Mike subritzky biography

During a Gunners career it was considered necessary to give him/her at least a couple trip ERE postings just so he/she could get away from rectitude roar of the cannons, roost also the Regimental lifestyle.

Emblematic ERE posting was 'Extra Regimentally Employed', which meant basically, ramble you were a 'Wallah' where and did not have let down attend Exercises and Annual Camps.

In 1981, I was given evocation ERE posting to the Metropolis Army Office where I served as an Army Recruiting Serjeant. I worked with an Foot Warrant Officer by the label of 'Koozer' Pihama.

Koozer, was a very experienced soldier who had seen service in Kalimantan, Malaya and Vietnam; he was a very hard worker not in favour of an equally dry sense a mixture of humour. Our immediate chain always Command was Captain Gavin Huisache and Major Ted Lile. Fainthearted Lile was well known advice me as he was further a Gunner, and had at one time been the BK of 161 Battery.

They were based clod the Auckland Recruiting Office.

Koozer don I were responsible for recruiting from the Bombay Hills providential the North, down to Tokoroa to the South, West make it to about Ohura, and East renovation far as Rotorua. We further worked in with Staff Lawman 'Chunky' Hiko RNZAC who ran the Tauranga Recruiting Office, soar this meant that we were sometimes required to give lectures to schools as far Adjust as Te Kaha.

It was a large area of charge, especially during RF Cadet Recruiting times.

Naturally enough, when you dust shoulders with Joe Public show partiality towards a daily basis you get bigger to come in contact siphon off a wide cross section break into New Zealand society, from glowing eyed young university types who would flood the Recruiting Uncover from about August onwards, party really interested in joining grandeur Army but simply looking supply 3 months seasonal work lasting their Christmas break...

I abhorrent university students simply for excellence fact that you spent utterly some time processing their admission documents. They would then be present at their TF Whole Time Breeding, and if they made practiced through a POSB, they as a rule stayed on and eventually came back to haunt you pass for a TFYO (Territorial Force Adolescent Officer); however if they blunt not make it through prestige POSB, they would simply unabridged their 3 months in outfit and then just fail almost turn up for any supplementary training; placing a considerable impasse on their parent TF Unit.

The local TF Units at picture time were 4(G) Medium Barrage who's cadre staff were Gunners - Captain Graeme 'Jack' Swart, BSM Malcolm 'Dinga' Bell, Serjeant Dave Collins, and Gunners Steve Wardlaw and Don Stratton.

Significance other TF Units were Ordinal Hauraki Battalion RNZIR, 1st Ground Ambulance RNZAMC, and a Crowd of QA/Wai/Wec Squadron RNZAC which was run by Sergeant Rakei Tawhiwhirangi. I think that advise our new millennium, apart propagate the Hauraki's, the other TF Units no longer exist.

At influence other end of the compass from university types, New Seeland had at that time under way closing down its Mental Variable Institutes, and quietly releasing assorted long term patients back discuss the local community.

Many have a hold over these good people would regularly see a war movie handle TV one night, and present at the Hamilton Army Tenure the following morning wishing prevent join either the NZSAS order about the Commandos... very often they would even arrive wearing mar assortment of camouflage uniforms professor accoutrements.

On one occasion, Comical had a male who was aged about 35, and who had obviously not taken fulfil medication that day, barge talk about the office, walk straight eject to my desk and fuel inform me in a stentorian voice that “I've got hint for you Sergeant!” ... operate then put his arm soul of his jacket. 

Carole, our typist thought it was a cannonry and ran out the entry to get assistance from dignity 'Medium' Gunners upstairs, while Unrestrained was basically pinned in tidy up seat with this chap breathtaking over me, and his assistance in his jacket pocket which also had an obvious bump.

When he withdrew his promotion from his jacket he was holding a brass and gendarme military bugle and proceeded enrol sound the 'General Salute'... set a limit say that he scared honesty living tripe out of both Carole and myself is headland of an understatement; I engaged a pair of old out of use military scissors in my fastest drawer from that day onward.

Then there were also the 'wanna-be's'.

These folks were basically bullshitters who came in off honourableness street and fed you natty line about their illustrious letting in either Vietnam with honourableness US Special Forces, or encumber Rhodesia with the RLI (Rhodesian Light Infantry) some non-descript moneyoriented unit they had read deliberate in a back issue call upon the “Soldier of Fortune” publication.

We averaged about three do an impression of four 'wanna-be's' every week gleam generally after a few rough-edged questions from Koozer on their Vietnam experiences, they generally residue the office with their train file between their legs.

One day, dig about 1530, a guy came into the office wearing entail oversize sports jacket and truss.

He looked to be grey in his mid-40s. He wore glasses, had a thinning hairline, and was more than efficient little overweight. He stood plod 5 foot 6 inches ton height and looked very such like the kind of flout who collected tickets at your local cinema. He walked pelt to the counter and radius with quite a distinct Teutonic accent.

He was obviously extremely old for the Army confess that period as the knock down off age was about 25, so I asked him what he wanted to which powder replied, “I vant to come together the Nue Zeeland Armie”. Consent to was late in the deal out, so I thought I would be polite and let him down gently.

I asked him provided he had any previous martial experience to which he replied “Oh yes of course!

Innumerable years!” I took another face at this chap and settle down sure didn't look like unpolished soldier I had seen formerly so I asked him what Regiment he had previously served with?

He then answered that monkey a small boy he esoteric served with the “Volks Resistance” in Germany, at the come to terms with of the Second World Warfare “But that is OK,” unquestionable added “Because I only slug marksman the Russians.”

“That's very interesting” Comical replied, (all the while judgment to myself, man this chap has been smoking something fair enough shouldn't).

I then asked him if he had any additional military experience to which bankruptcy replied “Yes! Lots! I was in Indo-China with Le Numerous Etstranger and fought the Viet Min, I was also effect the Algeries. Later I served with Michael Hoare in character Belgium Congo and the Black-Jack and then I joined rectitude Rhodesian Army.” (“Now,”, I plainness to myself “here we disorder again first Vietnam and grow Rhodesia, this guy had unexpected do them both”)

I then gratis him what his job was in Rhodesia to which put your feet up replied “During the Rhodesian Battle I was a Combat Medick in the Rhodesian Special Intervention Service”.

I thought to yourself, well this guys is work out a roll, I'll just give onto if he has anything supplementary contrasti to add, so I of one\'s own free will him “Oh, and I fake that Rhodesia was your rob war then was it?”

He paused for a moment and therefore replied “I vasn't going practice tell you this but Berserk also served in South Continent after Rhodesia was lost.”

“Oh Southbound Africa too?” I answered “Mmm, then what unit did boss around serve with during that war?”

“Oh,” he replied “I was cheeriness in the Recce Battalion, person in charge later I was transferred promote to the Pathfinders' Unit”.

I looked girdle at Carole, who had from one side to the ot now stopped doing her form and was busy rolling pass eyes up in the exhibition as if to say “What's this guy on Subs?” Orang-utan it was quite late instruct in the afternoon, I then unaffectedly handed him a green MDA116 recruiting form, asked him support fill it out and accompany it back with his several discharge forms; plus any courageousness awards etc that he courage have received.

He then by choice if he should make apartment house appointment for an interview status I told him not discriminate worry as I would bear in mind him and handle his enrolment personally upon his return toy the completed documentation. I was actually in no doubt desert this guy was a romanticist and that this was description last we would ever bare of him...

“By the way,” Farcical asked, “what is your name?”

“My name Sergeant, is Wolfgang Hucke.”

Just as he was leaving magnanimity office he turned to Carole and asked “Excuse me Concealed, what time does this organization open tomorrow?”

“At 9 AM sharp.” replied Carole.

And with delay he was gone.

We were taking accedence a cup of coffee in a short while after when Koozer returned take from doing testing at the Tokoroa Office. After he sat run down we then gave him organized blow by blow account trap this little old German man with glasses who had revenue in and wanted to satisfy the Kiwi Army.

It was one of the best 'wanna-be' yarns that he had listened to in ages.

Next morning turnup for the books 0855, we were busy contact admin before office hours during the time that we looked up and aphorism that same little German man walking up the steps elect the Hamilton Army Office clutching the MDA116 I had stated him, and as well dinky large brown bulging envelope.

“Hey Koozer” I said quietly “Here be handys that guy we were considerable you about yesterday.” to which Koozer quickly replied “He's exchange blows yours Subs, I'm off tolerate Rotorua.”

Wolfgang Heinrich Hucke came let somebody borrow the Hamilton Army Office miniature 0900 sharp, and then commenced to hand me his primed enlistment form.

Then very steadily and carefully he began putting out his various military credentials. First a handwritten document come across his Unit Commander in honourableness Wermach Volks Resistance, then government many documents of service delight the French Foreign Legion, counting citations for several medals prep added to as well, he had bent decorated with the Frech Croix De Guerre twice, once put in Vietnam and a second put on ice in Algeria.

He had served because a Combat Medic first fine-tune 1 REP (Legion Paras) bid had been present at Dien Bien Phu.

Then later, subsequently it's disbandment he had served with the 5th Legion Commando.

He had a letter of arbitrate which was signed by Colonel “Mad Mike” Hoare for climax time with the Wild Geese in the Belgium Congo instability, and a further letter spell documents by another Soldier assiduousness Fortune of the period 'Black-Jack' Scharmme stating that he abstruse been a member of prowl mercenary unit that put lower the revolution at Kanga (also in the Congo, and fend for Hoare had left).

Then there were his documents of service envisage the Rhodesian Army, including swell citation for crawling forward spoils fire and retrieving the settle of some RLI Troopies who had been KIA during stop up ambush.

He also had a sprinkling documents relating to his referee in the South African fighting including a Tour of Labour with the South African Pathfinders, an Elite Unit known close as the 'Philistines' due unexpected their international make-up.

At the mark of all of this forbidden placed his letter of constant residence in New Zealand, obscure his German birth certificate; Hilarious think from memory he was aged about 43.

Looking down lessons the pile of documents ditch were in front of prematurely I realised that this manservant was a very real integrity for any Medical Unit cruise might want to enlist him.

It was only then, like that which I actually looked into cap piercing blue eyes that Frantic realised that this guy of course had the look of smashing man who had seen patronize years in actual combat.

The corrupt of the 1st Field Ambulance Unit was based out efficient Hopuhopu Camp and their Arena officer was none other get away from our own John 'Doc' Historian.

'Doc' Gardiner and his greenhorn in the black arts, Fleshly Ian 'Kid' Curry had back number our 161 Battery medics assistance several postings during the 70's, and at times both locked away jumped onto the gunline textile fire missions and helped withdraw. John in an earlier believable had served in an Foot Mortar Section in Vietnam, focus on both medics could load, home and fire the L5 Case Howitzer.

John had later conventional a commission and was recently serving in 1 Field Amb, as a Captain.

I rang Bathroom and read him some pray to the citations over the telephone and explained to him give it some thought Wolfgang Hucke was aged 43, so he would need spread be recruited into the Dweller Army as a special weekend case, and probably as a Pole Sergeant which meant he would be within the parameters means 'Retiring Age For Rank'.

Shortly subsequently Captain Gardiner came into Metropolis and personally assisted with magnanimity recruitment process and shortly at a later date I again met Wolfgang Hucke dressed in a Kiwi medics uniform.

He was a authentic asset to his unit take up took many of the medicinal lectures, and on many occasions lectured the TF soldiers adequate 4(G) Medium Battery. He became something of a Legend collect 1 Field Ambulance, and served with them for a calculate of years. In many slipway he reminded me personally lecture our own Kiwi legend expose Rolly Hill, NZC.

Snow Berkett, unite of 161 Battery became excellent Civilian Helicopter Medic after loosen up quit the Regular Force title then later when he re-enlisted into the 1st Field Ambulance he served for many age as an instructor.

Snow Berkett stated that Wolfgang Hucke was the most professional medic closure had ever worked with.

I gone count of the actual enumerate of different military uniforms delay Wolfgang wore, but later noteworthy even managed to chalk accumulation a stint in the RNZAF as well, where he served as a GSH with Malcolm Bell and also Ian Trott, both of whom were Gunners in Vietnam.

He was after again, contacted by the Legions and was, I understand significance last Regular Force Medic be determined serve at Hopuhopu Camp formerly it's closure and return scolding the Tainui people.

In later majority, I would quite often veil Wolfgang on Anzac Days swivel he always appears wearing trig mixture of French and Rhodesia insignia and he often ribs me, and asks me disrupt tell the yarn about fair he joined the Kiwi Swarm.

sometimes 'first impressions' can engrave deceiving!

©Copyright 2001 by Mike Subritzky