EVENTS IN N.Z.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2275, 8 October 1914, Page 6

EVENTS IN N.Z.

TRAINING THE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE MOUNTED MEN AT UPPER HUTT "'./. A UVELY SKIRMISH ATTACK ON A REARGUARD Four equadrons of mounted troops of the Expeditionary Force carried, out tactical operations at Upper Hutt yesterday. The forces engaged were three SQuadrons comprising the Wellington Mounted Rifles, under command of Lieu- ■ tenant Colonel Meldrum, an a South Canterbury squadron, commanded by Major Wain. The first three squadrons constituted the Brown, or attacking force, and their, objective was "an attack on Wellington, from the Wairarapa, >rnarching via Kaitokq. The South Canterbury squadron, White, of 150 men, were left as a; rear guard of a retiring., force, to cover'the, loading of a quantity of stores at Upper Hutt, for dispatch by train to Wellington. The loading was estimated to take two hours, after which the troops had to blow'up the Upper Hutt station, to prevent its being utilised by the enemy. The Brown forces -were acting on the assumption that a force . retiring on Wellington was encamped at Silverstream. .They were aware .of the loading operations at; Upper Hutt, and orders were given to tho three squadrons to advance and smash this guarding force. -~ .' .. ■ ■■•-•'

The operations began, at 11.15 a.m. wlien the enemy, the Brown force, marched/into the Mangaroa Valley, about-five miles above the Hutt. They proceeded along'the main road till about three miles' from the station, when tho defending force's outposts were reported. Two squadrons immediately proceeded to go down tho river, with the idea of again reaching the,main road above .Upper Hutt. : The third squadron started a moro aggressive action, by attempting to go down the river bed for several miles, with, tho idea of outflanking the defenders. They had the services of the' local guide, and were thus able, to'quickly use the fords of the Hutt River, which winds a devious course through .the valley. The defenders of the station well kEew.'that a.superior force was attempting to cut them off, and Major Wain arranged his small command to check the enemy, and allow him; sufficient time to accomplish his .object, namely, the loading of the stores. He threw out' small advance parties along the roads ; running up from the river, and played a waiting game, the only course he could have followed. At 12.22' p.m. an outpost, along tho river bank got into touch .with the enemy; at a ford about two,miles above the town, on the Hutt River. The first shot was fired there, and within five minutes desultory firing set. in along the river flats, both above and below the first point of contact, thus showing that some- of'the attackers- , had evaded, or been allowed to pass, the White outposts. The riverbed became- the scene of action, but the enemy was held for fully half an hour. <v . Attack on the Heights. lu:the meantime there were scenes-of activity on; the railway line. The track begins the ascent on the way to the Riniutakas just 'after reaching Upper Hutt, and about three miles above tho town; is 20fi.' up the grade, with, a sheer drop to. the valley below. This was a natural spot for the outposts of tho defenders, for it gave an unimpeded view of the flats below, and the general course of the river, though there was ulenty of cover for mounted men along both'river banks. ' 'The defenders soon had a handful of men along this position, which" could be termed their right wing. At first it was only halt a dozen. The men 'began sniping at the outposts of the enemy below on the plans, and good shots would have done a considerable; amount of damage. The position soon attracted the attention or the enemy, and a-ho'ut. fifty men dismounted, and left their horses in tiio shelter of trees along .the road. They had to , do this-or ignore the position, for it was impregnable to cavalry.

' Exposed to Heavy Fire. When tliis force of the enemy began to advance across ■ a field of about 500 yards width they were exposed to a withering fire from the defenders above, Avho had been , ' strengthened to the number of wventy by their own men, who fell back 'from further along the line. The defending force was too Email to hold the position for long, but their rifle fire did havoc amongst the men exposed on the plain 'below, ; until the latter took cover, and returned the fire. What the force of defenders failed to observe was body, of the enemy, also dismounted, had spread out further to the north, and succeeded in climbing to the railway line. They numbered about forty, and when they came rushing down the lino the defenders had to turn and run. • ■ . . Defenders Hold Out. Just before the two hours were.up the operation was brought to a close. The clef ending squadron had held out up till this point,' hut they would inevitably hav« been swamped by the squadron of tho enemy which had sue- , 'seeded in getting to their rear, after a successful move along the bed of tho river.. After the operation waa over tho men and-horses appeared to be still fresh. The horses especially stood tlie rough work and the hot weather very These operations were of distinct advantage in the training of tho officers, in handling field troops. ■ A free hand is usually given to.officers commanding units, and they, have ,ample scope to exercise their own military powers. In addition the operations axe always observed by officers of the Headquarters Staff, who afterwards confer with the leaders. Yesterday's exercises ny the mount&a men were watched by Colonel E. W. C Chaytor, 'Adjutant-General. of tho Expeditionary Force-, Colonel W. G. Bnutbwaite, General Staff Officer, and Colonel A H. Russell, commanding the Wellington Mounted Rifles Brigade. Tho umpires for tho Brown forces were-Lieutenant-Colonel Gibbon, Chief of the New Zealand" General Staff, Major A. E Loach. Canterbury Infantry Battalion, and Captain C. G.Fowles, Bri-gade-Major to the- Mounted Uifiee Brigade. Tho umpire for Hio White force was Major P. J. Wain. Bth (South Canterbury) Squadron. Colonels Chaytor and Braithwaite subsequently pointed out several matters of interest to tho mounted rifles commanders. The sth (Nelson) Squadron, which ft also camped at Trentham, did not participate in yesterday's manoeuvres, but put in musketry practice. infantry Tactics. The Canterbury and Otago Infantry Battalions will engage in battle at Karori to-day. The Canterbury 'Battalion (Blue) will attack Wellington, nnd will be mot by the Otago BatEalffin (Red) somewhere near Karori Park and Parkvalo Road. A good spot for witnessing: the battle will be in tho vicinity of tho'break-wind on the Makarn-Karori BoaQ. All branches of tho Expeditionary Force are busily engaged each day, jcarryjiifi; put -the, training instructions

issued last week. The Trentham range accommodates a battalion of infantry a day, and the men are making good progross in their snooting. The camps present a busy scene, for units of riiounted men aro all day moving hi and around the plains adjacent to them. The big concentration at Hurt Park on Saturday promises to be of great interest, and the force will bo seen to tho best advantage then.