MOCK ATTACK

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 123, 27 May 1942, Page 8

MOCK ATTACK

MOUNTAIN DEFENCES

MANOEUVRES IN SYRIA

iN.Z E; F OfTViPI Correspondent) BKIRCT, May 22. With pack gun-', mortars. Rrencarriers, \ew Zealanders. representing German mountain troops, today attacked the \evv Zealand defences somewhere in the hills of Syria. in the first mountain manoeuvres the division has undertaken overseas. I'mpires awarded tlir dav to thi' defenders, the llawke's Hay company. Mark clouds were rolling over peaks, and icy winds swept drifts of rain down the slopes the attackers in shirts, shorts and great coats, moved into position ready to advance. Mules of an Indian mountain battery tood quietlv under stunted cedars and the infantry crouched between rocks for shelter. Attack orders were given by an Auckland colonel in sight of the detenders' lines, and were qttiekl.v passed on. Mule teams ran forward, and two minutes later guns were registering on their targets. Scouting carriers, who hot up defending patrols, preceded the infantry across the scrub and tussock-covered hillsides. forward radios reported weakly held points and, as the infantry sections thrust up gullies and over saddles, mortars in carriers went into action, and mountain guns moved up closer in support. With machine-gun fire and sharp rushes the defenders were forced li'dtn their outposts and fell back 011 their main defences. The a't ickers swept on and cleared these also, but the umpires ruled that they had been wiped out. The day ended with the defences intact.