In 1955, the New Zealand Army found itself poised for significant transformation. The eruption of the Korean War and the escalating conflict in Malaysia compelled New Zealand to reassess its military strategy. Structured and equipped to provide an Expeditionary Force centred around a division supporting British forces in the Middle East, the evolving political situation in Asia placed the army on the cusp of a paradigm shift. This strategic shift redirected the focus of deployment from the Middle East to Southeast Asia, marking a crucial juncture in the army’s trajectory. [1] This article provides insights into the organisational and equipment state of the New Zealand Army of 1956 as it pivoted towards service in Asia.

Command and Control

Chief of the General Staff – Major-General C. E. Weir, CE., CBE., DSO.

Vice-Chief of the General Staff – Brigadier R. C. Queree, CBE., DS0.

Adjutant-General – Brigadier L. W. Thornton, OBE.

Quartermaster-General – Brigadier J. R. Page, CBE., DSO.

Strength

Regular Force

• Authorised Strength – 4200
• Actual Strength
  • Officers:          552
  • Other Ranks:   3276
  • Total:               3828

Territorial Force

Under the Compulsory Military Training Act of 1949, all males, whether European or Māori, became liable for military service upon reaching 18 years of age. Trainees had to undergo 14 weeks of intensive, full-time training, three years of part-time service, and six years in the Army Reserve. By 31 March 1956, 50,846 men had been trained under this scheme. The strength of the Territorial Force in 1956 was:

• Officers:         
  • 1440
• Other Ranks:  
  • 25846 – Effective Strength
  • 10065 – Completed whole-time training available for part-time training from 1 April 1956
  • 1760 – Held on strength but not available for training
  • Total                37671

School Cadet Corps

School Cadet Units were maintained at schools and were voluntarily for male students aged 14 to 18. In 1956, 807 officers and 38,032 cadets served in 140 secondary school cadet units.[2]

Organisation

Except for units of the NZ Cadet Corps, the following units comprised the New Zealand Army, which was organised into Army Troops, District Troops and the New Zealand Division:[3]

Army Troops

• Army Headquarters
• The Army Schools
• Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps Depot RNZAC.
• Royal New Zealand Corps of Signals Depot.
• School of Military Engineering, RNZE
• Royal New Zealand Army Medical Corps Depot.
• Army Headquarters, Wireless Training Troop, RNZ Sigs.
• Main Ordnance Depot, RNZAOC
• Small Arms Ammunition Production Proof Office, RNZAOC
• Inspecting Ordnance Officer Group, RNZAOC
• Trentham Camp Hospital, RNZAMC.
• Papakura Camp Hospital, RNZAMC
• Waiouru Camp Hospital, RNZAMC.
• Linton Camp Hospital, RNZAMC.
• Burnham Camp Hospital, RNZAMC.
• Army Headquarters, Dental Section, RNZDC
• Whenuapai Dental Section, RNZDC.
• Hobsonville Dental Section, RNZDC.
• Ohakea Dental Section, RNZDC.
• Woodbourne Dental Section, RNZDC.
• Wigram Dental Section, RNZDC
•  Services Corrective Establishment.

District Troops

• Headquarters, Northern Military District.
  • Headquarters, Area 1, Auckland
  • Headquarters, Area 2, Tauranga.
  • Headquarters, Area 3, Whangarei.
  • Headquarters, Area 4, Hamilton.
  • Narrow Neck Camp (.(Incl Fort Cautley).
    • 9th Coast Regiment, RNZA
    • 9th Coast Regiment Signal Troop, RNZ Sigs.
  • Papakura Camp.
    • Northern District Construction Squadron, RNZE.
    • Papakura Dental Section, RNZDC
    • Northern District Army Education and Welfare Service, NZAEC.
  • Waikato Camp.
    • Northern District Company, RNZASC.
    • Northern District Signal Troop, RNZ Sigs.
    • Northern District Ordnance Depot, RNZAOC.
    • Northern District Ammunition Depot, RNZAOC
    • Northern District Ammunition Repair Depot, RNZAOC
    • Northern District Vehicle Depot, RNZAOC
    • Northern District Workshop, RNZEME.
• Headquarters, Central Military District.
  • Headquarters, Area 5, Wellington.
  • Headquarters, Area 6, Wanganui.
  • Headquarters, Area 7, Napier.
  • Headquarters, Area 8, New Plymouth.
• Waiouru Camp.
  • Central District Workshop (Waiouru), RNZEME.
  • Waiouru Dental Section, RNZDC.
• Linton Camp.
  • Central District Training Depot.
  • Central District Construction Squadron, RNZE.
  • Central District Signal Troop, RNZ Sigs.
  • Central District Company, RNZASC.
  • Central District Ordnance Depot, RNZAOC.
  • Central District Vehicle Depot, RNZAOC.
  • Central District Army Education and Welfare Service, NZAEC.

• Trentham Camp.
  • Central District Ammunition Depot, ‘RNZAOC
  • Central District Ammunition Repair Depot, RNZAOC.
  • Central District Mechanical Transport Workshop (Trentham) RNZEME.
  • Central District Armament and General Workshop (Trentham), RNZEME.
  • 2nd General Hospital, RNZAMC
  • Trentham Dental Section, RNZDC.
• Fort Dorset Base Camp
  • 10th  Coast Regiment, RNZA.
  • 10th CoastRegiment Signal Troop, RNZ Sigs.
• Headquarters, Southern Military District,
  • Headquarters, Area 9, Nelson.
  • Headquarters, Area 10, Christchurch.
  • Headquarters, Area 11, Dunedin.
  • Headquarters, Area 12, Invercargill.
  • Burnham Camp
    • 11th Coast Regiment, RNZA.
    • 11th Coast Regiment Signal Troop, RNZ Sigs
    • Southern District Construction Squadron, RNZE.
    • Southern District Signal Troop, RNZ Sigs.
    • Southern District Company, RNZASC.
    • Otago University Medical Company, RNZAMC.(Dunedin)
    • Southern District Ordnance Depot, RNZAOC.
    • Southern District Ammunition Depot, RNZAOC.
    • Southern District Ammunition Repair Depot, RNZAOC.
    • Southern District Vehicle Depot, RNZAOC.
    • Southern District Mechanical Transport Workshop (Burnham), RNZEME.
    • Southern District Armament and General Workshop (Burnham), RNZEME.
    • Burnham Dental Section, RNZDC.
    • Southern District Army Education and Welfare Service, NZAEC

New Zealand Division

• Headquarters, New Zealand Division.
  • Headquarters, New Zealand Division Light Aid Detachment, RNZEME.

• Headquarters, RNZA, New Zealand Division.
  • 1st Field Regiment, RNZA.
    • 1st Field Regiment Light Aid Detachment, RNZEME.
  • 2nd Field Regiment, RNZA.
    • 2nd Field Regiment Light Aid Detachment, RNZEME.
  • 3rd Field Regiment, RNZA.
    • 3rd Field Regiment Light Aid Detachment, RNZEME.
  • 4th Medium Regiment, RNZA.
    • 4th Medium Regiment Light Aid Detachment, RNZEME.
  • 5th Light Regiment, RNZA.
    • 5th Light Regiment Light Aid Detachment, RNZEME.
  • 6th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RNZA.
    • 6th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment Light Aid Detachment, RNZEME.
  • 12th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RNZA.
    • 12th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment Workshop, RNZEME.
  • 1st Locating Battery, RNZA.

• Headquarters, 1st Infantry Brigade.
  • 1st Battalion, The Northland Regiment, RNZ Inf.
  • 1st Battalion, The Auckland Regiment (Countess of Ranfurly’s Own) RNZ Inf.
  • 1st Battalion, The Hauraki Regiment, RNZ Inf.
  • Headquarters, 1st Infantry Brigade Light Aid Detachment, RNZEME.

• Headquarters, 2nd Infantry Brigade.
  • 1st Battalion, The Wellington Regiment (City of Wellington’s Own)RNZ Inf.
  • 1st Battalion, The Wellington West Coast and Taranaki Regiment. RNZ Inf.
  • 1st Battalion, The Hawkes Bay Regiment. RNZ Inf.
  • Headquarters, 2nd Infantry Brigade Light Aid Detachment, RNZEME.

• Headquarters, 3rd Infantry Brigade.
  • 1st Battalion, The Nelson, Marlborough, and West Coast Regiment, RNZ Inf.1st Battalion, The Canterbury Regiment RNZ Inf.1st Battalion, The Otago and Southland Regiment, RNZ Inf.
  • Headquarters, 3rd Infantry Brigade Light Aid Detachment, RNZEME

• Headquarters, 4th Armoured Brigade.
  • 1st Armoured Regiment (Waikato), RNZAC.
    • 1st Armoured Regiment (Waikato} Light Aid Detachment, RNZEME.
  • 4th Armoured Regiment (Wellington and  East Coast), RNZAC.
    • 4th Armoured Regiment (Wellington and East Coast) Light Aid Detachment, RNZEME.
  • 1st Armoured Car Regiment (New Zealand Scottish), RNZAC.
    • 1st Armoured Car Regiment ,(New Zealand Scottish) Light Aid Detachment, RNZEME.

• Headquarters, RNZE, New Zealand Division
  • 1st Field Engineer Regiment, RNZE.
    • 1st Field Engineer Regiment Light Aid Detachment, RNZEME.
  • 4th Field Park Squadron, RNZE.
    • 5th Independent Field Squadron, RNZE

• 1st Divisional Signal Regiment, RNZ Sigs.
  • 1st Divisional Signal Regiment Light Aid Detachment, RNZEME.

• Headquarters, Commander RNZASC, New Zealand Division.
  • 1st Transport Company, RNZASC.
    • 1st Transport Company, RNZASC Light Aid Detachment, RNZEME.
  • 4th Transport Company, RNZASC.
    • 4th Transport Company, RNZASC Light Aid Detachment, RNZEME.
  • 6th Transport Company, RNZASC.
    • 6th Transport Company, RNZASC Light Aid Detachment, RNZEME
  • Headquarters, 21st Supply Company, RNZASC.
  • 1^st Supply Platoon, RNZASC.

• Headquarters, RNZAMC, New Zealand Division.
  • 1st Field Ambulance, RNZAMC.
  • 2nd Field Ambulance, RNZAMC.
  • 3rd Field Ambulance, RNZAMC.
  • 1st Field Dressing Station, RNZAMC.
  • 1st Casualty Clearing Station, RNZAMC.
  • 1st Field Hygiene Section, RNZAMC.
  • 2nd Field Hygiene Section, RNZAMC.
  • 3rd Field Hygiene Section, RNZAMC.

• Headquarters, Commander RNZAOCs, New Zealand Division.
  • 1st Divisional Ordnance Field Park, RNZAOC.

• Headquarters, Commander RNZEME, New Zealand Division.
  • 1st Infantry Workshop, RNZEME.
  • 2nd Infantry Workshop, RNZEME.
  • 3rd Infantry Workshop, RNZEME.

• 1st Mobile Dental Unit, RNZDC.
• 2nd Mobile Dental Unit, RNZDC.
• 3rd Mobile Dental Unit, RNZDC.

• 1st Divisional Provost Company, RNZ Pro.

Overseas Units

• New Zealand Army Liaison Staff London
  • New Zealand Army Liaison Staff Melbourne
  • New Zealand Fiji Cadre.
  • Headquarters, New Zealand Kayforce.
    • A Transport Platoon (Korea), RNZASC.
  • The New Zealand Special Air Service Squadron. (Malaya)

Note: Apart from the New Zealand Women’s Army Corps (NZWRAC) depot, there were no standalone NZWRAC units, with all members distributed across units of the NZ Army

Equipment

After the First World War, the New Zealand Army underwent re-equipment, acquiring enough equipment to outfit an Infantry division, Artillery Brigade, and Mounted Rifle Brigade.[4] However, by 1934, much of this equipment had reached the end of its operational life. In line with mechanisation experiments, the first wave of modern uniforms and equipment began to be introduced into New Zealand’s service, including Anti-Aircraft Artillery, Bren Guns, and Universal Carriers from 1938.[5]

The advent of the Second World War saw the comprehensive re-equipment of the New Zealand army. By 1946, it was equipped on par with its peers in the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, with the available equipment viewed as sufficient for the immediate post war training purposes.[6]

Between 1946 and 1950, the demand for new or additional equipment was minimal. However, during this time, all remaining pre-war field artillery was replaced with more modern systems developed during the war. Substantial advancements occurred from 1950 onward, including the introduction of new Land Rover 4-wheel-drive vehicles, Centurion tanks, Armoured Cars, and anti-armour weapons, as well as the initial deployment of the Larkspur radio system. However, despite this purchase of a token amount of equipment, much of the army’s World War Two equipment although in service for less than twenty years was facing bulk obsolescence and included the following equipment.

Weapons and Communications Equipment

Type	Model	Qty (If known)
Rifles	Lee Enfield No4 Mk1 and Mk1*	40000
Rifles	Lee Enfield No 1 Mk3	24000
Rifles	Rifles No 8 Mk3 .22-in
Rifles	X8E1 FN FAL 7.62mm Rifles for troop trials	22
Pistols	Revolver Smith & Weston No2 .38-inch
Pistols	Pistol, Signal No1 Mk3
Submachine Gun	Sten 9mm Mk 2 & Mk 3
Machine Gun	Bren. 303-inch
Machine Gun	Vickers .303-inch
Machine Gun	Browning .30-inch
Machine Gun	BESA MK1,2 and 3
Mortar	Ordnance SBML two-inch mortar	430
Mortar	Ordnance ML 3-inch mortar
Mortar	Ordnance ML 4.2-inch Mortar	36
Anti-Armour	M20 Mk2 3.5-inch Rocket Launcher	57
Anti-Armour	120mm BAT L2 Recoilless Rifle	18
Anti-Armour	Ordnance QF 6-pounder
Anti-Armour	Anti-Tank Grenade No 94 (ENERGA)
Field Artillery	Ordnance QF 25-pounder Mk2
Field Artillery	BL 5.5-inch (140mm) calibre,  Mk 3	12
Anti-Aircraft Artillery	Bofors 40 mm L/60 gun	396 (most in storage)
Anti-Aircraft Artillery	QF 3.7-inch Mk3	193 (most in storage)
Coast Artillery	BL 9.2inch Mk XV	6
Coast Artillery	BL 6-inch Mk XXIV	3
Coast Artillery	BL 6-inch Mk XXI	6
Coast Artillery	BL 6-inch Mk VII	2
Coast Artillery	QF 6-Pounder, 10 cwt Twin	4
Radar	Radar, Anti-Aircraft No 3, Mark 7	9
Range Finder	Range Finder No 12 Mk VII
Radios	Wireless Set No. 19
Radios	Wireless Set No. 22
Radios	Wireless Set No. 31
Radios	Wireless Set No. 33
Radios	Wireless Set No. 38
Radios	Wireless Set No. 48
Radios	Wireless Set No. 52
Radios	Wireless Set No. 53
Radios	Wireless Set No. 62
Radios	Wireless Set No. 88
Radios	Wireless Set No ZC 1 Mk II (NZ)

Vehicles

In 1939, the New Zealand Army inventory of vehicles consisted of.

• 6 Motorcycles
• 2 Cars
• 54 Tracks and tractors

By 1944, this fleet had expanded to 20311 vehicles of all types from the United States, Canada and Great Britain.[7]  Reductions of surplus vehicles due to the war’s end had reduced this holding to 10931 vehicles in 1945. Operational wear and tear and a shortfall in unit maintenance capability further reduced the fleet, necessitating placing most vehicles into regional Vehicle Depots managed by the RNZOAC. Under this system, units maintained a minimum of vehicles for routine activities; however, before an exercise, the unit’s additional vehicle requirement was drawn from the supporting Vehicle Depot.

Model	Qty (If known)
Centurion Mk 3	3
Valentine Mk 3 and V
Daimler Mk II ‘Dingo’ scout car	84
Daimler Mk 2 Armoured Car	11
NZ Pattern Wheeled Carrier Mk 2
Universal LP2A Carrier&
Motorcycle BSA M20
Motorcycle Indian Model 741B
Land-Rover Series 1 80″	384
Willys Jeep
AEC Matador 4×4 artillery tractor
Bedford MWC 200Gallon Water Cart
Bedford MWC Ambulance
Bedford QL GS
Bedford QLB Light Anti-Aircraft Tractor
Chevrolet C60 Wireless Truck
Chevrolet C60L 4 x 4 Wrecker
Chevrolet C8AX  Compressor
Chevrolet C8AX Ambulance
Chevrolet C8AX GS
Chevrolet C8AX Water Truck
Chevrolet C8AX Wireless
Chevrolet Field Artillery Tractor
Diamond T 968 4-ton 6×6
Diamond T 969A Recovery
Diamond T 980 12-ton 6×4
Federal 6×4+4 20-ton Transporter
Ford F30 4×4 30-cwt Fire Appliance
Ford F30 4×4 30-cwt GS
Ford F30 4×4 30-cwt Tipper
Ford F30 4×4 30-cwt Wireless
Ford F61-L LWB Recovery Vehicle/Holmes
GMC 6×4 CCW Binned Stores
GMC 6×4 CCW GS
GMC 6×4 CCW Shower
GMC 6×4 CCW-353 GS
GMC 6×4 CCW-353 Tipper
Guy FPAX
Leyland Retriever, 6×4  Searchlight
Leyland Retriever, 6×4 Breakdown Gantry
Leyland Retriever, 6×4, Machinery, Type A
Leyland Retriever, 6×4, Machinery, Type Z
Scammell Pioneer R100 Artillery Tractor
Scammell Pioneer SV2S Heavy Recovery Vehicle
Ward La France M1A1 Recovery Vehicle
Trailer 15KVA Lister Generator
Trailer Dental
Trailer FBE (Folding Boat Equipment)
Trailer Recovery 6 Ton 6 Wheel No1 Mk11
Trailer Water Purification

Painting of Equipment and Vehicles

In the interest of smart turnout, weather protection and economy, all mobile artillery equipment and trailers and all “B” and “C” vehicles were in peacetime painted to a glossy finish using Paint, PFU, Deep Bronze Green, High Gloss.

All “A” Vehicles and non-mobile artillery equipment, searchlights, etc,  were painted to a matt finish using Paint, PFU, Deep Bronze Green, Matt Finish.[8]

Rationing

The RNZASC was responsible for overseeing all catering operations within the army. This included managing ration scales and supply organisation, including ration stores, cold stores, and butcher shops. Additionally, the RNZASC coordinated the activities of cooks and stewards stationed in camp and field kitchens. Bulk stocks of rations received from civilian suppliers were held in Supply Platoons and divided into ration breaks tailored to the needs of individual kitchens, depending on the strength of dependent units. Bulk field feeding was facilitated by RNZASC field kitchens, which provided essential sustenance in various operational settings. Unlike other contemporary military forces, the New Zealand Army did not utilise ration packs. Instead, units were supplied with canned or fresh food from the existing ration scale, allowing units to prepare meals while in the Field for shorter periods, ensuring flexibility and adaptability to different operational demands.

Specialised RNZASC Field Catering equipment included.

• Cookers Portable No 1
• Cookers Portable No 2
• Cookers Portable No 3
• Wiles’ Junior’ Mobile Cooker trailer
• Wiles’ Senior’ Mobile Cooker trailer
• Portable Field Cookhouse
• Portable Mess Kit Wash up Kit.
• Portable Meat Safe

Clothing and Personal Equipment

Following World War Two, with Ordnance Stores well stocked and NZ industry well positioned to support any surge in demand, the NZ army retained the familiar combination of woollen serge Battle Dress (BD) and Khaki Drill (KD) and Demin range of uniforms that had served it well during the war years. However, by 1955, the high tempo of training required to maintain a division supported by CMT, operations in Korea, and a likely commitment to ongoing operations in Southeast Asia highlighted deficiencies of the current ranger of uniforms. While the BD uniforms remained suitable for use in temperate and colder climates, the Army Clothing Committee identified a requirement to develop a summer training dress for use in NZ that would also be satisfactory for jungle operations, in response to the Army Dress Committee, Captain J.A Dixie of the Defence Scientific Corps of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) provided a comprehensive report on Tropical Clothing. Reviewing World War Two and post-war scientific research on the problem of tropical clothing by the United States and Commonwealth, Dixie’s report provided the principles that guided the selection of a suitable NZ Army range of tropical uniforms and equipment.[9]

In December 1955, the Army Board approved the transition of uniforms with BDs retained as winter dress in NZ and KDs to be phased out in favour of uniforms manufactured in Drill Green (DG) for summer and working dress.

Detailed below are the uniform scales of issues that were to be affected by the most significant uniform transition since 1940.

1955 Scales of Uniform issue.

Scale 1	Regular Soldiers, including Regular Force Cadets.
Scale 2	Regular Physical Training Instructors.
Scale 3	Regular Officers.
Scale 4	Regular Officers and Soldiers of the NZWRAC.
Scale 5	Regular soldiers of the NZANS.
Scale 6	Territorial Recruits.
Scale 7	Territorial soldiers.
Scale 8	Territorial Officers.
Scale 9	Territorial Officers and Soldiers of the NZWRAC.
Scale 10	Territorial Soldiers of the NZANS.
Scale 11	Territorial Officers of the NZANS.
Scale 12	Cadets of the Cadet Corps.
Scale 13	Cadet Corps Officers.
Scale 14	Special Clothing.
Scale 15	Camp Necessities: Supplementary scales.
Scale 16	Welfare Workers in Army Camps.
Scale 17	Canteen Council Employees.
Scale 18	Individual Provision: Women’s Services.
Scale 19	Clothing and Necessaries to be in Possession of Soldiers Committed to Detention Barracks.
Scale 20	Hospital Patients.

Headdress

Blue berets were designated for Physical Training Instructors. Additionally, officers (excluding RNZAC) were issued blue berets to be worn with Uniform Blue No 1.

The introduction of the Cap Battledress (Cap BD), commonly known as the Ski Cap, commenced in 1954 as a replacement for the Cap GS (Lemon squeezer). Members of the RNZAC were not required to wear the Cap BD, as they retained the Black Beret adopted in 1942 as their headdress.

The standard combat helmet was the Helmet, Steel, Mark II (Brodie), with special helmets for motorcycle riders and armoured crew members.

Battle Dress

The 37 Pattern Battle Dress (BD) served as New Zealand soldiers’ standard winter uniform and walking-out attire during World War II and subsequent years. This uniform, featured the following  key components:

• Blouse: Fashioned from durable wool serge fabric, the blouse featured a buttoned front with concealed buttons. It boasted two breast pockets and two internal pockets, while the straight sleeves typically came with adjustable cuffs for added comfort and versatility.
• Trousers: Crafted from the same resilient wool serge material as the blouse, the trousers boasted a practical button-fly design. They were equipped with two internal pockets, one rear pocket and a map pocket on the left leg. Adjustable side tabs on the waistband ensured a personalised fit for each wearer.
• Web Anklets: Designed to keep the trouser bottoms securely in place, the web anklets prevented them from riding up or becoming loose during movement. This maintained a tidy and uniform appearance and offered protection against debris and insects entering the footwear.
• BD Skirts were provided for female soldiers of the NZWRAC and NZANS

An upgraded pattern of Battle Dress was introduced in New Zealand known as the Pattern 52 BD, however from 1956, due to the considerable number of older patterns in circulation, the issue of the 52-Patt BDs was limited to regular soldiers and officers until stocks of the older pattern were wasted out.

Khaki Drill

During summer months, the woollen BD uniform proved impractical, leading to the issuance of Khaki drill attire. This summer uniform comprised:

• Shirt, drill, Khaki
• Shirt, Bush, OR, No 1 or No 2
• Shirt, Officers, Khaki
• Shorts, drill, Khaki
• Trouser, drill, Khaki
• Hosetops, Khaki, and Puttees, Short
• Skirts, Khaki (NZWRAC and NZANS)

Working Dress

Recognising the unsuitability of both the BD and Khaki Drill uniforms for rigorous activities, a Denim working dress was provided. This ensemble included:

• Jacket, Denim
• Trousers, Denim

These garments were intended to withstand the demands of heavy-duty work while maintaining functionality and durability for soldiers in various tasks and environments, with overalls issued in addition to denims for tradesmen.

Camouflage

In 1952,  1500 sets of Khaki Drill Jackets and Trousers were dyed green and issued to the three military districts (250 sets per district) and NZ Division (750 sets) as camouflage clothing for training. The status of these by 1956 is unknown.

Footwear

Boots

Boots were ankle-high, lace-up ammo boots consisting of

• Boots, ankle, Rank and File R&F, IP (or NZ). These boots had pebble-grained leather uppers with leather soles fitted with heel plates, toe plates and sole studs (hobnails).
• Boots, ankle, officers, black. Officers’ boots had heel plates, but lacked the sole studs and toe plates because they could afford to replace the soles.

Other footwear

• Shoes, canvas, rubber sole.
• Shoes, officers, black, heavy.
• Shoes, officers, black, light.
• Shoes, NZWRAC, tan
• Boots, Motorcyclists
• Sandals, leather
• Overshoes – issued to personnel employed in Magazines, Cookhouses at Ordnance Stores with concrete floors.

Wet and cold weather clothing

• Issued to Soldiers
  • Coats, waterproof, Other Ranks
  • Gloves Woolen
  • Greatcoat, dismounted, 1940-patt.
  • Jersey, pullover, Type A
  • Jersey, pullover, Type B
• Issued to Officers
  • Caps Comforter
  • Cardigan
  • Coats, trench or waterproof
  • Gloves, leather, brown, lined.
  • Gloves, leather, brown, unlined
  • Greatcoats
  • Jersey, pullover, Type A
  • Scarves , Khaki
• Special Clothing issue
  • Boots, rubber knee
  • Capes, waterproof
  • Coats, oilskin
  • Hats, oilskin
  • Jackets, oilskin
  • Jerkin, Sleeveless Leather

Badges

• Arm and appointment badges
  • Brass or Worsted SD

• Cap & Collar
  • Other Ranks – brass
  • Officers – gilt

• Rank
  • Worsted SD (Other Ranks)
  • Brass on Bands, wrist, KD, WO
  • Shoulder, worsted of gilt (Stars or Crowns)

Web Equipment

While New Zealand received substantial information regarding research and development efforts by the British Army aimed at enhancing web equipment, many of the new British designs were still in the development phase and not yet ready for deployment. [10]  However, with over 60,000 sets of the 37-Pattern equipment in circulation in New Zealand, supplemented by older items like the 08 Pattern pack, it was ensured that this equipment would remain in service for the foreseeable future.

Conclusion

In conclusion 1956 marked a crucial juncture for the New Zealand Army, necessitating strategic adaptations in response to evolving global conflicts. The army transitioned from its traditional role supporting British forces in the Middle East to engaging in operations in Southeast Asia. This shift prompted organisational restructuring, equipment modernisation, and adjustments to clothing and logistical operations. By aligning itself with the United Kingdom and Australia, the New Zealand Army was positioned to meet the challenges of the battlefields of the 1960s.

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Notes

[1] Damien Fenton, A False Sense of Security: The Force Structure of the New Zealand Army 1946-1978, Occasional Paper / Centre for Strategic Studies: New Zealand: No. 1 (Centre for Strategic Studies: New Zealand, Victoria University of Wellington, 1998), 49.

[2] “Military Forces of New Zealand Annual Report of the General Officer Commanding, for Period 1 April 1955 to 31 March 1956,” Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1956 Session I, H-19  (1956).

[3] “Composition of the New Zealand Army,” New Zealand Army Order 26-27/56, 9 May 1956.

[4] “H-19 Defence Forces of New Zealand, Annual Report of the General Officer Commanding the Forces,” Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives  (1920): 11.

[5] “H-19 Military Forces of New Zealand, Annual Report of the Chief of the General Staff,” Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, (1939).

[6] “H-19 Military Forces of New Zealand Annual Report of the General Officer Commanding, for Period 1 June 1950 to 31 March 1951,” Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives  (1951).

[7] “Appendices to Report on Qmg (Quartermaster-General’s) Branch,” Archives New Zealand Item No R25541151  (1944).

[8] “Vehicles and Artillery Equipments, Painiting Of,” New Zealand Army Order 75/50, 9 May 1950.

[9] Army 213/1/92 DSIR Tropical Clothing Dated 3 October 1955. “Clothing – Tropical Clothing and Personal Equipment, ”Clothing.

[10]  86/Dev/54 (SWV1) Instructions for Troop trials of Z2 Experimental Load Carrying Equipment, 1954;”Cookers – Web Equipment: New Pattern,” Archives New Zealand No R17189098  (1944 -1966).