General

(1) The rapidity with which casualties can be replaced depends largely upon their early notification on one of the various Army forms despatched to 2 Ech, 2 NZEF, viz:

AF W3006

3008

3009

3010

3011

3012

(2) It is therefore essential that these forms be rendered by the most speedy means available.

(3) All demands for reinforcements must be rendered to 2 Ech, 2 NZEF, which is the sole authority for the number of reinforcements to be supplied.

(4) All personnel are ‘off strength’:

(a)	On death
(b)	As soon as they are evacuated beyond Regimental Aid Posts, or
(c)	Otherwise placed on ‘X’ Lists, and are then replaceable as regards numbers by a reinforcement to be sent up later from the Base. Replacement by ranks is dealt with below as regards Officers in paras (16) to (21), as regards WOs and S/Sjts in paras (22) to (27), and as regards NCOs of Serjeant and below in paras (28) to (33).

(5) It is most undesirable for units to leave vacancies open for the return of certain personnel, particularly NCO personnel. Despite what may be believed at the time, there is no guarantee that the men evacuated will return within a reasonable period. Machinery exists for making at least an acting or temporary promotion at a very early stage, and for making it substantive subsequently, and full advantage should be taken of this procedure.

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(6) Part C of AF W3009 provides for the nomination of certain other ranks ‘Whose return to the unit is particularly requested. To use this as a nominal roll of all personnel absent from the Unit makes it valueless. In order to meet the wishes of units as regards nominated personnel, it is necessary for 2 Ech, 2 NZEF to advise the Reinforcement Depot concerned that such personnel are required as soon as possible. The roll of ‘Particularly Requested’ personnel should be used only to request the return of certain specialists (other ranks below the rank of S/Sjt).

(7) AF W3012 must be rendered by units for notifying casualties of attached personnel, a copy being forwarded to the parent unit of such attached personnel.

(8) Formation Headquarters should immediately replace losses by demanding replacements from units under their command, who in turn obtain replacements in the normal manner.

(9) It is stressed that units should make use of Part D of AF W3009 in demanding tradesmen, etc., but this should not deter COs from training suitable personnel for the immediate filling of essential specialist vacancies. Care should be taken to ensure that the total number so demanded in Part D agrees with the total of Column 4 Part A, ‘Reinforcements required.’

(10) All ranks on discharge from Hospital will, in the majority of cases, proceed to the Convalescent Depot. From there they are moved if graded I or IA to the Reception Depot, where they are re-equipped with basic equipment and made dentally fit. When these processes are complete they are transferred to the appropriate Training Depot, and subject to the need for refresher courses, become available for replacement drafts.

(11) On receipt of weekly Field Return from unit the following procedure will be followed by 2 Ech 2 NZEF.

(a)	Officer deficiencies shown on AF W3008 will be notified to the Military Secretary.
(b)	From AF W3009 a statement of deficiencies up to the rank of Sjt will be compiled and passed to the appropriate Training Depot together with Parts C and D of Field Return.
(c)	A summary of deficiencies of all units as in para (b) will be passed to HQ 6 NZ Div also.
(d)	Deficiencies of S/Sjts and WOs will be referred to HQ 2 NZEF.

(12) Training Depots will assemble drafts, drawing:

(a)	On ex-personnel of the unit concerned, and
(b)	From any trained personnel of the Corps, except in the case of Infantry, where they will draw on the trained personnel of the linked battalions (e.g., 18/21/24 NZ Bns). The factor governing posting the draft will be length of time in the Depot, irrespective of rank.

(13) HQ 6 NZ Div will arrange for drafts to be sent forward as frequently as is required according to urgency and size.

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(14) Should there be any really urgent need for replacement of casualties such as unexpectedly severe battle casualties, action as in para (11) will be taken by 2 Ech 2 NZEF on the daily strength state (AF W3006), i.e., 2 Ech will not wait for the Weekly Field Return. It is permissible for units in such exceptional circumstances to draw the attention of 2 Ech to the need for early replacements. HQ 2 NZ Div will in an emergency indicate the priority of demand, i.e., if, on AF W3006 reinforcements are shown to be required, HQ 2 NZ Div will advise Advance Base, if any, or HQ 6 NZ Div which units require reinforcements most urgently.

(15) In the event of the field force being far in advance of the Base, it may become necessary to establish advanced depots of personnel, in order to avoid the lag involved in the journey from the Base. The despatch of personnel from such advanced depots will still be governed by the authority of 2 Ech 2 NZEF or Adv 2 Ech 2 NZEF.