DEFENCE NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 45, 16 November 1907, Page 10

DEFENCE NOTES.

(By Echelon.)

Secretaries of Vohinteor Corps and Rlflo Clubs tira invited to contribute items o[ interest tor insertion in this column. COAST DEFENCE. in. In his third article on Coast Defence (published in the "Haversack"), "Garrison Gunnor"' reviews tho principal attacks by tho Japanese warships on the fortified harbours of Port Arthur and Yladivostock during the late war. FIRST ATTACK ON PORT ARTHUR. "This was a torpedo-boat raid, on tho night of the Bth-9th February, 1904. A flotilla of Japanese destroyers attacked the Russian, fleet which was anchored outside the entrance to Port Arthur. It was a dark night, tho attack having been timed to take jjace about midnight, and after the moon had set. War had not been formally declared, and the precautions taken by both forts and ships were inadequate. The guns of the forts were not manned, for the searchlights were not working, and mines had not been laid. Only one vesel had her searchlights working, while all were lit up, and thereby offered oxccllent targets for torpedo attack. The raid was sudden; unexpected, quickly over, and effective. J "Before the Russian alarm was responded to, and the guns manned, tho Japnnese boats had delivered'their attack and-were gone, having escaped without the slightest damage, while, on the other hand, two Russian battleships and one cruiser had been damaged to such-an oxtont that the command of the sea had been decided at the first blow, and within a few minutes. ~...• ■ "The chief lessons to be learnt from, this attack are: — ', . , . "(1) Dofcnded ports must, be in a complete state of readiness, and bo able to resist attacke from the sea before the actual declaration of war is made. ' "This is somewhat difficult to carry out, as such preparations that would be necessary might be interpreted as an act of war, and thereby compromise the negotiations for a peaceful settlement of tho question at issue. ' "A defeuded port cannot always be kept in readiness to resist attack. Booms may hnvo to be used, submarine mines laid, electric electric searchlights worked from dark till dawn, or field defences prepared, forts manned, men assigned to their positions for action, provision made for reserves to replace casualties, etc., reliefs, and hundreds of other details nttended to before a defended port can be considered fully prepared to resist attack. "When po'litical relations between Great Britain and any other Naval Power are strained to such an extent that a rupturo is possible, a system.of secret mobilisation, and such preparations as are necessary to complete the defences should be carried out as quietly and unostentatiously as possible. Our Permanent Forces should bo employed on look-out duty by night, and also for, manning such works ns are intended for repelling a raid, while the Volunteers should bo mobilised into training camps; and, by instruction in their special duties, brought to a state of absolute proficiency; so that if a port is attacked, previous to war being declared, its defenders will be able to successfully defend themselves. "02). A fleet ,in local waters is apparently unable, to prevent attack on a port at night, and that night attacks on defended ports are the likely tactics of the future.

SECOND ATTACK ON PORT ARTHTJRBOMBARDMENT. "On February 9, after a reconnaisance by three cruisers, Admiral Tdgd ordered a general attack by fifteen ships, which approached tlie port iii single column, line ahead. This attack was earned out by day, and commenced at 11- a.m. The Japaneso fleet opened fire on the forts at a range of,from eight to ten thousand yards'," 'no guns less .than.eight inch being used.

"Tho:objectivevwas'tho fleet; not:the; torts, although "the lire of tho 'Japanese was distiibutod between both. ' Not a single-shot from any Russian ship-hit a Japanese. All tho damage clone by the Russians (and it was not considerable) was done by the guns of the forts.

"The Japanoso Admiral's tactics on this occasion, in fact throughout the campaign, wore such as to avoid bringing his ships to within range of' the' forts. The risk incurred from the firo of the forts was too' great to justify closc-rnngq bomhardmorit. "Eight Japanese vessels woro hit, some sevornl times, by the guns of tho forts, although all hits wore on the superstructure. The damage.'to the batteries on shore was very insignificant, and there wore only four casualties in the Russian Garrison Artillery, while tho damage to tho Russian ships was considerable. The casualties to personnel were 70 Japanese and 61 Russians. "Tho ships were in motion throughout. Tlir effect on tho forts was insignificant,' because of the guns being on high sites. Had tlioy boon loiyer down the effect might havo been as great as against the Russian ships. "Lonn;-range practice had not been included in the Russian system of training by irarrison artillery, with tho result that the shooting from the forts was inaccurate.;' most of tho shells fell short. Only one fort was equipped with an up-to-date range finder, and it wns the only fort able to get effective hits. This fort carried out njood shooting, up to 12,000 yards, n fact which caused Admiral Togo mibs'oquently to keep his ships outsido the 20,000 yards' limit. Tho lessons to bo learned from this attack , are: — . "(lV Direct attack on coast, defences bv any will be in the form of a bombardment (if the. enemy has command of tho sea), and will be carried out at. long range. ' . ■ "(2). If Garrison nvtillcry is expected to entrace an' enomv at 10.000 yards range, then its training should include practice at long ranges, when Rood range-fmdimr. laying and observation of fire are infinitelv more important and more difficult than at short ranges.

TORPEDO BOAT RAID. "On February 13, 1904, in a heavy snowstorm, two attacks by torpedo destroyers wore made; ono attack at 3 a.m., and another at 5 a.m. The boats woro heavily fired on by tho forts, but none of tho boats wore hit.

"(Lppsoiir.—Torpedo boat raids are most probable lit night. Darkness and bad weather do not act as a ■ deterrent, but rather favour this form of attack. Tho failure of the Russians to hit tho Japanese boats is largely attributable to their lack of training in night firing. This is the most important lesson for us to consider, and more night firing should be cariod out in our annual practice.) RECONNAISSANCE ATTACK ON VLADIVOSTOCK. "A reconnaissance attack was mado by seven Japanese vessels by day, on June 3, 1904. • The range was 16,500 yards; 200 shells were fired, but no damage was done to tho forts, and tho Russian batteries made no reply to tho Japanese firo. , "(Lesson.—ln reconnaissance attacks, do not reply to the enemy's fire and thereby reveal to him the exact, position of your guns, but wait until his attack is developed iuto a reality. SIXTH ATTACK ON PORT ARTHUR— •'BLOCKADE MINING. "During tho night of October 3, 1904, torpedo boats laid down some special blockado mines, the invention of Captain Oda. The boats were fired on by tho forts, but, as usual, without offect. During tho day following, in order to ontico tho Russian ships out, the Japanese carried out an indirect bombardment from a position where the forts could not bring their fire to bear. The rango wns 13,000 yards and was directed by the aid of a map. After this date there were frequent bombardments of this kind, and in most cases the firo was effective.

"(Lesson.—Fixed defences are of littlo use if not supplemented by movable armament of fairly large, calibre. 'Blockade mining cannot well be averted by gun defence alone; some more active defence is necessary, such as a submarine, boat for'each'port.) "Garrison Gunner" thus summarises his conclusions: — "(1). Dp fended ports must be ready to repel an attnek previous to declaration of war. "(2). Monccuvrcs- should periodically be held for training purposes to rehearse (a) preliminary phase; (b) attacks .of nature mentioned in this article. "(3). Long-range firing by dny and Q.i. practice by night must not bo neglected by garrison gunners in noaco time if they want to profit by the experience-of the Russians. "(i). Passive defence in these dan of block-

ado mining is insufficient. Each important harbour should include in it« defence a submarine vessel.

"(5). The personal element in wn is just ai important a factor as before modern gun 6 were introduced, and the coast artillery gunners— in fact, every Volunteer—must be tiained to the Inchest pitch of perfection if he is to successfully resist the attacks to which defended ports are now liable. "(6). An enemy attacking a port with a view to its capture will land-at'some point on the coast clear of the fixed defences; therefore our land defences must be looked to. Our infantry and mounted troops must,be trained to work in conjunction with the forts. Wo must all realise that we exist to resist attack from the sea, and the raison d'etre of the New Zealand Forces is Coast Defence."

TRAINING THE YOUNG SHOT. THE SUB-TARGET MACHINE. The Education Department is at present considering the merits of an electrical device known us the sub-target machine. The cost of this contrivance is, approximately, £57, and its arrangement is such that it can easily bo transported from one instructional centre to another. The machine can be used in a room measuring 30ft., and no ammunition is required. The value of the sub-target machine lies in the effective practice in sighting and aiming which can. bo done with it. Usually a Lee-Enfield service rifle is attached to the mechanism, although there is nothing to prevent the attachment, when the target is being constructed, of a smaller rifle. The self-re-gistering mechanism consists of a needle indicator attached to'the \ rifle, which us mounted on a universal .bearing.' .This indicator shows the slightest unsteadiness on the. part of the person who handle's, the. rifle. Tho ranges arc proportionately ehown, and the value of the shots is recorded 'by an electrical registoriug apparatus. .. • Apropos of the sub-taVget machine referred to, and the. objections which may bo raised on the score of its cost, the following, description of a cheap and easily constructed movable target machine should ba of interest :— . ~...•

"The best suggestion yet supplied for a cheap, easily constructed, and sufficiently satisfactory movable target is from Mr. Price, a draughtsman of tho Defence Office, who has erected.one at Wellington. This range, which is twentyfive yards long, is traversed by wire- having a gentle grade down to. the firme-point. ..The tin. targets are clipped to a steel rod haying rollers attached to tlie wire. The wire at the target end is fixed in position, but ,at ing-point is attached:to a slotted timber, upright. The advantage of the gear, consists,in tho fact that the rifleman, by depressing the wire after his shot, alters the- grade, .and biinps the targets to him, and can , thus, ascertain the, value of his-shot. Variations'ol this ingenious: plan oughl; to ba readily, afld cheaply constructed by any handy man. . ''"

" A REALISTIC BOMBARDMENT. There stood on Dartmoor recently the strangest village in England. It sprang'up J , in a day or two and it disappeared'in a.tew'" ' hours, sacrificed to the efficiency of the Royal •■-••■ Artillery. It was built of wooden frames -i : and canvas on the brow of Oxtend Hill) giv- ' ing a spacious range, with a fine sky lino, ■'; ■ AH round was a wilderness of gorse , and heather. The village was; almost startling in its realism. A church and spire orersha'd- ' owed tho main street, says the "Standard."' "Arcadiaii-looking cottages were relieved by "• tho Oxtend Arms and a hospital flying the ■-■;'•. red cross flag, a windmill, the arms of which ' leisurely revolved in the warm wind, and a farmhouse." Smoke actually curled irorn one of the chimneys.' But the most remarkable feature-was the collection ; of dummy- • figures. Men, women, horses, and cattle were scattered about the silent street, .supported by wires! Tho purpose of this ela- > borate preparation was to test the range and power of the new 60-pounder guns. The artillery came into action shortly after, ten in the morning in ideal weather, and fire was. maintained for three hours, at ranges from, 1000 to 2000 yards. A most dramatic incident -was a'charge- 1 of'dummy.' cavalry; : The ''horsemen • came - skimming ■' down a tramway line' l Hi ( 'niSs ! lst,ylO7i'''but as!-'" they entered the fire-swept zone they toppled ' • and vanishod liko rotten apples from a galeshaken tree. No more realistic bit ofl-rni-' •* hiio warfare has surely ever been enacted.! . T The state of Oxtend village after the uom-, ' hardmenfc was a splendid testimony! to. the - terrible potency of---'tho;new guns.;- -X'iM church spire was like a sieve. Many corpses lay among, the debris of the cottages, and. a • little imagination conjured up a ghastly picture. The "Standard" correspondent was informed that the result of the test'exceeded . expectations. Nothing could live within--10,000 yards of a battery of the new 60-- , pounders. ' ■ ' - •':-■■'

NATIONAL MILITIA. , ; '. ; COMPULSORY CADET. SYSTEM. . It is anticipated, says an Australian «x« change, that when the federal Premier makes his statement' regarding havar uefence'at the close of the tariff debate' he will have an important announcement t<l give Parliament concerning the reorganisation of military work. The matter has beer ; under consideration for some time past, anc , will come before the Cabinet Under tho new scheme both'-.volunteer and mm ; . tia will be morged into a national militia. It is •■ understood that the oft-propounded idea of what will bo practically a .compulsory • cadet system for .schoolboys will be _ the basis of the proposal. Tho training of boys will bo in the form of exercises which will lead to physical development; rifle instruction, and elementary drill. The senior cadet system will bo expanded, ..the .ago-of 18 being tho maximum for this class of service after' which will come the National Militia, consisting of, young men of. from 18 to about 22 years. This, it is expected, will result in about 100,000 young men being available who, in the course ot 12 months,/ will have gone through a physical develop-•■ ment course, and'military training. -'With the abolition of tho militia the payment or; £6 por annum per man will be diverted .to tho expenditure on National Militia., bis-■ teen drills per annum will bo from each adult, which the militiamen do at presont to earn tho allowance, following on ■ the National Militia will come the rifle olub system, which is being strongly encouriged • bv tho administration; and on tho mintia nion completing their training, they.wil bo induced, as much as possible,, to join clubs taking part in voluntary warning, in' held manoeuvres, and field firing , ..-

' GENERAL ITEMS., ' ... ' The Petone Navals followed lip their- brilliant performance at Fort . Kelburne rocentlv by winning the Morse signalling competition at the military ■tournament rt klmorston North last Monday. The squad, which was under C.P.O. Pnirent. MnaJ* 5$ points out of a possible 60. In.the buglers' competition, the company s representation,■ Bugler Bowman added another Tictory. A team of bovs from the Petono District High 'School, trained by G.P.O. Parraiit, carried off the cadets' physical training event. •■, The following N.C.O.'s ot No. 6 Co N.Z. Engineer Volunteers have passed their qualifying examinations:—For Corporals—Sappers G. A. Baker, A. Bonar, J. p Christeson, AV. Gapes, V. Gapes, C. Gapes, and Corp. W. A. Collett. For bor■geants—Corp. P. Elliot, and Sorgt; H. Mit-. ciioii .-•■'.•)• Lieut. A. Marshall, of the Civil Service Rifles, and Acting-Lieut. J. Prendevilli, br the Eketahuna Mounted Rifles, will present, themselves for examination on December 4. Tho Horetaunga . Mounted ; Rifles \ will paraclo at tho Central Drillshed at 2-p.m. to-day, preparatory tx) going into camp at Mirainar. The corps sent representative teams to tho military tournament at Palmerston North, and tho men are somewhat chagrined at the treatment which they.rc-i ceived. It was understood that horses wouldbe provided for tho use of tho men competing, but on arrival at l'almorstou it was discovered that no horses were available, and the teams were therefore unable to compote. ' ' 1 Tho training-ship Amokura • returned to Wellington on Thursday night, after a cruise in the Sounds, during which the ship's com-', pleinent of 52 boys received a practical introduction to the "Way of tho Navy" at sea. The Amokura will proceed to Lyttelton at the end of the year in order to be present at the regatta to bo held on Now Vear's Day. Boats' crews from the ship will take part in the races. :■•' Tho Government has accepted tho services of the following defence rifle clubs:— l'ihnuia. Pohanguia, Kakahi. and Kqmako. f