User:Stanley Bannerman/sandbox2



The territorial force was reactivated in 1949 and with 1st, 2nd and 3rd armoured regiments reformed. The New Zealand Scottish Regiment was transferred from the Infantry Corps and redesignated as an armoured car regiment. The Waikato Regiment was also transferred to the infantry corps in 1950 and amalgamated into the 1st armoured regiment. . A4th armoured regiment was also formed in 1953. The armored regimetns were equipped with valentine and stuart tanks left over from the second world war. A single centuron tank was acquired in 1950, followed by a further two in 1953. The centurions were used for trainging and demonstartions by school of armour.

In 1956 the New Zealand Army stepped back from the idea of forming a full division. The RNZAC was reduced in size with the 2nd and 3rd armoured rgeints being placed into suspended animation. The Valentine tanks were in serious need of replacment, despite consideration of aquiring more centurions, they were condiered inappropriate for south east asia and a air transportable armoured vehicle was preffered. Consequently 10 Americsn made M41a1 light tanks were ordered in 1958 and 2 armoured regiment was reactivated to operate them.

and soon retitled Queen A R 10 M41a1 ordered in 1958 shared between qamr and school of armour. arrived 1960.

In early 1961 the three armoured regiments were each reduced to a single squadron and amalgamated into a new 1st Armoured Regiment. Queen Alexandra's squadron procided the rgualr force elemnt ad the other two teritial. The 4th amroured was disbanded. in 1963 QA and WEC amalgamted into a mixed regualr/territrial squadron. 1 armoured squadron (QA's) NZscots were split into 1 and 2 scots. 7 more centurions and an arv aquried 1963, despite earlier misgivns, disposed in 1968 unservicable and lcak of spares.

Part of disposal was a change in policy to a lighter amroured force. The M113 enetred servie in 1970 and reorgansiation 1 rece (NZ scots) became an APC squadron with a lift of two comapnies. 1 arnoured sqaudron (QA) and 2 armoured (waikaro) squadron became QA (qai/WEC) and was mix regualr and teritorial. with m41 and m113.

In the late 1970s consideration was given to replacement of the M41s. Options included replacing the M41s with upgraded M41A1s or Leopard 1 main battle tanks (as were then being acquired by the Australian Army), but ultimately the FV101 Scorpion CVR(T) was selected. The Scorpion had the advantage of being light enough that two could be transported in a RNZAF C-130 Hercules. A total of 26 Scorpions were delivered in 1982 and triggered a reorganisation of the RNZAC. QA (Wai/WEC) Squadron was split into the regular force Queen Alexandra's Squadron, equipped with scorpions, and the territorial force Wai/WEC Squadron, equipped with M113s. 2 Scots was also rerolled as an anti-armour squadron equipped with 106mm recoilless rifles mounted on Land Rovers.

In 1990 the RNZAC was reorganised once again. Queen Alexandra's Squadron was split into A and B squadrons, while 1 Scots was disbanded and its regular force component reassigned to B squadron. 2 Scots was redesignated as the New Zealand Scottish Squadron (NZ Scots) and all four RNZAC squadrons were brought together under the newly formed 1st Armoured Group. A and B Squadrons proved the regular force component, equipped with Scorpions and M113s respectively, while Wai/WEC and NZ Scots Squadrons provided the Territorial Force component, equipped with M113s and Land Rovers respectively. In 1993 1 Armoured Group was retitled as Queen Alexandra's Mounted Rifles (QAMR) and Wai/WEC Squadron had their M113s replaced with Land Rovers.

By the end of the 1990s, the scorpions were in need of a major refit and the cost of acquiring spare parts from the UK was particularly high. A problem had also been discovered with the ventilation of the Scorpion and a toxic build up of fumes when firing the 76 mm gun. Despite some efforts to rectify the issue, it was considered impractical to overcome. Limited firing was allowed only with all hatches open and the driver outside the vehicle. Consequently the Scorpion was withdrawn from service in 1998 and A squadron was temporarily reequipped with Land Rovers.

In 1999 the territorial force was reorganised into multi functional battalion groups. Wai/WEC Squadron was transferred to the Hauraki Battalion Group and was retitled as Waikato squadron but in 2003 was once again retitled as Waikato Mounted Rifles Squadron. NZ Scots was transferred to the 4th Otago and Southland Battalion Group and was formerly disbanded in 2013.

By the turn of the millennium the M113 was in need of upgrade or replacement. Given the poor experience with the M113 in Bosnia, it was decided to acquire a new vehicle. The decision was made to acquire 105 LAV IIIs, with the first vehicles entering service in 2003. Initially a mixture of turretless and turreted versions was desired, but only turreted versions were available at the time of order. Soon after the New Zealand Army order was placed, the US Army ordered 3000 Strykers (a turretless derivative of the LAV III). Some of the improvements from the Stryker were, however, incorporated into the New Zealand vehicles which are known as the NZLAV. The initial plan was actual for the NZLAVs to be used to motorise 1st and 2/1st Battalions, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, while QAMR was to be disbanded. In the end only 1st Battalion was motorised and QAMR continued to exist as a single recognisance squadron also with the NZLAV.

Harry Atkinson
Atkinson joined the Taranaki Volunteer Rifles in February 1859, initially the rank of sergeant,but was elected captain in March. He led No. 2 Company throughout the First Taranaki War and saw action at the Battles of Waireka, Mahoetahi and Kaitake. Atkinson later formed a bushranger company during the Second Taranaki War was promoted to Major in February 1864. https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/1a10/atkinson-harry-albert

John Ballance
Ballance was involved in the formation of the Wanganui Yeomanry Cavalry in 1868. Initially a trooper, he was promoted to corporal after the battle of Nukumaru and later promoted to cornet. He was dismissed in 1869 after making criticism of the military high command.

https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Gov09_05Rail-t1-body-d7.html

Gordon Coates
Coates joined the Ōtamatea Mounted Rifle Volunteers and soon lead the corps. The corps became B Squadron, 11th (North Auckland) Mounted Rifles in 1911 and he cotiued to command the squadron until 1912, when he was transferred to the reserve of officers. With the outbreak of the first world war, Coates tried to enlist in 1914, but as an MP in a government which held a slim majority, was dissuaded to go. Coates ultimately joined in November 1916 and sailed to france with the 19th reinfrocemnts. In march 1917 he was psoetd second in command to the 15th (north Auckland ) company of 1st battalion, Auckland Infantry Regiment. He won a military cross at La Basseville, later transfered to and commanded the 3rd (auckalnd) company won a barto his MC at mailey amllet in march 1918 during second somme and injured in th leg. later rejoined during 100 days, returned to nz 1919.

https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/3c24/coates-joseph-gordon