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The Tanks: An Unofficial History of the Activities of the Third New Zealand Division Tank Squadron in the Pacific

I. Formation: New Caledonia

page 104

I. Formation: New Caledonia

On 25 June 1943 the 14th Brigade Medium Machine-Gun Company first came into being under the command of Captain S. R. Rice. The idea of a company of machine guns attached to each brigade was new in the Third Division as previously there had been one D (support) company attached to each battalion. The unit was originally composed of two platoons from D (support) company of the 37th Battalion, together with one platoon from the 35th Battalion plus several members of the 30th Battalion. Later the unit was to be made still more representative of the whole division with the inclusion of reinforcements from the Ruahine and Scots Battalions.

The officer commanding the company, at the beginning, was Captain Rice, with Captain Timms as second-in-command. Before leaving Necal Captain Timms was transferred to the 8th Brigade MMG Company, Major Ross became officer commanding with Captain Rice as his second-in-command. Still later, on Green Island, Major Ross was to leave us, boarded out, and Captain Rice gained his majority and was transferred to the 8th Brigade MMG Company. At this time we acquired Captain Hood as second-in-command and, on our return to Necal, Major Young as officer commanding. The new company consisted of three platoons commanded by Lieutenants E. H. Ryan (No. 1), R. B. Locket (No. 2), and K. A. Wills (No. 3), and a company headquarters whose destiny was guided by Lieutenant MacDonald, who joined us later. This then was the infant company which was page 105gathered together on a bush-clad area in the Taonm Valley, formerly occupied only by ants and lizards.

Not long after arriving in our new area everyone was engaged in introducing a little comfort into life in the form of buildings and home-made furniture. Naturally tents went up first. As time went by the various buildings began to take shape. Orderly room, mess room, QM stores and officers' mess were eventually all erected, complete with gauze-covered windows and were indeed beautiful to behold. It was always a source of regret to the members of the company that they did not stay long enough in this camp really to enjoy its amenities. As might be expected the construction of these buildings entailed a number of tedious subsidiary fatigues—chief of which was thatch-cutting. Thatch-cutting is a long, tiresome and laborious task at the best of times but, in this case, there was an added discomfort with which to contend—the 'mozzies.' The area laid aside for thatch-cutting was one of the most thickly populated 'mozzie' haunts ever encountered by the company and, for weeks, the valiant thatch-cutters went forth to do battle with the swarming pests.

One of the brighter interludes during this period was the construction of an earthern fireplace on which it was proposed should rest two drums of water for dish-washing. During the two weeks that it was being build speculation ran rife among the remainder of the company as to what it was. None of the workmen would commit themselves until the great day arrived when the first fire was lit under it. All in all the project was a great success in that it certainly boiled the water but the smoke tended to run amok, preferring to eddy through all the cracks in the chimney rather than out of the top. About this time an incident took place which elevated everyone's spirits for a time. This was the arrival of the company trucks. Ever since pre-Fiji days we had heard that machine-gunners were motorised—indeed it was this glorious prospect that induced most embryo soldiers of that time to join the MMGs, However, the great day had arrived and the eager drivers lost no time in showing their prowess. During the remainder of our stay in Necal the trucks were put through a gruelling test, being used for every conceivable type of work. Needless to say this gave Captain Rice his opportunity for the promulgation of more orders and restrictions and his order re the page 106overloading of trucks has since been made immortal by Jim Gillies at the various company concerts.

Sports were given high priority during these early days, mainly due to the efforts of Captain Timms who was himself a keen sportsman. Hockey, soccer, rugby and basketball were popular and, with the construction of two first-class basketball courts of our own, that sport became even more popular. Unfortunately competition for the Barrowclough rugby cup had already commenced before our company came into being and, as a result, No. 41 did not have a team entered in that competition. However, as Charlie Stringer, Rex Charlton, Terry Walker, Pat Beban and Pat Eccleston had played for the 37th Battalion previously they remained in that team and helped it through to final victory, so, perhaps, we may claim some measure of credit for that. Our rugby team, which was playing in the championships, did not lose a game and the members were justly proud of themselves. Incidentally, a feature of the game in the Taom Valley was the stony nature of the fields and, as a result, there was a prevalence of septic sores on both knees from which no player became quite cured while in that area. The company was well-situated as regards entertainment. We were within a few minutes' walk of the racecourse, open-air theatre and road-house, all of which were considered the best on the island. Two race meetings were held while the company was at Taom and, if they could not claim much monetary gain from them, both were thoroughly enjoyed by all. There were pictures nearly every night at the theatre, which was situated on the side of a small knoll so that the rows of seats, rising in long tiers, gave an uninterrupted view for all. On special occasions, such as after a race meeting, the local inhabitants, especially the French, would mingle with the audience and, although unable to understand the dialogue, they seemed to enjoy the shows as much as the soldiers. Quite apart from the programme, these nights were memorable ones because of the setting —beautiful nights, the niaouli trees gleaming whitely in the light of the moon and the hills rising dark and mysterious in the background; the rise and fall of many voices while countless cigarettes gleamed or shed a trail of sparks as they were flicked away. It is memories like these that will always be with us. Touring concert parties appeared regularly, the platform of the cinema providing an ideal stage for the Americans and New Zealanders who alike page 107entertained us here. Few will ever forget their introduction to that nostalgic melody, 'White Christmas,' as sung by the visiting American singer, John Fogarty.

Early in July a number of the company had their first taste of what was in store for them in the months to follow. A percentage of each platoon was to be sent to Noumea for amphibious training. As the prospect of this expedition did not look sufficiently inviting, each man put a lot of effort into producing enough reasons to prevent his inclusion in the unlucky group. One duel, between Jack Milne and Peter Grant, will be long remembered. Neither wished to make the journey but one had to be unfortunate and, after a long battle, Jack produced sufficient evidence—a small septic sore on the shin—to decide the issue and Peter's name was put on the list. Eventually the party departed and at Noumea was embarked on an American ship by means of invasion barges with which we were to become all too familiar. A rather surprising feature of this operation was the American method of embarking troops. There was no standing in long alphabetical lines—we just scrambled in to the landing craft. The next few days were very strenuous for those concerned. The training started with our climbing up and down the nets with no equipment—seemingly a waste of time—but in reality done with the object of giving us confidence. Before many days had passed we were up and down those nets carrying full packs and rifles and, if not with the agility of monkeys, at least fairly rapidly. There were many humorous episodes during these exercises, notably Freddy Howard's propensity for climbing nearly to the top of the net and then dropping some trifling article of equipment, such as a rifle or steel helmet, into the barge below. Fortunately his judgment was good and and there were no casualties. Following this, a practice landing was made which went according to plan although tempers became frayed, especially following a certain sergeant's suggestion that we crawl from the beach to the gun positions— a request that, needless to say, was not complied with. On the final day of our visit leave was granted in Noumea and most machine-gunners headed for the beer-garden. Consequently, the crew which eventually returned to the trucks preparatory to heading up the island back to camp were a sorry lot!

Towards the end of July an opportunity was given to men of the Third Division to transfer to the RNZAF and quite a number page 108from our company applied. Those finally accepted were Warrant-Officer Second Class Crossman, Staff-Sergeant Hutchens, Ser-.geants Donnelly and Hooker, Lance-Corporals Bates and Polglase and Privates Nankerville, Walshe, Charlton and Mouldey. These were all old and tried friends, co-partners with us in crime as well as in the trials of life since the old Fiji days, so, naturally, we were sorry to lose them and they, in a sense, probably regretted their departure. However, we felt sure that their grief would soon be forgotten in view of the alluring prospect of leave in New Zealand, not to mention final escape from the rut so long occupied. Pol. and Washer were to rejoin us later in Guadalcanal, after being rejected from the air force at base.

After eight months of routine army life overseas, August brought us news that, at last, we were to move on to the combat area. The direction of the move was contrary to all the best rumours that had been circulating at that time but, despite our sense of disillusionment, we were glad to be on the move, even if our destination did hold promise of many unpleasant things— at least it would be a change and that was what we wanted. Arriving at Noumea prior to embarkation, the company had its first split-up, each platoon travelling with a different combat team or battalion. Lieutenant Ryan, with No. 1 platoon including Captain Rice and part of company headquarters, was attached to the 30th Battalion under Lieutenant-Colonel McNamara and travelled on the President Adams; Lieutenant Lockett with No. 2 platoon, Lieutenant MacDonald and the remnants of company headquarters travelled with Lieutenant-Colonel Seaward's 35th Battalion on the President Hayes; while No. 3 platoon under Lieutenant Wills, together with MMGs operational headquarters, including Major Ross, sailed with the 37th Battalion under Lieutenant-Colonel Sugden on the President Jackson. On getting aboard we had our first taste of really uncomfortable quarters, a condition with which we were to become only too familiar in the months to come. Sleeping quarters were very crowded and even deck space was at a premium.

Our convoy remained at anchor for three days before sailing, the time being taken up with landing exercises and the like. During this time, too, we made our first acquaintance with a friend that was to be with us for the next ten months and much lauded in song and verse—the atebrin tablet. At last, at 3 pm on 18 page 109August, we set sail. Our time aboard was occupied mainly with ack-ack guards on 30 machine-guns mounted on barges on board the ship which, fortunately, we were not called upon to use at any stage of the journey. Our first call was at Port Vila in the New Hebrides where we arrived early on the morning of 26 August. We remained here for six days but were not given much opportunity to view the island from a tourist point of view. However, although the six days were taken up mainly with landing exercises and manceuvres, from what little we did see we were favourably impressed, especially with Mélé Beach with its beautiful golden sand and rolling surf. On 25 August we set off again and, apart from a few tense moments on our last night at sea when enemy planes were reported, we arrived at Guadalcanal at 9 o'clock on the morning of 27 August without incident. On arrival the company was again temporarily reunited.