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1947 N BW ZEALAND

MILITARY FORCES OF NEW ZEALAND ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE GENERAL STAFF

Prevented to both Hawses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency

REPORT The Hon the Minister of Defence, Wellington, 20th June, 1947. SIRI have the honour to submit the following report on the New Zealand Military Forces for the period Ist June, 1946, to 31st May, 1947. General Remarks The year covered by this report has been devoted mainly to the completion of the process of demobilization, to planning for the future, and to the commencement of the reorganization of the Military Forces for peacetime requirements. A major commitment has been the enlistment, training, and despatch of replacement personnel for 2 N.Z.E.F. (Japan). The first relief, approximately 4,200 strong, left for Japan early in the period under review. Arrangements are now well in hand for the despatch of a further volunteer relief Force to replace those now serving. The new Force will be reduced in size to a strength of 2,400 all ranks, which will include approximately 400 volunteers for a further period of service from the present Force. This reduction in strength will necessitate the disbandment of one battalion and a field battery and a scaling down of other units. Commands and Staff With the retirement of the Director-General of Medical Services, MajorGeneral Sir Fred Bowerbank, K.B.E, E.D., F.R.C.P. (Edin.), F.R.A.P.C., K.H.P., the appointment again. became part-time, and Brigadier W. 11. B. Bull, 0.8. E., was appointed from 31st March, 1947. Colonel (temp. Brigadier) K. L. Stewart, C.8., C.8.E., D.5.0., was appointed Adjutant-General and Second Military Member of the Army Board, vice Colonel (temp. Brigadier) A. E, Conway, C.8., 0.8. E., retired, from Ist September, 1946.