The Royal New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps (RNZAOC) and its predecessors were responsible for crucial storekeeping duties, ensuring the supply of Clothing, Camp Equipment, Ammunition, Arms, and Accessories to New Zealand’s Military Forces. As the Second World War unfolded, the complexity of military storekeeping transformed dramatically, encompassing a wide array of military equipment, including vehicles, communications gear, and mechanical plant. These new assets were deployed in massive numbers and necessitated many accessories and intricate repair parts to keep them operational. To streamline control and provide an optimal system, the RNZAOC implemented significant measures in 1963. They established RNZAOC Stores Sections within the Royal New Zealand Electrical and Mechanical Engineer (RNZEME) workshops. In addition, the Auto Parts trade was initiated in 1965, reinforcing the overall process. This article offers an enlightening and sweeping overview of how the Mechanical Transport Branch (MT Branch) and the RNZAOC effectively managed Mechanical Transport Stores (MT Stores) from 1939 to 1963.

In 1939, as the New Zealand Army mobilised, it aimed to seamlessly integrate into a larger British army, much like in the First World War. The British army had already embraced modern technology, making it highly motorised and technologically advanced so that ‘By the time of the invasion of Poland, the British Army in Europe was rather more motorised than the German Army.’[1]. Some aspects of this advanced doctrine made its way to New Zealand in the late 1930s with modern equipment like Bren Guns and Universal carriers. The army had even conducted some basic experiments in motorisation. However, due to interwar defence policies and financial constraints, the New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps (NZAOC) was not efficiently organised like its counterpart, the Royal Army Ordnance Corps (RAOC), in the United Kingdom. Consequently, the NZAOC was unprepared to function effectively when the war began.

During the Second World War, it was as if New Zealand maintained two separate armies. The first was the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force (2nd NZEF), fully equipped with combat units, supporting arms, and logistic units. These forces were organised according to modified War Office Establishment tables, with G1098 stores directly drawn from British stocks. [2]  The second army was the NZ Army at home, also organised according to War Office Establishment tables. However, a New Zealand logistical base provided its equipment needs and G1098 Stores.

This dichotomy in organisation and preparedness highlighted New Zealand’s challenges as it strived to align itself with modern military practices while operating within the constraints of its resources and policy decisions.

In 1939, the NZAOC was constrained by interwar defence limitations, primarily focusing on supplying and maintaining clothing, equipment, ammunition, and weapons. Despite the army possessing 56 vehicles, the NZAOC lacked substantial experience in supporting Mechanical Transport (MT) at the scale the rapidly growing army required. Most senior leadership had been seconded to the 2nd NZEF, which hindered the NZAOC’s ability to expand effectively during the critical early wartime years.

Recognising the urgent need to expand and manage the Army’s MT fleet, the Quartermaster General (QMG) took a bold step away from convention and established a separate MT Branch. This move allowed the NZAOC to focus on its core responsibilities. At the same time, the MT Branch managed and maintained the multitude of purchased or impressed vehicles required by the military.

Drawing inspiration from the Royal Army Ordnance Corps (RAOC) in the United Kingdom, the MT Branch wisely leveraged the expertise of the New Zealand Motor industry. Many of its staff were directly recruited from the motor industry into the New Zealand Temporary Staff (NZTS), ensuring a wealth of specialised knowledge and experience was brought to the forefront of this critical military function. During the early years of the war, the NZ Military primarily relied on civilian vehicles impressed into service. They initially purchased existing stock from New Zealand’s motor manufacturers and dealerships to ensure an adequate supply of MT spares. However, as the war continued, the influx of new vehicles, equipment, and spares from the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and the United States necessitated significant expansion of the MT Branch.

By December 1942, the MT Branch consisted of,[3]

• MT Workshops
  • 1 MT Workshops, Trentham
• • 2 MT Workshop, Waiouru
• • 3 MT Workshops, Papakura
• • 4 MT Workshops, Whangarei
• • 5 MT Workshops, Palmerston North
• • 6 MT Workshops, Wellington
• • 7 MT Workshops, Blenheim
• • 8 MT Workshops, Burnham
  • 9 MT Workshop, Dunedin
• MT Depots providing pools of vehicles.
  • 1 MT Depot, Auckland
• • 2 MT Depot, Hamilton
• • 3 MT Depot, Napier
• • 4 MT Depot, Wanganui
  • 5 MT Deport, Christchurch
• MT Stores Depots providing MT spares, tools and equipment for MT Workshops and Depots
  • 1 Base MT Stores Depot, Wellington
• • 2 MT Stores Depot, Auckland
• • 3 MT Stores Depot, Wellington
• • 4 MT Stores Depot, Christchurch
  • 7 MT Stores Depot, Blenheim

Freed from the burden of managing MT, the Chief Ordnance Officer (COO) with NZAOC, Territorial units of the New Zealand Ordnance Corps (NZOC) and personnel from the NZTS would provide.

•  All natures of stores and equipment, other than rations, forage, and fuel.
• The repair and maintenance of armaments and equipment, including.
  • Light Aid Detachments and mobile workshops to provide 1^st and 2^nd line support across Field Force Units
  • Armament and General Engineering Workshops.
    • Main Ordnance Workshop, Trentham
    • 11 Ordnance Workshop, Whangarei
    • 12 Ordnance Workshop, Devonport
    • 13 Ordnance Workshop, Blenheim
    • 14 Ordnance Workshop, Burnham
    • 15 Ordnance Workshop, Dunedin

As of 31 March 1944, the MT Stores Depots had undergone significant reorganisation and successfully handled the following quantities of Tyres and MT Parts:

180 different sizes of Tyres

• Purchased from overseas – 83174.
• Purchased in New Zealand – 12534
• Total Purchased – 95708
• Transferred to Supply Department – 11018
• Other issues – 28700
• In stock 31/3/1944 – 55990
  • Reserved for Supply Department – 2000
  • General – 35990
• Used tyres recapped and re-treaded – 9983.
• Reconditioned tyres reissued – 7301.
• Reconditioned tyres in stock 31 March 1944 – 2682

M.T. Parts. (Not including body-building material)

• Received from overseas (Total of 9182 Tons)
  • Wheeled vehicles, parts- 20472 Packages
  • Tracked vehicles, parts – 39408 Packages.
  • Tracked vehicles, tracks – 8280 Bundled.
• Packages broken down and binned – 23895.
• Packages transferred to United States Forces – 1050
• Packages in Bulk Store – 43215

Shipments of MT Parts and Tyres to the Pacific

• 3 Division – 1149 Tons
• Fiji – 406 Tons
• Tonga – 112 Tons
• Norfolk – 30 Tons

1944 MT Stores Organisation

• Base MT Stores Depot, Wellington.
  • 8 Officers
  • 103 Other Ranks
    • Depot No 7, 186-200 Wakefield Street, Wellington, Rented, 3353 Square Meters, Main Base Store for parts, tools, etc. Administrative Offices.
    • Depot No 8, 102 Wakefield Street, Wellington, Rented, 1115 Square Meters, Bulk Tyre Store.
    • Depot No 9, 97 Taranaki Street, Rented, 1300 Square Meters, Parts etc for AFV.
    • Depot No 10, Cable Street, Wellington, Rented, 1821 Square Meters, Bulk part store.
    • Depot No 11, George Street, Wellington Rented, 238 Square Meters, Bulk store for heavy parts, AFV.
    • Depot No 11, Taranaki Street, Wellington, Rented, 186 Square Meters, Bulk stores for heavy parts, AFV.
    • Depot No 12, Coutts Street, Kilbirnie, Rented, 232 Square Meters, Bulk store for body-building material.
    • Depot No 13, 129 Tory Street, Wellington, Rented, 279 Square Meters,  Bulk Store – Steel
    • Depot No 14, Gracefield, Petone, Govt Store, 1542 Square Meters, Bulk Store – General
    • Depot No 15, Gracefield, Petone, Govt Store, 1579 Square Meters, Bulk Tyre Store
    • Depot No 15, Kent Terrace, Wellington, Rented, 881 Square Meters, Bulk Tyre Store
    • Depot No 16, Gracefield, Petone, Govt Store, 1412 Square Meters, Bulk Store – General
    • Depot No 17, Gracefield, Petone, Govt Store, 1709 Square Meters, Bulk Store – General
    • Depot No 18, General Motors, Petone, Special, 743 Square Meters, Parts Store – GM Products
    • Depot No 19, General Motors, Petone, Special, 743 Square Meters, Parts Store – Ford Products
    • Depot No 20, Luke’s Lane, Wellington, Rented, 409 Square Meters, Body-building material.
    • Depot No 21, Gracefield, Petone, Govt Store, 1951 Square Meters, Bulk Store – General
• “Advanced Base Stores Depot, Northern Military District
  • 1 Officer
  • 26 Other Ranks
    • Depot No 2, Hood Street, Hamilton, Rented, 809 Square Meters, Parts and Tyres
    • Depot No 3, Drill Hall, Hamilton, Government, 372 Square Meters, Bulk Store
• Advanced Base Stores Depot, Central Military District
  • 1 Officer
  • 17 Other Ranks
    • Depot No 4, 83 King Street, Palmerston North, Rented, 650 Square Meters, Parts Store
    • Depot No 5, Showgrounds, Palmerston North, Rented, 1338 Square Meters, Tyres and bulk parts.
    • Depot No 6, Palmerston North, Rented, 310 Square Meters, Bulk Parts
• Advanced Base Stores Depot, Southern Military District
  • 1 Officer
  • 21 Other Ranks
    • Depot No 26, Kilmore Street, Christchurch, Rented, 986 Square Meters, Parts and Tyres
    • Depot No 27a, Litchfield Street, Christchurch, Rented, 418 Square Meters, AFV Parts
    • Depot No 27b, Christchurch, Rented, 465 Square Meters, Used Tyres.[4]

Post War

Before the war, the NZAOC was not effectively organised to fulfil its functions. However, after the war, there was an opportunity to reorganise the NZAOC to align it with the organisational structures and procedures of the RAOC (Royal Army Ordnance Corps), which included the management of vehicles and MT Spares. Originally intended as a temporary wartime organisation, the MT Branch would have its wartime responsibilities integrated into the reorganised NZAOC. Additionally, a newly established NZEME (New Zealand Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) would take on specific roles as part of the overall restructuring.[5]

MT Workshops

From 1 September 1946, the MT Branch Workshops and the Ordnance Workshops were integrated into the newly established NZEME organisation.[6]

MT Vehicle Depots

Following the return of many impressed vehicles to their original owners or their disposal during the war, the MT Vehicle Depots were left with a significant inventory of military vehicles. To streamline operations, responsibility for the MT Vehicle Depots was transferred to the RNZAOC on 1 September 1947, establishing the RNZAOC Vehicle Depots at Sylvia Park, Trentham, and Burnham.[7]

MT Spares Depots

On 1 April 1948, after conducting multiple audits and stocktakes, MT Stores handed over spare parts, tools, and accessories to the RNZAOC. To ensure smooth management of MT Stores, the RNZAOC established MT Spares Groups at the Main Ordnance Depot (MOD) in Trentham and the Northern and Southern District Ordnance Depots.

The supply system for MT Stores involved RNZEME workshops holding a small stock managed by RNZEME Stores Staff. Replenishment was through Local Purchase or the supporting District Ordnance Depot, MT Group. An exception existed with the Central Districts Workshops at Waiouru and Linton, which demanded supplies directly from the MOD MT Stores Group at Trentham. This issue was resolved in 1954 when the Central Districts Ordnance Depot at Linton was authorised to establish an MT Stores Depot, streamlining the process.

By 1961, the NZ Army vehicle fleet underwent a significant transition, with the older World War Two era vehicles, including Chevrolets, Fords, and GMCs, being replaced by a modern fleet of Bedford’s and Land Rovers. As the vehicle fleet transitioned, the management of MT Stores was also reviewed, leading to several changes implemented between 1961 and 1962.

Workshop Stores Sections

A transformative era commenced in 1962, as the RNZAOC Workshop Stores Sections emerged as integrated powerhouses within the following RNZEME Workshops:

• Northern Districts Workshops
• Central Districts Workshops
• Central Districts Armament and General Workshops
• Central Districts MT Workshops
• Southern District Workshops

This momentous shift witnessed 50% of the new Stores Sections’ staff comprised of RNZEME personnel, transitioning into the RNZAOC, heralding an unparalleled synergy, propelling these sections to new heights of efficiency and effectiveness. Thus, a legacy of innovation and collaboration was born, forever changing the landscape of logistical excellence.[8]

Ordnance Deport MT Stores Groups

A transformative restructuring unfolded with the inception of RNZAOC Stores Sections, triggering a series of cascading changes. The District Ordnance Depot, MT Stores Groups, underwent a reroll, transforming into Technical Stores Groups, relinquishing their hold on MT Stores with MT Stores stocks reallocated to the new Stores Sections, initially equipped with a six-month inventory, later streamlined to three months from January 1963. Any surplus stock from the District Ordnance Depots found a new home in the MOD, optimising resource allocation.

By the close of 1963, RNZAOC Stores Sections had firmly established their presence within the RNZEME Workshops. Beyond merely providing MT Spares, they evolved to encompass a comprehensive array of repair parts and spares essential for workshop operations. Within the RNZAOC, these sections fostered their distinct identity and culture, paving the way for introducing the RNZAOC Auto Parts and Accessories trade in 1965.

Conclusion

The RNZAOC and its predecessors played a vital role in storekeeping duties, supplying essential items to New Zealand’s Military Forces, including clothing, camp equipment, ammunition, arms, and accessories. During the Second World War, military storekeeping became more complex, involving various military equipment, vehicles, communications gear, and mechanical plant.

The MT Branch had managed MT Stores during the war, but post-war reorganisation integrated these responsibilities into the RNZAOC. Additionally, the NZEME assumed specific roles within the restructuring. To streamline operations, the RNZAOC implemented significant measures in 1963. They established RNZAOC Stores Sections within the RNZEME workshops, integrating RNZEME Stores personnel into the RNZAOC. This move facilitated unmatched synergy and efficiency, transforming the logistical landscape.

Overall, the RNZAOC Stores Sections became an integral part of the RNZEME workshops, providing not only MT Spares but also a full range of repair parts and spares. This collaboration fostered a unique culture and set the stage for introducing the RNZAOC Auto Parts and Accessories trade in 1965. The RNZAOC’s evolution enhanced logistical excellence and efficiency, significantly impacting New Zealand’s military operations.

Notes

[1] Jonathan Fennell, Fighting the people’s war : the British and Commonwealth armies and the Second World War, Armies of the Second World War, (Cambridge University Press, 2019), Non-fiction, 32.

[2]  Army Form G1098, the Unit Equipment Table giving the entitlement to stores and equipment.

[3] “Staff – Motor transport branch,” Archives New Zealand Item No R22438851  (1942).

[4] “Appendices to Report on QMG (Quartermaster-General’s) Branch,” Archives New Zealand Item No R25541151  (30 June 1944), .

[5] “Organisation – Policy and General – Royal New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps 1946-1984,” Archives New Zealand Item No R17311537  (1946).

[6] The NZEME would gain royal status in 1947 as the Royal New Zealand Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RNZEME).

[7] Peter Cooke, Warrior Craftsmen, RNZEME 1942-1996 (Wellington: Defense of New Zealand Study Group, 2017), 189.

[8] “Organisation – Policy and General – Royal New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps 1946-1984.”