Chapter 108: Journey to New Zealand
If the First Division's logistics and weapon supplies were considered lavish, then the newly reorganized mixed Guards Division was even more extravagant.
The Guards Division was composed of the Guards Infantry Regiment, the Guards Cavalry Regiment, and the Guards Artillery Regiment, with a total force of over 8,000 men.
Although it had only half the personnel of the First National Defense Division, its firepower and equipment were even more formidable.
Like the First Division, the Guards Infantry Regiment consisted of just over 3,000 men, but it had more heavy machine gun companies, and thus, more machine guns.
Although it had only one regiment, the Guards Infantry Regiment was equipped with thirteen heavy machine guns—half the number of those found in a standard German division.
Each soldier in the Cavalry Regiment was issued three horses for rotation, as well as a lance, sidearm, and longsword.
In an era before the advent of tanks, cavalry still held considerable destructive power. Although the Guards Cavalry Regiment was not equipped with heavy machine guns, it had two mounted artillery companies.
These companies were equipped with CA-1 autocannons and M1987 automatic cannons—relatively small-caliber weapons, but due to their automatic firing capability, their firepower was anything but weak.
The Artillery Regiment was even more impressive. The Guards Artillery Regiment had four artillery battalions. Each battalion was equipped with ten CA-1 autocannons, five M1987 automatic cannons, and five 105mm howitzers. That meant one artillery regiment boasted eighty cannons—firepower surpassing that of standard European divisions.
The Guards Division's training grounds were near Sydney, not far from the capital. This was, of course, to ensure the protection of the capital and the royal family.
Naturally, the proximity also meant logistical supply chains were less strained.
Even when the entire division was training, fewer than 2,000 native workers were needed to maintain its logistical needs.
Beyond weaponry and equipment, the soldiers of the Guards Division enjoyed better pay and benefits than those in the First Division.
This was largely because the royal family bore the cost of the Guards Division, while the Ministry of Defense was responsible for the First Division's expenses.
If the First Division's food supply ensured quantity and offered limited choices, then the Guards Division's food was simply a free-for-all.
Yes, that's right—free choice. Each meal typically included more than ten dishes, and soldiers could select whatever they wanted to eat.
On holidays, they could even order custom meals. As long as the price was within reason, dishes would be specially prepared for them.
This level of logistical support easily outmatched most armies in the world and helped Arthur win the complete loyalty and affection of the Guards Division's soldiers.
Beyond basic supplies, the soldiers' pay was highly attractive—around twenty pounds annually.
Though this was still lower than wages in some European armies, in Australia it placed them among the high-income earners.
Moreover, whether in the Guards or the First Division, soldiers' salaries were not fixed.
As Australia's per capita income increased, so too would soldiers' pay. Arthur aimed to ensure that soldiers always earned more than the national average. In the Guards Division, pay was double the national average—one of the key reasons for the troops' loyalty.
After all, joining the military always carried risk. To earn a soldier's allegiance, one must not only ensure strong logistical support, but also provide generous and punctual pay.
Arthur took the issue of soldiers' pay very seriously and assigned full responsibility for it to the Royal Bank.
Salaries were paid twice a year, in spring and autumn. On payday, the Royal Bank would distribute pre-prepared checks to all soldiers.
Using these checks, soldiers could withdraw the equivalent amount in pounds or other currencies from the Royal Bank.
Of course, once Arthur issued a new currency in the future, they could convert their wages into the new money as well.
The First Division's salaries were managed by the Ministry of Defense, but Arthur still gave explicit instructions.
For any country, no matter what, the wages of soldiers must never be withheld or delayed.
After all, the military was a crucial force for maintaining national stability and political power—even Arthur himself needed the military to uphold his rule.
While building the military, Arthur was also planning other moves.
On March 27, 1902, the Australian Relief Committee set foot on New Zealand soil for the first time, arriving in Wellington, the capital of British New Zealand.
The Royal Relief Committee's officials were warmly welcomed by the New Zealanders.
Of course, this was to be expected. The officials were there to help the poor, implementing policies similar to Australia's welfare system.
They came bringing money and food—how could any New Zealander possibly not welcome that? If they didn't, people might well question their sanity.
As for British New Zealand's history, it was deeply connected to Australia.
More than 60 years ago, New Zealand was still under Australian colonial rule, without its own separate colonial administration.
It wasn't until 1841 that it split from Australia and became the Colony of New Zealand under British rule.
But that didn't erase the deep ties between Australia and New Zealand.
In actual history, when Australia was establishing its dominion, New Zealand had considered joining but ultimately didn't.
Though Britain dissuaded New Zealand from joining Australia, this alone showed how much the New Zealanders respected Australia.
Although today's Australia had taken a different path from history, becoming a new principality, New Zealand had still proposed to join—only to be rejected by Britain, then under the leadership of Crown Prince Edward.
At the time, Queen Victoria had already retired to the Isle of Wight for her health.
By the time Queen Victoria learned of the rejection, it was too late. Nevertheless, she managed to include New Zealand under Arthur's authority through alternative means, albeit for a nominal twenty-year term.
Alongside the Royal Relief Committee, Arthur himself also traveled to New Zealand with a guard escort.
Stepping once again onto New Zealand soil, Arthur was filled with emotion.
The last time he had come, Queen Victoria was still alive. Now, returning to New Zealand, much had changed—not only the world, but also Arthur's own identity.
If the last time he came to New Zealand he was a guest, this time—arriving as a governor—he had become the master.
(End of Chapter)
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