CAMPS AND THE MEN

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2742, 10 April 1916, Page 6

CAMPS AND THE MEN

TWELFTH IN NIGHT OPERATIONS

SPORTS AT EASTER

The chief topic of conversation in Trentham Camp at tho present' lime is tin; big sports meeting which is to be held on Good Friday. Oil Saturday morning posters detailing the events on the prognunmo were posted in every hutment. The result Jias been a keen interest on the' part of botli soldiers who have been in camp some time and the recruits who entered camp last week. There seems little doubt that there will bo'large entries for all events on tho programme, every ono of which is open to members of the Expeditionary Forcos and tho camp staffs without charge. Tho Wellington Racing Club's course at Trentliam, where the sports are to be hold, will be thrown open to tho public on Good Friday. A good holiday service of trains will bo run at holiday fares, and refreshments will bo provided on the grounds. As woll as providing a pleasant outing, there should be somo good racing, as tho prizes aro substantial ones. Twelfth at Morrison's Bush. Following tho example of the Eleventh Reinforcements, on tho eve of their departure from Featherston Camp for Trentliam, tho Twelfth Reinforcements engaged in night operations on Friday night, which culminated in an attack at dawn upon a position between Morrison's Bush and Papawai. Tiicurizzle which had been steady, during the afternoon became a downpour after dark. But the soldiers maintained their cheerfulness, and earned out, the operations according to plan. E and F Companies formed an outpost line near Morrison's Bush, this force constituting the defenders. A and B Companies proceeded to Papawai, and C, D, G, and H Companies were placed at the Tauherenikau River, at the junction of the Morrison's Bush and Grey-: town Roads. The disposing of these forces was accomplished by nightfall.' The rain continued till about seven o'clock; after that timo tho night was line and clear. The Tauherenikau force had a live-mile march to do during the night. It deployed, at the end of the march, in readiness to make a frontal attack at dawn. The force from Papawai had not so far to march. It- deployed in a similar way, but on the defenders' right flank.- When the signal was given, the Tauherenikau force attacked with remarkable vigour, and F Company, of the defending force, had to give way, being cleverly handled by its commander, in its retreat to where the main body would have been located, had there boen one. E Company was still holding its own valiantly against the Papawai attackers when the signal to cease fire was given. After breakfasting in the field, tho troops marched back to camp. The Twelfth will march across the Rimutaka Hill next Thursday. New Musketry Course. An addition to the musketry course of the A'ew Zealand Forces is knowa as lira demonstration, and consists of teaching officers and n.0.0.'s ' how to pick up targets in tho field under fire. Tho oliicers and n.0.0.'s of tho Twelfth Infantry Reinforcements had their first lesson in this branch of musketry on Friday afternoon. Tho whole of the 12th Infantry was marched to Papawai, preliminary to their night operations, and while the men lunched and rested, tho officers and n.c.o.'s were taken in hand by Major Neave, who was assisted by Captain Wallingl'ord and SergeantMajor tlendy." :.Thc Chief of Staff;' Colonel C. M. Gibbon, was present, also Lieutenant-Colonel N. P. Adams, Commandant at Featherston, and Lionten-ant-Colonel C. R. Macdonalu, Chief Infantry Instructor. A rifle was first sighted on a target across the river, and then the oliicers had to pick up tho target from tho rifle-sights, and write down a description of it, and what instructions they would give their men in firing at it. They also estimated the rango. Squads of men were next brought up to carry out the orders of different officers, the class observing carefully where tho bullets struck. Members of the Instructional Staff afterwards gave the exact range with proper descriptions of the targets, and snowed the results, of tho firing of tho squads. A criticism of the work of the Reinforcement officers and n.c.o.'s followed. One result of the new instruction was to show that to shoot straigiit is not the beginning and ' end of musketry. Finding tho range and giving the men a concise and clear description of the target are just as indispensable. The instruction lasted for about an hour, and was most interesting, as well as valuable. fl More Trenches. . Wiih'tho removal of .the whole of the Engineer Reinforcement drafts to Trentham, a greater activity in tho 1 digging of trenches is observable in t-lie Engineers' training ground. When tho Twelfth Infantry begin their course of training in trench warfare and bombthrowing, they will have more trenches to work in. Moreover, the trenches will be linked together by traverses, and communication trenches, until they closely resemblo those in Flanders. Eventually there will be at Trentham an exact full-sized model of- a section of such trenches as extend from the Engisli Channel to the Vosges. In the officers' quarters at the camp there is a model in miniature of one of ffiese, aud it lias proved of much assistance in the study of trench warfare. A fullsize model will, however, be of greater use, and its early completion will be much appreciated by instructors, officers, and . men, since trench warfare is now regarded as an important part of fclieir training. Soldiers' snapshots developed and printed at Bagley's' Pharmacy, Featherston. All photographic 'supplips at city prices.—Advt. A. E. M. Rowland, the Public Service Jeweller and Optician, 90 Manners Street, offers 15 per cent, discount (3s. in-„thc £) ; to soldiers and their friends when puri chasing for them. Presentation watches, 1 engagement rings, badges, etc.—Advt.