MOCK BATTLE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 221, 17 September 1940, Page 3

MOCK BATTLE.

"RAIDERS" REPELLED. EXERCISES THIS WBEK. A realistic '"battle" will be fought near Auckland on Thursday and Friday, when the city and main trunk line will be defended against a raid by an enemy Power. The exercise is a tactical one for the Auckland Regiment (Fortress Battalion), and is intended to test the mobility and tactical handling of the battalion, numbering about 1000 men. For the purposes of the manoeuvres, it is assumed that a Power has declared war on Great Britain, and while it is not considered, as far as New Zealand is conce.rned, that- a delinite occupation is proposed by the enemy, at least occasional raiding parties are definitely within the bounds of possibility. At G. 30 p.m. to-morrow a report will l>e received that a northern coast watching station has reported that two unidentified ships had passed south, but owing to darkness closing and poor visibility it had been impossible to obtain a more definite report.

Territorial units are advised of this report through the normal channels during the night, these units being disposed at various camp areas round the city. The coastline is patrolled by sections from Mounted Rifle units. During the early morning of Thursday a thick fog envelopes the harbour and visibility is bad. Bridge "Seized." But the fog begins to lift, and shortly before 8 a.m. the officer commanding the Auckland Regiment is advised that an enemy party, estimated at approximately 600, has passed up an arm of the harbour in barges, seized a bridge, and is disembarking on the west bank of the estuary about three-quarters of a mile above the bridge. The commander is instructed to immediately prepare his battalion for a move and to dispatch without delay two sections of the motor cycle platoon for a reconnaissance. Ten minutes later he receives from his brigade headquarters the information that the enemy, having safely effected a landing, has as yet made no advance inland, and that contact has been made with him by a squadron of Mounted l'ifles. But it is not anticipated that any further Mounted Rifles will be available to resist the enemy's advance. Owing to the proximity of the main north-south railway line all traffic has been (in theory) diverted to an alternative route. It is imperative that this route be kept clear of enemy interference. With this object in view it becomes necessary for the battalion to move immediately by transport to a concentration area, and orders are issued. | At 9.25 a section of the motor cycle platoon returns to report that "the enemy are making preparations to move and that the other section has remained out to report further. Then a second section of the motor cyclists returns to report that the enemy is moving in a due westerly direction, but that a determined resistance is being made by the Mounted Rifles, who are, however, heavily outnumbered. Defence Holds On. The next report to come indicates that the Mounted Rifles are being gradually forced to yield ground and that the enemy are within 300 yards of the railway line. But the defending troops hold on and, though they suffer heavy casualties and are in an exhausted condition, the enemy is kept from the line. It is essential that the brigade take up a defensive position at the earliest possible moment. During the afternoon the brigade assumes a defensive position and consolidates. In the early hours of Friday morning reports are received that the enemy has advanced, but that no further landings have been effected since the previous morning. One of his armed transports has been sunk by our naval forces and the other has escaped. The Air Force makes an aerial reconnaissance to ascertain if any further landings have been attempted. If reports are satisfactory the defending force then launches an attack to drive the enemy from his present position and eventually back to the sea. The most valuable training points in the operations are the movement by daylight to a concentration area, occupation of a defensive position, daylight reconnaissance, inter-company relief" in a defensive position during the hours of darkness, reconnaissance during darkness with a view to an attack on a battalion front, and a daylight attack on located enemy positions.