The New Zealand Gunner Official Journal of The Royal New Zealand Artillery Association (Inc) Founded 1934 Issue # 145 March 2010

JOHN MASTERS STORY Following the publication of John Master's book, 'A Bridge Over', Hank Emery and I have been quietly working to see if it was possible to facilitate a meeting of John and Hariprasad Gurung, the ex Gurkha Sergeant Major whose life he saved in Borneo in an extraordinary display of courage which led to John being awarded an Immediate Military Cross. Some have opined the award should have been a Victoria Cross. In addition to the MC John was made an honorary member of the Simoor Club (the Gurkha Regimental Association). This was only the fourth such award in 150 years and John is one of only two still alive today. The John Masters story is of course much more than that encompassing his time as the last commander of 161 Bty in Vietnam; his Court appearance for CSM Hariprasad Gurung (ex Gurkha) and 'disturbing the peace' when, under orders he paraded the Lt Col (Rtd) John Masters, RNZA Bty down Queen Street as part of an official 'Welcome Home'; his part in the fight to achieve recognition of the John’s account of what he did which resulted in fact the Vietnam Vets were exposed to Agent Orange him being awarded the Military Cross starts on Page 7 and his role is the resolution process; his achievement in the raising of a seven figure sum for the rebuilding of the Rannerdale Veterans Home in Christchurch and more. INDEX I can advise that what started out as a relatively modest initiative has ballooned into a full scale 'John Last Post Masters - This is Your Life' type TV documentary to be John Valintine Page 2 screened on Maori TV as one of their icon programmes Alan (Crafty) Boyd Page 3 on ANZAC Day (approx 4pm). MTV is established as Col Comdt Reports Page 5 the lead broadcaster for ANZAC Day coverage. It is the CO 16 Fd Regt Reports Page 5 one day when our TV is tuned exclusively to Lt Col Nick Gillard Reports In Page 6 MTV. They do it with sensitivity and style. New Members Page 6 The programme interviewer is Judy Bailey whom Immediate MC Page 7 many of you will recall from her TV1 days. She has The Battery Guide Page 8 been the anchor person for MTV ANZAC Day coverage Mobilization Procedures 1904 Page 9 for a number of years. Gunners Backward Compatibility Page 10 The programme will feature the reunion between Notice Board Page 11 John and Hariprasad whom we have brought out from Behind the Lines Page 12 Nepal for the programme along with an ex QGO (Queens Gurkha Officer) as his 'minder'. While much of the programme was shot at John Distribution of The NZ Gunner electronically. Masters home, the reunion sequence took place at the Papanui RSA on Wednesday 17 February and was To save costs and to meet the needs of our members preceded by a formal Powhiri. I have no doubt it was we are about to be able to send your copy of The an emotional occasion and so it should have NZ Gunner to you electronically. If you wish to been. Many veterans, especially those from Malaya, take advantage of this service please advise the Borneo and Vietnam attended. Secretary (Tony McLeod) of your wish and your This is a special tribute to a man whose life up to date email address by email: should serve as an inspiration to all New Zealanders . [email protected] Article supplied by Ross Miller 2. LAST POST 1949 brought the Edward John VALINTINE introduction of universal conscription for 18 year olds – OBE, ED, ADC, 17 May CMT – and John was very 1929 - 8 December 2009 disappointed (as he was then 20) not to have been balloted. So it was John Valintine, The Gunner off to Knox St to enlist as a (Note: This eulogy was written volunteer. His first visit was to the primarily for what was a non office of the 1 st Armoured military occasion) Regiment, but was told they were I was honoured a couple of not accepting volunteers at that months ago when John asked me if stage. However it was suggested I would speak at his funeral of his that he speak with Major Nolan, second family – the Royal who was in the process of raising a Regiment of New Zealand gunner regiment. John duly Artillery. (The RNZA). Now I am presented himself for an interview – shocked that it has happened so presided over by a number of soon. WW2 veterans – and from the wide John was just so proud to be ranging questions asked had the then endorsed it for heavy trade, a gunner, and he was a gunner impression that they were looking and John confidently drove the extraordinaire in all ways but one – for a Major General rather than a GMC back to Hamilton with a full unlike most of us he was not deaf! gun number! He must have load of gunners in the back. John served as a Territorial impressed as in 1950 he joined 4 John quickly worked up Force gunner from the private Medium Regiment, at that stage through the ranks and became a gun soldier level (Gunner) to the rank of equipped with 6in howitzers, left sergeant - the commander of a gun Brigadier (a 1 star General over guns from WW1. with at detachment of 10 men – and equivalent), the highest rank a In 1951 4 Mdm Regt was then started cross training in peacetime TF soldier could achieve, equipped with the up to date WW2 command post duties. In 1952 he and after his retirement from the designed 5.5in medium gun, and was selected for officer training and active army he was appointed this became John’s love along with joined an officer cadet training unit. Colonel Commandant of the Royal the men who manned them and the Buck (John’s Brother in Regiment of New Zealand Matador gun tractors that hauled Law, who delivered the first Artillery. This is an honorary them. There were parades every obituary) has spoken of John’s appointment, and it is as one of his Thursday night at Knox St, monthly delight in being part of the 1952 successors in this appointment that weekend camps at Hopuhopu, and Coronation Contingent. It almost I speak to you today. yearly annual camps at either Tihoi didn’t come about. At this stage John chose not to have a or Waiouru where they would live John was a Sergeant, about to be nd military funeral – he could have fire their guns. commissioned as a 2 Lieutenant. had, had he so chosen – but you An anecdote from that and the coronation requirement was will note the military accoutrements time – during the 1950s apart from for private ranked soldiers. on his casket. The New Zealand the few vehicles held by the However the then commander of Ensign; his medals, including the Regiment there was a requirement the Northern Military District, Brig OBE, the ED with a number of bars to pick up additional vehicles from Walter McKinnon, a good gunner, and the medal struck for the the stores depot at Sylvia Park in allowed John to revert to the rank coronation of our present Queen; Auckland. John was tasked to pick of acting gunner for the period of the Lemon Squeezer with the up an ex US Army GMC, drive it to the deployment. So it was off to RNZA badge that he wore at that Hopuhopu, load it with ammunition Sydney on the HMNZS Black coronation; and his artillery sword. and deliver the said vehicle and its Prince and on to UK on the These are all very meaningful to load to Tihoi. John had never Australian aircraft carrier, HMAS those of us who wear the military driven a heavy trade vehicle before Sydney. John took part in the street uniform. however he happily but with some lining on coronation day, and later John’s first involvement anxious moments drove to Tihoi, completed a 24 hr guard duty at with the military was as a school without being able to find Buckingham Palace. cadet at Hamilton High. He reached overdrive, and safely delivered the John was commissioned as a nd the rank of Cadet Sergeant when in ammunition. The Regimental 2 Lieutenant on his return from th the 5 Form in 1946, and also Transport Sergeant at that time was UK, and a number of his fellow attended his first camp at a traffic officer with the Hamilton officers of this period are here with Hopuhopu in the same year. It was City Council – “Bombardier, have us today. the following year when, still as a you a heavy traffic licence?” “No Well, John worked his way school cadet, he had his first Sergeant” “Well you should have up through the ranks and experience with the guns – live if you can drive that truck all this appointments. In 1964 he became firing 6 Pdr anti-tanks guns out to way. Give me your licence” He the Battery Commander of 4 Mdm sea just north of Raglan.

Muzzle Flashes .blogspot.com 2 We depend on you for items of interest Check in daily to keep up to date Send them to the Editor or with the staff in a command post. until quite recently. There remain He was always conscious of our only two originals of the Regt. Regimental history and traditions, He sailed from Wellington and guarded them to the utmost. with the 2 nd Echelon of 2NZEF on Buck has spoken of his 2 May 1940, along with 6828 other launch, the Connie V , and I well men on four merchantships, bound recall many joyful ‘Coastal for the Middle East. While in the Artillery Study Weekends out on Indian Ocean, the by now seven the Hauraki Gulf. A number of us troopship and three warship would gather at Westhaven on the convoy, having been joined by Friday afternoon and spend two Australian troopships, was diverted very convivial days exploring and to the UK for the defence of Britain socialising before returning to during the forthcoming Battle of normality on the Sunday afternoon. Britain. The convoy sailed via John was an active member Capetown, Sierra Leone and into of the Hamilton Officers’ Club, the the Irish Sea where torpedoes fired Auckland Artillery Officers’ Mess, at them missed, docking in and was the TF member of the Greenock at about the time of Bty, this was when I first got to advisory committee for the recent Dunkirk, and reaching Aldershot on know him, and he held this publication of our gunner history. 18 June 1940. After a short period appointment for four years. He was I have messages of sympathy from training, the Regt deployed to the a most conscientious BC and could the Chief of Army, Major General south Coast to defend the UK, be found at the Battery lines at Rhys Jones, who is represented equipped with 8 French 75mm Hopuhopu most weekends. At this here today by Colonel John guns – big iron wheeled monsters. stage the Bty was still equipped Broadley, and from the CO and all There were neither range tables nor with the 5.5in gun, with the 4.2in ranks of 16 Fd Regt. gun sights, so they constructed gun mortar as a backup weapon. 1967 To some gunnery is a sights from match sticks! Not sure brought the appointment of 2IC 16 mysterious art. One of our how. The 75mms were formed into Fd Regt, becoming CO as a predecessors wrote:` ”The art is like two batteries, with the rest of the Lieutenant Colonel in 1969. John’s a circle without end, or like to a Regt becoming infantry, penny- first staff appointment was as labyrinth, where a man being well packeted around Kent with long GSO1 Field Force Command, after entered in, knoweth not how to get bayonets and rifles – early on with which he was promoted to Colonel out again”. one rifle to five men and a machine and became the Deputy John didn’t know how to get gun per 20. Commander of our then premier out. He treasured his gunner family In early November 1940 operational formation the 1 st and links. Thank you John for your when the threat went, the Regt Infantry Brigade. service - to the NZ Army and to the returned to Aldershot, got 25prs In December 1977 the then Royal Regiment of New Zealand and went back to gunner things. Chief of General Staff (the head of Artillery. Farewell now fellow The Regt embarked for Egypt on 17 the Army) invited John to become gunner, comrade in arms, dedicated December from Liverpool, arriving his TF Advisor in the rank of soldier, dear friend. 16 February 1941 to make the Brigadier. This is the senior TF Graham Birch, Brigadier (Rtd) Divisional Artillery complete for appointment and required John to Colonel Commandant RNZA the first time. represent the entire TF. He In early March the Regt travelled widely and also attended ALAN (CRAFTY) BOYD , 5 embarked for Greece with the bulk monthly meetings of the CGS’s Fd Regt, WW11, 16 Fd Regt, of 2 NZ Div, arriving in Piraeus the Advisory Board. John retired from Korea, on 15 February 2010, at port for Athens, then driving hard the active army in 1979, but Auckland, in his 92nd year for the northern Greek border. renewed his association with the Germany invaded on 6 April. Alan Regiment as our Colonel Alan Boyd Seventy Years a described Greece as hard fighting Commandant from 1981 to 1985. Gunner . with lots of shooting as they were John was very much a Alan Boyd joined the RNZA driven south by the Germans. The people person, and a traditionalist. in January 1940, four months after Regt destroyed their guns north of He quickly came to learn the names war was declared. He died in Athens and went out over small of those he came across, and February 2010. A Christchurch beaches around the city. In the remembered aspects of their lives man, Alan had worked there for a lottery that was delivery to Crete or that he would follow up on later WWI gunner and asked to join the Alexandria or left behind in Greece, contact. He related well with all Corps on his enlistment. Trained in Alan got Egypt. Only 25% of the ranks, and was never more Hopuhopu Camp in the Waikato, Regt went straight to Egypt. comfortable than having a brew Alan was one of the originals of 5 They had no gear at all – so with a gun detachment under a Fd Regt – and was the Secretary of plenty of gun drill and deployment camouflage net on a gun position, the 5 Fd Regt Assoc for 26 years, drills but without guns.

Muzzle Flashes .blogspot.com 3 We depend on you for items of interest Check in daily to keep up to date Send them to the Editor Alan then saw lots of Waiouru), I think with his brother, action in the Western Desert. The or a close regimental mate. first and second Crusader battles, He returned to Europe Minqar Qaim, Bel Hamad, with the 12 th Echelon just after Ruweisat Ridge where a battery Casino. As one of the very few from the Regt was decimated. 23 rd experienced men, Alan was rotated Battalion and 27 Battery took Fort across the guns in the Regiment to Capuzzo in a copybook surprise train the new men – almost all gun- attack, with the guns not requiring line gunners. He talked of the 20 to fire a shot! The Battery then year old Ron Hassett getting a supported the Maori Battalion in serious baptism of fire on his very the capture of Sollum. There was first day in the line with a battery – also plenty of ambushing of the describing him as not at all happy Bardia Road and in the Hellfire about it! Pass area by infantry and guns, and Now move to Korea and guns on their own. At one stage 16 Field Regiment. Alan describes against 25 Battalion. In Italy the during the very fluid fighting Kapyong as “pretty exciting times”. teams went straight from the line to Alan’s battery was cut off by the His battery was with the Argyles on the game and back to the line, Germans for three days – wouldn’t the 38 th parallel. The Chinese had sometimes not even changing after have suited Alan with neither food broken through and they had to get the game until back with the Regt. nor water. out of it in a “big hurry”. They He was selected for the Kiwi During Minqar Qaim, 21 moved back seven miles very trials – that great post-War rugby and 27 Batteries were sent a long rapidly and then again to the team that toured Europe. way forward to relieve a British outskirts of Seoul. In Auckland he played for Regt and support the Brits. When Alan’s later service was as Ponsonby seniors for three or four they got there the Brits had gone – a trainer, using his very detailed years in the late 40s – and he was the Batteries were promptly and war developed knowledge of well remembered by a past club attacked in the open desert by 18 guns and gunners. He was with the president at his memorial service. Dorniers – I recall Alan saying training battery preparing gunners Alan was also with Manurewa club there were 58 killed. After the for Korea. He completed a Master in its very early days where he Minqar Qaim breakout by 2 NZ Gunners course at Larkhill in the played and coached. Div Alan’s Battery spent quite mid-fifties. He was Master Gunner Alan married Emma, a some time by itself looking for the at the School in Waiouru where wartime nurse, in April 1946 in Division, such was the fluidity of most of the readers will remember Auckland. They had one son, the battle. him. He personally taught a large Murray. Murray has six children Alan also talked of the number of our officers (and NCOs) and there are lots of great Cauldron and the Kaponga Box – their gunnery immediately after grandchildren and great great grand both with lots of “mixed fighting”, they were commissioned and before children, most of whom were and plenty of shoot-and-scoot gun heading out to Korea or Vietnam. present during his last days. actions at troop level. During one of His last two years were at Fort He married Elsie towards these Blackie Burns was captured. Cautley as RSM. the end of 1968. 5 Fd Regt returned to El Alemain After WWII Alan joined Alan was an exceedingly and the battles there – “shooting all Marshall Pre-Cast as a maintenance independent man and a huge day and all night”. Alan was carpenter in Auckland – he had a influence on the RNZA in the 50s impressed by the new 8 th Army, its hand in the Otahuhu Post Office and 60s. He was a true friend to all cohesion and activity. and the little Church at Matakana. gunners. He lived a long and Before the Western Desert He moved onto NZ Marble wonderful life, mostly in the campaigns, the Regt had driven to Company as a marble polisher, and service of his country - and serving Baalbek in Syria through Gaza, the then joined K Force to go to Korea. the guns for 70 years and one Dead Sea, and Damascus to the After his final stint in the month. He was the last living Baalbek Valley which they set Army Alan was with NZ Forest WWII gunner who had joined the about fortifying. After the German Products for 11 years with the Regular Force – one of a line of threat from the North quickly wallboard operation in Penrose as great New Zealand gunners. He abated Alan returned to Heliopolis the Admin Manager. He “played was the last of a couple of before the Div went back into and lost” on the share market in the generations, the like of which we action to bolster a faltering 8th mid 80s, and retired to Green Bay will not see again – he was an Army. and New Lynn. adventurer – what Shakespeare At the completion of the Alan was a very good would call “a staunch and true Western Desert Alan came home to rugby player. He played for his man”. NZ on furlough, spending most of Regt in Africa and Italy – a pretty his time in Taihape (where he must mean loose forward – including the Eulogy presented by have developed an early liking for final of the Freyberg Cup in Italy Lt Col (Rtd) Barry Dreyer, RNZA

Muzzle Flashes .blogspot.com 4 We depend on you for items of interest Check in daily to keep up to date Send them to the Editor 3. REPORT BY raised), a Sig Sect and 63 LAD. 4. REPORT BY The Col Comdt The Regt was equipped with CO 16 th Field Regiment sixteen 25 Pdr and its establishment Brig (Rtd) Graham Birch. was for 31 officers and 498 other Lt Col Matt Boggs The last 6 months have ranks. With the threat of invasion been an eventful period for 16 th 39 Mor Bty RNZA over it was reduced to a small cadre th Field Regiment, seeing the return of The 9 of December 2009 staff in June 1943 and was Task Group Gyro 6, several major was a red letter day for the RNZA. disbanded in Jun 1944. field exercises, a short notice We raised a new RF Battery, 39 deployment to form Task Group Mortar Battery, as part of 16 Field The 15 th Hy Bty NZA Efficiency Gyro 8, the reformation of 163 Regiment. The Battery has taken Cup Battery and the standing up of the over the infantry 81mm mortars and Again those of you who NZ Army’s newest sub-unit, 39 is manned by both artillery and attended the AGM last year may Mortar Battery. All of this activity infantry officers and other ranks. recall that Colin Jansen presented th has presented an array of challenges The BC is Major Matt Ottaway the Association with the 15 Hy to the Regiment, but having RNZA. The Battery’s Bty NZA Efficiency Cup, a piece of successfully met these we are now nomenclature, 39 Mor Bty, re- Regimental silver that Colin had postured better than ever to be able establishes the title of a Bty that rescued from a junk shop. This to meet our current and any future was first raised during 2 NZ presentation was well coved in the commitments. Division’s service in Italy during last newsletter. Kapyong Battery, having World War II, and is significant as The origin of the cup is somewhat been reinforced by the return of this earlier Bty was formed to obscure. It was not initially a Task Group Gyro 6, carried out replace the 4.2in mortar units that gunner trophy. It was first Exercise Quad Enjoyable in early had been part of the divisional presented about 1905 by the September 2009. This exercise was infantry battalions. The original 39 citizens of Petone to a Petone in support of several courses being Bty was formed from elements of boating club for cutter races. It was th run by the School of Artillery over the 7 Anti Tank Regiment and was only presented in 1905 and 1906 this period. The aim of these established in April 1944. This is before mysteriously reappearing in courses was to enhance the skills of well covered in the 2 NZ Divisional 1922 as the 15 Bty Efficiency Cup. our senior Gunners and Junior Non- Artillery Official War History, It was then presented reasonably Commissioned Officers in order for pages 590/2. The title 39 Mor Bty regularly through to 1939 to the them to further progress within the therefore provides both a linkage to most efficient section of 15 Bty. It RNZA and contribute to the a historical wartime artillery unit could be that there was an Regiment. and to the infantry from which that association between the Petone Exercise Quad Enjoyable unit originated. boating club and No 6 NZ Garrison was run over a period of 2 weeks in The Bty is domiciled in Burnham Artillery Volunteers (The Petone the Waiouru Training Area. The and is housed in Burns Lines, Navals), a volunteer artillery unit exercise tested the skills of named after Brig Blackie Burns. that existed from 1879 until it was Kapyong Battery and the students absorbed into No 3 Coy NZ in all aspects of gunnery. It was a The 20 Fd Regt 25 Pdr Cartridge Garrison Artillery (NZGA) in 1908, difficult exercise for all with the Case but this is only surmise. notorious weather of Waiouru Those of you who attended What we do know is that in 1921 bringing us snow in the first week the reunion last year may recall that No3 Coy, NZGA was redesignated and scorching hot temperatures the the Association was presented with 15 (Coast) Bty, NZA, next. a brass 25 Pdr cartridge case headquartered at Fort Dorset. 15 The exercise culminated in a engraved as having been fired by Bty was equipped with two 6in BL direct-fire shoot allowing the 20 Fd Regt at Waimate North in the Mk7 Coastal Artillery guns. Bay of Islands during World War students and many brand new II. 20 Fd Regt was raised in early gunners to see the effects of the 1942 as the direct support Regiment L119 Light Gun first-hand. The of 12 Infantry Brigade, which in students performed well on the turn was one of the two Brigades of exercise and would then go on to 1 NZ Division. This Division was fill new roles utilising their raised to defend the Northern newfound skills. Military District (basically a line While some rest may have from New Plymouth to East Cape been in order for the Regiment, this north) from possible Japanese was not to be the case. Upon our invasion). 12 Bde was return to Linton we discovered that t h headquartered at Whangarei. The 16 Field Regiment was 20 Fd Regt Order of Battle was, in 15 Bty NZA 6in BL Coastal responsible for forming the bulk of addition to the RHQ, 15 Fd Bty, Defence guns at Fort Dorset 1939 the upcoming Task Group Gyro 8 128 Fd Bty, 129 Fd Bty (never to Timor Leste and that Pre- Deployment Training was to begin

Muzzle Flashes .blogspot.com 5 We depend on you for items of interest Check in daily to keep up to date Send them to the Editor the following week. This group which will enhance our capabilities There are three main events with was to be commanded by Major in every respect. The introduction successive services at Polygon Kendall Peacock and would have of this system will allow us as Wood, Messines Ridge and Ypres only eight weeks to train before Gunners to be prepared for any task (Menin Gate). I also get further being deployed to East Timor in required of us in the contemporary afield attending various NATO late November. environment. conferences and working groups Their build-up training saw Lt Col Matt Boggs, around Europe as the NZ the whole regiment get behind CO 16 Fd Regt, RNZA representative. Having participated them, with many personnel who in Exercise Long Look 1995, had only just returned from East 5. Lt Col Nick Gillard deployed to Bosnia with 4 and 40 Timor mentoring those who would reports in from London: Regiment's Royal Artillery in soon carry the same After a high tempo three 1997 and attended UK Staff responsibilities. years spread between command of College during 2001-03, the UK The Task Group is currently 16 Fd Regt and Chief of Staff of and the British Army are very in East Timor carrying out their the New Zealand Provincial familiar. Learning the ropes and duties and will remain until May Reconstruction Team in Bamyan fitting in has been a simple process 2010. Province, Afghanistan, I now find for me and my family. October 2009 saw the newly myself in the somewhat more However, the unusually cold reformed 163 Battery head south leisurely post of Military Adviser winter, traffic, commuting, beer, for Exercise Black Templar, which London. Whilst the post is both awful rugby and obsession with was touted as being “bigger than busy and varied it is certainly poles football take a small amount of Ben-Hur”. This proved to be no apart from the previous three years. getting used to. Although only exaggeration as the exercise saw all My wife is certainly grateful for three months into the posting I arms within the New Zealand that. have quickly appreciated what a Army as well as the Air Force The basic function is to privilege it is to be here and the carrying out combined-arms live form a conduit between the NZDF unique opportunities it presents. training in the Tekapo Training and the British Army and wider December 2012 seems a Area. Working with other units UK MOD. I have a role in long way off and we intend to proved challenging, but ultimately enhancing that relationship in a make the most of the opportunity. 163 Battery came away with a variety of areas such as capability, Gunners and St Barbara's Day will good performance on the exercise operations, doctrine, logistics and present the chance to meet more of and the experience necessary to ceremonial activities. We are a the Royal Artillery family and I further aid us in cooperating with small team of five uniformed and will keep you informed. those who need our support. 12 civilian staff headed by Brig I hope this note finds you all The major event of the end Phil Gibbons. We are based at New well and enjoying the Autumn. of the year was the formation of 39 Zealand House on Haymarket Spring has finally arrived here. Mortar Battery based in Burnham which sits halfway between Military Camp. 39 Mortar Battery Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Nick Gillard. Lt Col, RNZA, consists of both RNZA and RNZIR Square. Military Advisor , London personnel who have come together Thus far I have visited the to enhance the Mortar Capability of Royal School of Artillery Larkhill the New Zealand Army. This sub- to catch up with our RNZA 6. NEW MEMBERS unit will be based in Burnham in nd st exchange officer, Captain Gareth order to provide support to 2 /1 Miller. He is posted to 34 Battery, Battalion, RNZIR. The standing up GLACKIN, John Russell. John 14 Regiment, Royal Artillery as an served the guns between 1966 and of 39 Mortar Battery saw most of FST commander (what we used to the Regiment make its way down 1972. He was commissioned into call an FOO) although he also has a the TF and posted to 32 Bty for this for a parade which was attended by training function. He has also been the Chief of Army, Colonel period. Between 1972 and 2002 he able to complete the IG course. was a secondary school teacher. Commandant and the Regimental Gareth has just returned from a Colonel. In 2010 39 Mortar Battery John is currently a guide at the battlefield tour of Gallipoli where RNZN Naval Museum at will be busy training and he was able to present the ANZAC conducting a number of combined- Devonport. John has an interest in perspective to his British military history which has lead to arms exercises in the South Island. colleagues. The year 2010 so far has the publication in 2009 of “In th In addition I am also Defence of our Land”, a tour of seen 16 Field Regiment preparing accredited to Belgium as the to undertake new challenges. Most NZ’s historic harbour fortifications. Defence Advisor. This has a He has been co-opted to the of the regiment is preparing for similar although much lower key upcoming exercises over the winter Assn committee to assist with the role to the UK. The primary compiling of the Assn’s history. months. The largest challenge function is a ceremonial one and I facing 16 th Field Regiment will be He and Margaret live on the will be attending ANZAC Day North Shore. the successful implementation of services in Flanders this year. IFPS, a new fire control system

Muzzle Flashes .blogspot.com 6 We depend on you for items of interest Check in daily to keep up to date Send them to the Editor 7. IMMEDIATE MC – of August, the Company sprang a the two previous patrols and the The John Masters Story very well planned ambush onset of scrub typhus among some Taken from the book “Kiwi accounting for eight Indonesian soldiers after being bitten by Gunners in War and Peace” by soldiers. all KIA. This was mites. They were, however, the Mike Subritzky followed by a second successful soldiers who had been to that area company-sized patrol with Captain twice before. From the mid-sixties of Chris Bullock where a further As the river was in flood the last century, the British Army, twenty-seven Indonesians soldiers Chris Bullock judged that the some 50,000 strong and including were killed with the loss of a single Indonesians would probably make Australian and NZ battalions, was Gurkha. the journey on foot. The area was involved in combating General In his book of his memoirs, recced on the first day, after a Sukarno of Indonesia, and his published thirty years later in 1995, walk-in of four days. Early the grandiose plans for much of South Chris Bullock (now Rtd Brigadier) following morning, the ambush East Asia. In the Borneo First has a comment about John Masters was laid covering a well-used track Division, British Infantry battalions on that patrol that John particularly running parallel to the river so that operated against the Indonesian treasures. both the track and the river formed lines of communications. They “After the battle and quick the killing ground. were mainly pre-emptive strikes check that everybody was present (Thursday, 2 September known as “Claret” operations, and we moved off the hill and back to 1965) Chris Bullock was forward were politically deniable. Their our base in the swamp. Can amongst his men and had purpose was to wrest the initiative remember intense irritation as established a checkpoint 20 metres from the Indonesians who had had John Masters, our Artillery Officer, to the rear through which all of the early successes with terrorist slowly retrieved his drying socks killing group were to move once attacks on Borneo and Sarawak. and laced up his jungle boots. As the ambush had been sprung and On the 26 June 1965, the 2 nd we moved off, he readjusted his the order to withdraw had been Battalion, King Edward VII’s Own guns to fire on the hill we had just given. Located at the checkpoint Gurkha’s took over the Lundu Area vacated. A few minutes later, the were John Masters the Forward of Operations in Borneo relieving Indonesian attack went in on the Observer, Acting CSM Hariprasad the 1 st Argyll and Sutherland now empty hilltop with what Gurung, a radio operator and the Highlanders. In Direct Support of seemed like at least a platoon. As company medic. Each of John’s the Gurkha’s was a New Zealander, they reached the top, the first RA Driver Ops were a casualty of Captain John Masters, Troop 105mm shell crumped in above up the earlier patrols, and the scrub Commander, who was to act as an on the heights”. typhus mites. He had a Gurkha Artillery Forward Observer. He Gurkha jungle patrols rifleman to carry his fire orders net had originally been seconded from averaged 14 days against the radio. the NZ Army to 29 th (Corunna) normal 7 day patrols of Brit and To the right flank and near Battery, 4 Light Regiment, Royal Australian infantry battalions. After the river lay the bren gunner, Artillery, and had been in Borneo the second patrol returned to base, Rifleman Ramparasad Pun and for some six months patrolling with it was decided that a seven day members of the Recce Platoon. the Argylls and 3RAR. break was in order and John was SAS intelligence was impressive, The Lundu AO was very looking forward to catching up on accurate and timely. It was flat terrain, intersected by large a mountain of Troop administration Rifleman Pun who first sighted a meandering jungle rivers, with that had been quietly gathering dust group of Indonesians moving into occasional rocky outcrops rising while he was out on operations. the ambush area and they appeared straight up out of the thick primary Almost immediately to be arriving in depth. With great jungle. The whole of the AO was Brigade informed the Gurkha’s that courage Rifleman Pun held his fire also prone to flooding at the very as a result of their activities during until there was some twenty-five first hint of rain. the last two patrols in the AO, the enemy soldiers in the killing area The actual border with the Indonesians were moving a and their lead scout was almost on Indonesian province of Kalimantan reenforcement company into the top of him. He then initated the was little more than a line drawn area. ambush with a long and murderous on an old Dutch map, and both the Following deep penetration burst of automatic fire killing Indonesians and the British often patrol reports from Sergeant-Major instantly the lead scout and three took advantage of this situation Lawerence Smith, SAS, Captain other enemy close behind. explaining away any concerns as Chris Bullock was back in Immediately all hell broke simply “Map reading errors; command of a very reduced loose. The Indonesians (who were sorry”. Support Company, totalling aout in fact a reinforced Compnay) On his first operation with 60 men. 45 of these were to be stung by the initial surprise, reacted the Gurkha’s, John accompanied used in the upcoming ambush, and instantly. With great courage they Captain Surendraman Gurung who the remainder kept in reserve at a attacked the ambush group in an was temporarily in command of rear recce position about 2 clicks attempt to overwhelm the Support Company, and on the 2 nd away. The Company was in such a numerically inferior ambushers (40 depleted state due to the rigours of in number). Screaming and firing

Muzzle Flashes .blogspot.com 7 We depend on you for items of interest Check in daily to keep up to date Send them to the Editor from the hip, they attempted to periods. The battery strength cutting two of three warrant roll over the right flank. The was around 150 personnel and officers in a battery would Anti Tank Platoon, which made even included about six men cause considerable muttering up the left flank, engaged the designated as LMG/Local and discontent within the ranks enemy, shooting from the prone defence numbers, there were and came up with the concept position and, in less also three warrant officers, a of the Battery Guide (BG); than a minute, had accounted Battery Sergeant-Major (BSM) there was also the need to have for a further twelve enemy. and two Troop Sergeant-Majors someone to carry out the duties Again the Indonesians (TSM). In this era of shiny and of the TSM’s during quickly regrouped and launched slippery toilet paper and brown deployment. There was a a second attack but this was linoleum the gunners were suggestion that the BG could be broken up when Lance content with this organization, graded as a Staff Sergeant, Corporal Birbahadur Pun it was based on war experience, fortunately that idea was detonated a bank of Claymore it worked well. It even survived discarded and the rank of mines into the onrushing the Korean War in the early Warrant Officer Class II was Indonesians, and that attack 1950’s. retained for the appointment. In faltered. As well, individual By about 1960 a form of broad terms the BG Gurkhas threw M26 grenades peace existed, at least as far as accompanied and assisted the into the confusion causing the gunners were concerned, Gun Position Officer (GPO) further enemy casualties. The non-skid toilet paper and floor during the reconnaissance of a Indonesians were still firing carpets were starting to appear, new gun position. He then wildly, and 20 metres back at Army Orders were replaced by returned to the gun battery, the Check Point, the crack and mighty tomes called briefed the appropriate thump of incoming small arms Regulations and Standing personnel and guided them onto fire seemed to be everywhere. Orders (R&SOs) and almost the new gun position. Being an After his first “Contact, Wait, every time something untoward experienced soldier the BG Out”, John Masters had radioed occurred these R&SOs were would then retire from sight a full set of Fire Orders, with a amended or extended to prevent and attempt to avoid human hold on the final command to a re-occurrence and to ensure contact, these actions were fire. the right people were able to quickly noted and when the The Gurkha’s, to a man, protect their backsides. A great tome, R&SO Vol 2 was remained in position and each period of enlightenment was consulted it was found the time the Indonesians reformed upon us! A thing called the “Warrant Officers Class II may and attacked, the Gurkha’s Penthropic Division was be called upon to carry out the waited until the enemy were conceived. I consulted my duties of a subaltern officer”. A right on top of them and then Oxford Dictionary to find: pen, useful provision that allowed cut them down with outstanding a female swan; thropic, turning the Orderly Officers roster to be fire control. ………... towards.!! What it actually packed out and personnel and To be continued in the meant in the overall context guided them onto the new gun next issue of The NZ Gunner was a mystery to we lowly position. Being an experienced junior NCOs at that time. It was soldier the BG would then 8. THE BATTERY however quite clear that early retire from sight and attempt to GUIDE (BG) - A versions of “bean counters” avoid human contact, these personal view were involved actions were quickly noted and A field battery was now when the great tome, R&SO Back in the early 1940’s to consist of six guns with a Vol 2 was consulted it was there was a great big war that capability to split to two, three found the “Warrant Officers ran for about six years and the gun sections for limited periods Class II may be called upon to armed forces learnt lots and lots of time. The total number of carry out the duties of a of things through hard and personnel was around 125 and subaltern officer”. A useful sometimes bitter experience. with the move away from two provision that allowed the The field artillery found that the self contained troops two Orderly Officers roster to be best organization for it’s guns TSM’s were without gainful packed out and for BGs (and was an eight gun battery split employment and unwanted, as BSMs) to be rostered as duty into two four gun troops that were a few others, the savings officer in the command post were self contained and could in equipment are fairly (CP). exist as an effective fire power apparent. This in fact was not a bad unit away from Bty HQ and the Someone, somewhere move as the RNZA tended to other troop for extended had the nous to realize that have WO’s who were of a

Muzzle Flashes .blogspot.com 8 We depend on you for items of interest Check in daily to keep up to date Send them to the Editor Regimental bent and others who deployed at a fire support base were more technically inclined, (FSB) he would return to Nui Mobilization Signals many of the BG’s came from Dat. This attitude made for good The signal to mobilize will be as the command post trades. By relations between the BSM and follows: the time of the Vietnam war BG and enabled the BG to By day: A red flag surmounted various BG’s had placed their control the discipline of the gun by a pennant will be hoisted on stamp on the appointment and line without having to worry the flagstaff on the Public performed the duties according about undermining the BSM, library, Wellesley Street, their experience A number of not all of the BSM’s were as Auckland. Three guns will be the BG’s came from School of punctilious as Jack. The BG was fired in rapid succession from Artillery staff where they had often the Battery Captains (BK) Albert Park. been training battery surveyors understudy for local defence By night: Two red lights will be and young officers and there and many entertaining hours hoisted on the Public Library was an expectation that these were spent using the guns in flagstaff and three rockets will personnel would be a sort of that roll with various be fired at one minute intervals technical expert who would combinations of ammunition, from Albert Park. The firing unobtrusively continue to charge and elevation being signals will be repeated at North extend guidance and education tried. HE or WP fuzed M565, Head. to the subalterns and others, this charge 3, with a fuze setting of guidance sometimes took place 2.0 The following will be the in the privacy of the ammo and a QE of 120mils was most procedure on Mobilization. dump. It was rather surprising spectacular, it did give rise to a some of the technical items that bit of grizzling and complaining The order “Mobilize” will be were presented for explanation, from the other occupants of a received by the OC Permanent clarification or direction to a FSB but seemed to have the Forces, who will issue orders to BG, often the dark recesses of desired effect as no one the Permanent Force, also to the the memory had to searched. bothered us close up. The odd No 1 Coy, No 8 Coy and No 9 This was an important and deployment as an OP added Coy, Garrison Artillery satisfying aspect of the BG’s further variety to the BG’s life. Volunteers. The No 1 Coy and job, there were the inevitable The appointment of BG during No 8 Coy GACs will assemble personality clashes, although the Vietnam era was a at the Drill Hall, Auckland and relatively few, but in general challenging yet satisfying time, after being medically inspected there was a good feeling and a it allowed the practical will be ferried to North Shore mutual respect between the BG application of skills learnt over (or proceed by route march to and the young officers. This many years, it often allowed one the forts on the South side of the extended to a mutual confidence to observe the performance of harbour (Fort Bastion), there to where it was deserved and on a personnel into whose training be stationed). couple of occasions FO’s were one had had input. The known to delay an attack until insistence of the School to teach Details of kit for Permanent the BG was on duty, this was the basics of gunnery rather Artillery and Garrison not a reflection on the abilities than a modified Vietnam Artillery Volunteers: of other duty officers but rather version was vindicated. . a situation where the FO’s knew Personal: Full dress head dress, the capabilities of the BG and David Roberts. BG. 161 Bty khaki jacket and trousers, preferred to utilise his 1969-1970 South Vietnam leggings, boots, cloth cap, two experience. The BSM and the pouches on waist belt, great coat BG could easily clash, their 9. A HISTORICAL (rolled), haversack containing perception of their individual ITEM knife, fork, spoon, plate, duties could cause an overlap pannikin and one days cooked and consequential ill feeling rations, water bottle (filled), although most went out of their MOBILIZATION pocket knife and lanyard. way avoid any conflict. WOI PROCEDURES, 1904 In Kit Bag: Blanket, Jack Keinzley (BSM 1968-69) waterproof sheet, flannel shirt, kept as far away from the The following extracts are from socks, towel, soap and brushes, deployed gun line as he could, the Fort Bastion Record Book extra pair of boots and laces. he firmly believed that the which appears to have been actual gun position was the compiled by a Captain C.B. Officers: Same as men, but BG’s province, in fact a couple MacKenzie around the turn of must also provide themselves of days after the battery the century. with field glasses, watch,

Muzzle Flashes .blogspot.com 9 We depend on you for items of interest Check in daily to keep up to date Send them to the Editor compass, not book, commonly the 122mm D30 standard Soviet pattern of a range pencil and whistle. Howitzer, probably the most drum for each charge and is widely used gun in the world notably robust. Gun stores are Corps will bring with them today. sparse and the only tools needed all ammunition which may be in Some western armies have are a: sledgehammer, mole their possession, equally distributed previously undertaken D30 wrench and a Gerber pocket and in pouches: the balance to familiarisation in former Warsaw knife! Other key features are: HE complete each man with 120 Pact countries, and a few western shell weight: 21.8kg, Maximum rounds being drawn countries have processed D30’s range: 15.4km, Elevation: -7 to at destination. for a few decades. +70 degrees, Top traverse: 360 However, the formal degrees, Weight in action: 3150 Transport will be arranged international course in Finland kg. for and rations issued by The seems to be a first. Not only is the The ANA D30s are in an DAAG of the District on arrival at destination, but every officer and gun new to most westerners, artillery company in the combat man must carry in his haversack a there’s the added fun of no support kandak (battalion) of sufficient supply of food for one computers because the ANA uses each brigade. Training and day. manual methods to produce firing mentoring Afghan gunners has data, however, it seems that taken place for the last year or 10. G U N N E R S Soviet mil sights (circle 6000) two, the problem has been that no ‘BACKWARDS have been replaced by 6400 mil sooner are Afghan gunners ones. trained than they find themselves COMPATIBILITY’ The D30 entered Soviet reverting to infantry due to the CHALLENGE service in 1963 and was produced operational pressures on the by China, Egypt and Iraq. There ANA. Training observation Earlier this year a handful is a very wide variety of parties has yet to start. of Australians spent time training ammunition for it, but the ANA Article written for the Nov 09 in the far north, 61 degrees north only has standard HE, HEAT, issue of Gunfire by Nigel with plenty of snow, at Niinisalo smoke and illuminating which is Evans. 200 km NW of Helsinki. They separate loading with 5 charges. were at the Finnish artillery The gun is unusual being school on a short course for over fired from a mounting, a three-leg Disorder in the Court 20 men and women from trail and sole plate with the Australian, British, Canadian and wheels raised above the trails and Attorney: Now Doctor, isn’t true German artilleries to ready them towed with all the trails attached that when a person for training and mentoring to the muzzle brake where the dies in their sleep, they don’t Afghan National Army (ANA) towing eye is. This arrangement know about until the next artillery. was originally developed in morning? The challenge for western Germany in 1943 for a 10.5 mm Witness: Did you actually pass gunners with this role is that the field howitzer that did not enter the bar exam? Afghans use Russian guns, most service. The gun follows the

NZ Army 1 Recee Flight, Jan/Feb 1963 at Kariori

(left to Right) Ft Lt Hawkins, AC2 Hughes, Cpl K Piper, Sgt D Roberts, Capt J Masters, Lcpl Cook, WO11 M Nabbs, and Capt R Pearce

Muzzle Flashes .blogspot.com 10 We depend on you for items of interest Check in daily to keep up to date Send them to the Editor 12. NOTICEBOARD Cost will be $25 per person is right but with out his brothers in attending arms it would have been longer. It is intended that there be a parade Thank you for your care and ANZAC OF THE YEAR A. and service at The Colours at 11- understanding while we were in

00am followed by Kaitaia. The RNZRSA’s first ANZAC of Luncheon in the RSA at 12-00pm, the year will be known on Anzac Regards Gail Flutey there will be incidental music Day. The RNZRSA has launched playing after lunch the annual award to honour the C. SHAY BASSETT HAS AN efforts and achievements of a New ENQUIRY/ C GAIL FLUTEY’S MESSAGE Zealander who embodies the ‘spirit of Anzac’ by displaying the I'm hoping you can help me While we were in Kaitaia in our qualities of comradeship, courage, with a request for information that Motor Home Roly needed to get to compassion and commitment. we have received from the Minister the hospital. The result will be announced on of Defence's office. I'm one of the He looked like he had had a MTV at 8.25 pm on ANZAC Day few Gunners currently working in stroke. The boys and their wives Army General Staff, so have gotten were great. Not only did they give involved. Basically the background B. HOROWHENUA us a pick up and drop off service is that the Marlborough RSA in ARTILLERY ASSOCIATION but also offered us their cars. One Blenheim has asked for the couple arrived within a few hours th history of their 25 Pdr which they Is celebrating it's 50 Jubilee at the of Roly getting to hospital. Arthur were given in 1994. So far we have Levin RSA at 11-00am on Simeon arrived the next morning th only managed to determine that it Wednesday 19 May 2010 with his car just in case we needed was one of two that came from All members are invited to attend it. outside King Edward Barracks Please register with the Secretary Anyway all is good, he has (KEB) in Christchurch when they Adam Gibson, 34 Gordon Place, Bell's Palsy and each day is getting were closed in the early 1990s, but Levin 5510 better. It will be a while before he we can't find anything more than this My guess would be that it was probably a 3 Fd Regt gun that was mounted outside KEB soon after the 25 Pdr went out of service in 1977, but this is only a pluck. If you are able to help with any further information via your various communication networks, it would be greatly appreciated. The gun is a 1942 Canadian MK 1 number 10210, but other than that and the above, I have no other information I'm afraid.

D. DISTRIBUTION OF THE NZ GUNNER ELECTRONICALLY.

To save costs and to meet the needs of our members we are about to be able to send your copy of The NZ Gunner to you electronically. If you wish to take advantage of this service please advise the Secretary (Tony McLeod) of your wish and your up to date email address by email to : [email protected]

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Patron Col (Rtd) Donal R KENNING MBE 06 358 2849 Colonel Commandant Brig (Rtd) Graham BIRCH MBE 07 548 1193

The Patron and Colonel Commandant are, ex officio , members of the Committee

President Frank HOPKINSON 09 446 0944

Secretary/Treasurer Tony McLeod 09 486 0910 34 Tennyson Ave Takapuna rnza.a [email protected] NORTH SHORE CITY 0622

Committee Barry DREYER (VP) Mike DAKIN Colin JANSEN Bill STEWART Alan TAYLOR Jeff WATERS John GLACKIN (Co-opted)

Committee Members at Large Graeme BLACK Bob KERSLAKE John MASTERS Brian Jerry MEYER (Australia) Paul O'CONNOR

The NZ Gunner Editor Marie ROBERTS 07 348 4659 PO Box 5118 Fax 07 348 4639 ROTORUA WEST 3044 [email protected]

Webmasters Angus RIVERS [email protected] Catherine RIVERS [email protected]

Website riv.co.nz/rnza/ Blog muzzleflashes.blogspot.com

Subscriptions: Accounting policy - The 2008 AGM endorsed the Committee's policy of accepting only 'full year' payment of subscriptions, that is, $20 or multiples thereof . This action is necessary because the accounting process does not cater for fractional years. Odd sums will be credited to the Welfare Fund in the donor's name.

Donations: All charitable and welfare donations over $5 are now tax deductible as the Association is a Registered Charity.

Receipts: Receipts are issued for all incoming monies and sent out quarterly with the next issue of The New Zealand Gunner .

Email Addresses: Are you on the Internet? The Secretary may not be aware of your address. If you are not getting messages from the RNZA Association and wish to do so, let him have your address. Have you changed ISPs? Have you updated your Internet address? Some mail is being returned.

Input into The New Zealand Gunner : Short stories, especially with accompanying photographs are always welcome for inclusion. The Editor’s email address is [email protected]

New Members: New members are most welcome. ALL Gunners with a minimum of 3 years service or an Operational Tour are eligible for Full Membership. Associate Membership is available to anyone who has been attached to an RNZA Unit or has had a close affiliation therewith, and to close family of RNZA Gunners and to Gunners of any nation around the world. Membership application forms are on-line at www.riv.co.nz/rnza/folk/ join.htm, or MuzzleFlashes .blogspot.com ).

Death of a Member: If you know of the passing of someone who was a Gunner or a member please tell the Secretary. Where possible a representative of the Association will attend the funeral.

Muzzle Flashes items to Mike at: m uzzleflashes.blogspot.com Secretarial/Treasurer Matters to Tony at: [email protected] Items for The NZ Gunner to Marie at: [email protected]

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