ISLAND POSTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 228, 25 September 1940, Page 3

ISLAND POSTS.

DEFENCE FROM SEA.

TERRITORIALS TAKE OVER.

Auckland's defences against a sudden raid are being further tested. Following manoeuvres last week, when the First Battalion of the Auckland Regiment (Fortress Battalion) operated near Tamaki t<> repel a mythical raider, the battalion took up positions on one of the defended islands in the Hauraki Gulf on Holiday and will spend until Friday in intensive training. Following their return to their quarters at! Epsom, the members of the battalion will march through the city on Saturday and will be inspected at a ceremonial parade on Sunday. On the following day they will be demobilised. The troops and their equipment reached the island by specially chartered eteamer and on their arrival were immediately placed on a war footing. Sections were detailed to various strong points, ■where beach defence areas were .prepared to guard against surprise. Sandbags and Barbed Wire. The men showed enthusiasm in the construction of these trench systems. The use of sandbags and barbed wire played a prominent part, and both section leaders and junior officers showed skill in siting and camouflaging the 'position*. The main purpose of the preparations was to prevent a landing and penetration of the defences. Using the knowledge that h-as brought them to a high pitch of efficiency in the three months they have been mobilised, the men went about their tasks keenly. The heavy equipment necessary to house and provision a large body of men was unloaded expeditiously and distributed to the various defence areas. The first night was occupied in settling in, which was done with dispatch. Tents were erected, bedding laid out, stores established and a cookhouse improvised. This consisted of tarpaulins stretched over a framework of timber. The long, highly-efficient petrol field ovens were assembled and the evening meal was eoon bubbling merrily. In the advance points cooking arrangements were more primitive, and to the troope, infinitely more enjoyable. Each unit made its own arrangements, and these were of the picnic variety. The smoke of many cooking fires, carefully screened from the sea, soon rase over the island. At pome of them freshlycaught fish simmered.

Communication Methods. The exercises included a constant surveillance of the approaches to the various points and general reconnaieance by the intelligence section. Signallers, operating sometimes with difficulty in the uneven country, established teleplionic communication between the points and headquarters. Methods of supply were devised. A "blackberry" (motor cyclist) spent a valuable few hours in a survey of the country between the points and. by taking hie machine up sheer slopes, along ridges and down gullies, explored new communication methods. Last night a surprise attack on the island was made by some of its erstwhile defenders. Coming in by sea in an attempt to catch the defence napping, they were theoretically annihilated while attempting to storm the beaches. Innocent stretches of eandy bay developed tiers of barbed, wire and after etrugigling through this the defenders found machine-guns slitting viciously on their flanke. Then trench mortars, from their concealed positions, opened fire, completing the rout of the "enemy." The men, who are under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel C. P. Worley, V.D., are thoroughly enjoying the'ir stay on the island. The weather has been warm and fine, and the sea smooth. They are clad officially in denims, but many have discarded these in favour of ehorte, with or without shirts. Bathing trunks are also popular, and many ha*ve faced the rigours of an' earlymorning ewim. Bronzed and fit, tho end of their three months' training finds these boys keen and efficient soldiers. With few exceptions, they are by no means keen to return to their civilian occupations.