DEFENCE NOTES

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 148, 18 March 1939, Page 5 (Supplement)

DEFENCE NOTES

Corps Of Signals Annual Camp EVERY MEMBER OF UNIT PRESENT

(By

Liaison.)

Central District Corps of Signals returned to Wellington on Saturday evening after having spent two weeks under canvas at Waiouru military camp. The camp was an unqualified success in all departments. Ideal weather. combined with the enthusiasm shown by all membens of the unit, enabled a high standard of work to be attained. Every member of the unit was present in camp. As central District Signals is now up to tun establishment this may be claimed to be a proud achievement. This high attendance was made possible only by the cooperation of Colonel McNamara, Direct - of Signals and Director-General of rhe Post and Telegraph Department. Io enable the release of all members of rue unit,’ considerable staff changes had to be made. Controlling officers and workmates all made sacrifices.

The first week in camp was spent mainly in preparation for classification, tests, and examinations for "crossed Hags were carried out at the conclusion ot the week's work. Fine results were obtained, and though TO per cent, to oO per cent of the signal personnel were recruit® a total of 44 gained their "crossed flags. The successful candidates were: —-Sgt. rl. Roatz, J. L. Peoples, J. R. Murphy, Cpl. H. G. R. Tolley, L-Cpl. F. R. Uaymaii’ D. J. Maher, T. C. Tritt, AV. G. Bedford, T. G. Healey, Sgm. R. K. Simpson, Goodwin, J. 11. Davies, M. E. Wilson, Cameron, Pederson, Clarke, E. H. Jones, A. Bruce, Brien, Bragger, O. G. Prouse, Conway, F. Coventry, F. AV. Wass, M. J. Davies, Livingstone, Miller, A. Schdroski, D. 0. Walker, E. M. Gray, 11. S. Needham, T. J. Nation, F. M, O’Reilly, J. F. Locke, Hamlin, P. J. Brennen, R. R. S. Coulton, Cudby, J. A. Cattral, A. Bradley, M. G. Wilson, AV. J. Dorwood, S. AA r . G. Bishop, J. A. Gaze. Of the remainder the majority are members of transport, cable, and H.Q. sections who are not normally engaged as operator signals, and consequently are not required to classify for "crossed flags.” The keenness of the recruits was in evidence when it was discovered that a number of signal men who were on light duties within the tent lines had obtained equipment from the store and were practising when they might have been restOne of the most important developments of the camp was the formation of complete Infantry and Artillery Brigade signal sections. These sections worked in their new formations during the tactical exercise carried out at the latter part of the second week and performed very well. Gunners for Camp.

The 17th Medium Battery, which years ago was known as the Petone Navals, returned from ‘their annual camp at AVaiouru. Though under present establishment this battery is allowed a complement of five officers, and 57 N.C.O.’s and men, the camping period was attended by approximately 70 other ranks and five officers. This year’s camp training was divided into two separate sectors,* the first week, from February 18 to 25, being a technical and tactical course, and tfie second week, from February 25 to March 4, being devoted to movements of the battery by means of the new mechanized equipment and three days’ live-shell practice. Much valuable and interesting work was done, and, with, the increased numbers in camp, it was possible to reach further afield and- cover a wider scope of artillery work than has been the case for some years.

Wellington Regiment. On, Thursday night the now customary large parade of the AVellington Regiment was working on a full and interesting syllabus. In the Headquarters Company, the signal section was 'being trained in- visual signalling by lamp, in preparation for their tactical scheme this weekend. The signallers are assuming that a raiding force has landed in Turakina Bay and occupied the gun emplacements at Raimer Head with a view to bottling up units of the fleet in AVellington. The signallers will work over the hills froip Scots College to Raimer Head, as they would if accompanying the counterattack.

The intelligence section was working on reeonnaisance reports made during camp, and also on co-operation with signals in the passing of messages from O.P.’s to Bn. Headquarters. The motor-cyclists were engaged on recruit training, with Lewis gun work for the older hands. In _B company the first period was devoted to a lecture, illustrated with blackboard and sandtable, of the effect on tactics of blister gases, and the second period to rifle training for recruits and Lewis gun for the remainder. O Company is rehearsing guard-mount-ing, grenade firing, and squad drill for the Easter gala week under the auspices of the Hutt association; when one night is to be devoted to a combined display by 'infantry and artillery. , c ... D Company was checking and fitting web equipment for the first period. Their syllabus .for the remainder of the year will carry on from elementary gun drill to night firing and use of instruments. The next battalion parade on March 23 will be in the new blue uniforms, and the public is invited to look in at the Garrison Hall during the evening, lhe turn-out' of the battalion will give satisfaction to all who have pressed for the issue of a smart undress uniform. Captain R. E. Murray has been granted the temporary rank of major., while seconded to Army Headquarters. AA ellington. . , , Sergeant D. AV. Sinclair has been promoted to the rank of second-lieutenant. Transfers have been announced ,as follows Lieutenant R. E. Broberg from the Reserve of Officers to be lieutenant with seniority from September 6. 1J34, posted to Ist Bnttalian, The Wellington Regiment (CAVO), and attached to the New Zealand Army Service Corps. Musketry for Engineers.

The Second Field Company. N.Z.E., under Second-Lieutenant V. F. Connoliy, has left for Treutham. where the annual musketry course is to be fired. Jo be efficient for the year all must fire the prescribed course and qualify. The immediate treatment ot wound.., sprains and fractures, ever a matter ot moment iu the field, whh the subject ot • talk given by the medical officer, Captain D. Brown, last Monday evening. It is intended to give further talks later. Next Monday evening the unit lor the first time will parade in the recently issued blue uniforms. Social evenings henceforth will acquire an added lustre. Raumati Beach, I’araparaumu, wil. present a (scene of unusual activity tins weekend when the unit goes into bivouac. Beach defences is the subject of the training scheme, embracing the preparation of a section of trench with, barbed wire obstacles, and the effective siting ot artillery and machine-gun emplacements by day and night. An interesting feature is the proposal to take an aerial photograph of the site with a view to demonstrating the effect of adequate camouflage. A tactical exercise involving road blocks, tank and armoured car obstacles and the placing of mines is also included. The camp site is ideal from the point of view of gunnery, and, with the very pleasant surroundings, the consensus ot opinion expressed by the troops was that they were sorry the camp did not continue for a further fortnight. The battery was under the command of Captain A. Ainslie, N.Z.A., who had with him as second in command Captain A. E. Lambourne, and his other officers were Lieutenants J. Tait, D. J. Sweetzer and H. H. Babbington. The spiritual guidance of the troops was in the hands of Lieutenant-Colonel Wilson, New Plymouth, and the medical needs were attended to by Captain Hope-Robertson.