which took place on this peninsula of the crumbling Ottoman Empire, saw the birth of modern-day Turkey and rise to prominence of Mustafa Kemal, later Kemal Ataturk. Turkey’s national day is 18 March which commemorates the Allied fleet’s attempt, comprising of 18 battleships to sail through the Dardanelles, to capture Constantinople thus forcing the Ottomans out of the war by providing the Russians with egress from the Black Sea out through the Bosphorus. This would expose the Axis to an Eastern front. Allied naval losses to Ottoman artillery and mines caused the Allies to terminate the attempt to force the Straits using naval power which precipitated the land campaign. The words “18 Mart” can be seen everywhere in the region including on landscapes spanning may acres and is also the name of the local university. We spent about three days conducting battlefield tours, under the guidance of Senior Advisor Heritage DPA Matthew Buck and Director Heritage, Commemoration
and Protocol, COL (Retd) John McLeod. COL McLeod has been the stalwart of NZDF’s Gallipoli contributions for some twenty years. A former Commandant of Defence College and author of several military history books, he retired from the Army in 2011 and continued to run a sub 8 minute RFL until late in his career. The battlefield tours were my most anticipated aspect of the trip. I wanted to look at the ground and walk the places I had only seen in photos; familiar names like the Sphinx, Quinn’s Post, Rhododendron Ridge and Plugge’s Plateau. I was surprised by how oddly familiar the whole place seemed. The topography, loamy soil, Rhododendrons (but not actually Rhododendrons) and smell of wild Thyme reminded me of both Central Otago and the Otago Peninsula – the two places I would best describe as home. We also visited every NZ cemetery on the Peninsula and performed waiata and karakia. The NZ cemeteries are truly beautiful – they are located in view of breath-taking vistas and have the feel and layout of an Englishcountry garden. They are quiet and tranquil, an amazing juxtaposition of the carnage
which took place either on the same site or very close by. I gave Booth a running commentary throughout most of the trip. As I walked through Monash Gulley and there were two headstones I saw in Shrapnel Valley Cemetery, that caught me out. No relation to either me or Boothy as far as I can tell but it made the experience feel that much more personal. At the Daisy Patch, now cultivated farmland, I wandered around the sole patch of trees and imagined what it might have been like as a Platoon Sargeant talking to soldiers in the FUP as they looked out across open fields at their objective Krithia, cognisant of the presence of waiting Ottoman machine guns. On Artillery Track I imagined what it might have been like for the Wellington Battalion advancing to contact through dead and dying Aucklanders under strict instruction not to stop and render aid because the stretcher bearers would follow and assume. At Chunuk Bair I was amazed when I looked at the softest of depressions in the ground that the Wellingtons were able to hold it for as long as they did, exposed to machine gun fire from both flanks. The entire Peninsula is an urupa. It is treated with deference and respect and artefacts, however tempting, are 41
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not taken as they form an important part in the archaeological record. At the culmination of our battlefield tours and before commencing the serious business of rehearsing for the Dawn Service, we visited ANZAC Cove. This simple act of touching the water was very moving. We were given permission by the Turkish authorities to take a few stones from the beach. In exchange for this we placed a taonga pounamu in the water. It’s nice to think that there’s a little piece of Aotearoa there, a little piece of home for those who never saw it again.
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We spent three days rehearsing for the two ceremonies; the Dawn Service at the ANZAC commemorative site and the service at Chunuk Bair. The members of the Australian Federal Guard were well practiced and we adjusted our drills to match their SLRs. The Dawn Service is very much Australia’s show and rightly so. The main event for the NZ Contingent was the service at Chunuk Bair. This was the end of our ceremonial commitments and we completed it with a rousing haka. The atmosphere after this is hard to
describe. Not detracting from the respect shown during the commemorations it took on something akin to the picnic the day after a wedding. Our final responsibiliity was to host all of the visitors and coordinate the bus loading on the one way in and out road. The visitors were entertained by the Tri-Service band and the very handsome MC, 2018 Soldier of the Year SGT Jono Bailey. Later I caught up with former Senior Territorial Force Warrant Officer Dave Armstrong and his family and had in my pocket the coin that he had given me ten years earlier.
'Landing boats carrying New Zealand infantry', URL: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/ media/photo/landing-boats-carrying-newzealand-infantry, (Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 30-Jul-2014
There’s no need to explain to other soldiers the way in which we celebrate service after ANZAC Day commemorations. The conversations I had with so many Kiwis in this small place far from home, many of whom had been living in the UK for years, reinforced the pride we have for the uniform we wear and the pride we have for being New Zealanders.
ANZAC DAY AT WANAKA
T
he CO and I had the opportunity to a�end ANZAC Day in Wanaka this year a�er an invite from the president of the Wanaka RSA, MAJ Piercy. I took the opportunity to bring my daughter and granddaughter with me and stayed at the Army Leave Centre for an extended weekend. As experienced all over the country, the crowd grew as the �me drew closer to the Dawn Service. As daylight broke the CO took to the stage as the guest speaker to deliver a speech befi�ng of the occasion. By this �me a large number of young and old had gathered on the fore shore of Lake Wanaka to remember. Following an excellent service was a light breakfast. Wanaka does not have an RSA per say and relies on the use of the town facili�es. The �me came for the second service of the day at the town cenotaph on a hill overlooking the lake. A nice poignant ceremony that I have grown to expect from small town New Zealand. With the
formal ac�vi�es drawing to a close, we ducked into the nearest pub to raise a glass to the fallen. Thank you to MAJ Piercy and his wife for hos�ng the CO at his Bed and Breakfast and taking my family for a ride around Wanaka on their trike motorbikes, certainly a great way to enjoy the fresh air and see the sights. “Lest we forget” RSM WO1 S. McClay 43
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DINING IN t the end of November, leadership A teams from the battalion were joined by some senior members of the NZ Army and selected personnel from within the Unit to the COs strategic planning day. The day's objective was to reflect on whether we had achieved what we have been working towards since the 2016 strategic plan, establish new thinking around our goals as a unit and how we could work towards them in the upcoming years. Overall the day was well received with some new ideas ensuring we continue to adapt to the
Strategic Planning Day and Ba�alion Dinner changing environment the Army Reserves finds itself in. The day concluded with a Officer, WO and SNCO partners dining in formal dinner. Unfortunately, the 1 Bde top brass had to cancel at the last minute but this just made it a slightly less formal and more intimate affair. The end of year dinner was an opportunity to welcome new faces (and some old ones back), farewell those that were moving on from the unit and conduct promotions. A fitting end to another successful year for 2/4.
KAIAPOI RSA CENTENARY fter a busy few years A commemorating the centenary of WW1, 2019 was too a big year for the Kaiapoi RSA with them celebrating 100 years since their incorporation on 28th October 1919. he first weekend of November T was set aside for a series of events to commemorate and celebrate the occasion. A Coy, 2/4 RNZIR was honored to have a small part in this momentous occasion. On the Saturday there was a parade through the town, a group of A Coy soldiers partook and represented the modern army. Dressed in battle kit
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they marched next to restored vehicles and reenactors on horse back, overall portraying the century that the RSA has evolved through. Once at the cenotaph, A Coy stood guard over the large white cross which was refurbished by local Kaiapoi High students in commemoration of the event. Although A Coy was only a small part of this event, it was an honour to be involved. Small town RSAs have been important part of their communities for a long time and we are proud to support them at any opportunity.
Armistice Day in Christchurch
I
N 2019 the Armistice Day commemorations were significantly muted in Christchurch this year. There were plans of a parade, lead by the 2 CNMWC colours, from Cashel Street to the Bridge of Remembrance. Here a ceremony would be held to remember the end of WWI. However the weather had other plans and as the rain poured down the parade was cancelled and the ceremony was shortened. The colours stayed safe and dry inside while the CO represented the Unit. However after this there was another event which was very significant to the Unit and Christchurch City. After the Armistice commemorations 2/4 Battalion, RNIZR, presented the Colours of the 2nd Canterbury and Nelson-Marlborough and West Coast Battalion to the Christchurch City Council. 2 CNMWC Battalion was
granted the freedom of the city of Christchurch through a charter in 1966 and this was passed on to 2/4 Battalion during the amalgamation of the TF Units. Since then 2/4 has maintained a strong relationship with the city and having the unit colours entrusted to the council is another step in solidifying this bond. The Commanding Officer of 2/4, LTCOL Kendal Langston, said “it is nice to have our colours on display to the people of Canterbury and to formally acknowledge our relationship with the City of Christchurch through the 2/4 RNZIR charter of the city.� The 2 CNMWC Colours were presented during a small ceremony and are now displayed to the public in the foyer of the Christchurch City Council building alongside the charter.
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Can you name any of these soldiers taken at the 4O South annual camp circa. 1975?
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