George Napier Johnston

When the New Zealand and Australian Division was formed in 1915, Johnston was appointed commander of its artillery.[1] This only consisted of a single brigade of 16 guns, including four howitzers, much less than the normal divisional complement of artillery.[2] Despite the lack of guns and ammunition, his work with the artillery was highly regarded during the Gallipoli Campaign.[1] In October 1915, prior to the Allied evacuation from Gallipoli, he was made a temporary brigadier-general.[3]

On establishment of the New Zealand Division in 1916 Johnston was appointed commander of its artillery[1] and promoted to lieutenant-colonel while retaining his temporary rank of brigadier-general.[4] The division deployed to France in April 1916 and his artillery spent a period in the Armentieres sector supporting the division's infantry during trench raids.[1] Two months after arriving in France he was appointed to the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for services in the field.[5] In September 1916 the divisional artillery saw extensive action during the Battle of the Somme. It supporting the troops for 56 consecutive days during the Somme battle by providing well coordinated barrages and counter fire which helped the infantry to take the majority of their objectives. This feat owed much to the proficiency of Johnston, who was awarded the Croix de Officier of the Légion d'honneur in May 1917. This French award is uncommon to New Zealanders: fewer than 100 awards have been made, and Johnston was one of only 14 members of the New Zealand Military Forces to be decorated with the Legion of Honour during the war.[6]

New Zealand artillery in action during the Battle of Broodseinde, 12 October 1917

Johnston's artillery performed well during the Battle of Messines and in the early stages of the Third Battle of Ypres, overcoming difficult conditions during the New Zealand Division's attack at Broodseinde on 4 October 1917. As ground conditions continued to deteriorate in the days leading up to the First Battle of Passchendaele, Johnston warned the commander of the division, Major-General Andrew Russell, that his artillery were not adequately prepared. Mud had affected the positioning of his artillery and prevented sufficient supplies of ammunition getting through to his guns. When the division attacked on 12 October, it failed to fulfil its key objectives.[7]

During the Hundred Days' Offensive, which began in August 1918, the nature of the fighting changed from relatively static trench combat to more mobile and open warfare as the Germans retreated in the face of Allied advances. Consequently, Johnston had to alter his tactics and use of artillery. He devised a command structure whereby his artillery batteries were attached to advancing infantry and, under the command of a senior officer at brigade headquarters, would move forward in a staggered fashion to provide continued fire support as the division advanced. The artillery of adjacent British divisions were relatively static in comparison and not as able to support rapid forward movement.[1]

By the end of the war, Johnston had been mentioned in despatches eight times[5] and appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George.[8] In early 1919 he was promoted to temporary major-general and commanded the New Zealand Division while it was stationed in Germany on occupation duty. He oversaw the disbandment of the division later that year. Discharged from the NZEF, he rejoined the British Army.[1]