Col Comdt visit to 11/4 Bty

I visited 11/4 Bty today in camp at Whangaparaoa. They are in good shape, enthusiastic and buckling down to their training regime.

As background, they are part of 3ANR, the Auckland TF infantry regiment. They deploy a 105mm gun troop and an 81mm mortar troop. Their immediate role is to provide trained RNZA TF soldiers to supplement 16 Fd Regt if and when required.

This annual camp is primarily a course based training camp. The Bty is running a Band 2 gunner course and a Band 2 signallers course, with 12 and 13 students respectively. They are running thecourses from their own resources, supplemented by a couple of NCOs from 16 Fd Regt. There area couple of young officers completing the gunner module as part of their gunline training, and 3 mortarmen on the sigs course.

The Whangaparaoa facilities are first class. It’s been an RNZN camp for some time and they have just spent some millions on it to sleep, feed and train about 100 soldiers/sailors at a time, in a very modern complex below the old parade ground. 11/4 Bty are one of the first to use the facilities – which are state of the art, from the washing machines and ablutions, through kitchen, to lecture rooms and internet rooms!

The Navy had their new officer intake in (about day 4)  – they spent all the time I saw them running up and down hills. The airforce were using the range for a small arms shoot. So, very tri-service. The only recognizable bit of the camp was the old and very small guard hut, which has been designated historic – you can tell because it hasn’t been painted since I was last there in 1988.

Anyway, I can report on a very good bunch of NCOs working hard on gunner things with an enthusiastic group of gunners and young officers and a sprinkling of mortarmen. The CO 3ANR, Lt Col Chris Powell was there too and he was equally impressed with the work.

Ubique
Barry Dreyer
Col Comdt